Senior US Democrat mounts new push for peace in Sudan

By Patricia Zengerle and Reade Levinson

WASHINGTON (Reuters) – The highest Democrat on the U.S. Home of Representatives International Affairs Committee will introduce laws on Tuesday that will sanction leaders on either side of Sudan’s civil struggle and prohibit the sale of American weapons to nations fueling the battle, in accordance with a abstract of the invoice seen by Reuters.

The measure – led by committee rating member Gregory Meeks and Democratic Consultant Sara Jacobs, would require the U.S. president to submit a technique to Congress for guaranteeing the supply of humanitarian support and establishing peace in Sudan. It additionally would set up a five-year time period for a particular presidential envoy for Sudan to coordinate U.S. coverage and diplomatic efforts.

The invoice has 12 different co-sponsors, all Democrats.

“Civilian safety is a large concern, and hasn’t been getting sufficient consideration,” a Democratic committee staffer stated.

The invoice’s introduction underscores rising concern in Washington over the battle and devastating humanitarian disaster in Sudan, forward of the Republicans taking management of Congress and Republican President Donald Trump returning to the White Home subsequent month.

Committee staffers stated they might see the measure being mixed with different current payments – similar to a bipartisan Senate measure provided in October – within the coming months.

Struggle erupted in April 2023 between the Sudanese military and the paramilitary Fast Assist Forces (RSF) over a transition to free elections, with tens of hundreds reported useless. The United Nations has stated almost 25 million individuals – half of Sudan’s inhabitants – want support, famine is looming and a few 8 million have fled their houses.

HUMANITARIAN CRISIS

In Darfur, Reuters has documented how the RSF and its allies instigated waves of assaults towards the non-Arab Masalit group that included focused killings, expulsions and rape. The RSF denies it was behind the violence.

U.N. sanctions screens have described as credible accusations that the United Arab Emirates had offered navy help to the RSF. The UAE has denied involvement in navy help to any of Sudan’s rival events.

Citing a current escalation of violence in Darfur, a Democratic International Affairs staffer stated the RSF can be unable to proceed combating on the identical depth with out “vital” international navy help.

“What’s missing is a response and accountability,” the staffer stated, citing what he described as credible stories of UAE help for the RSF.

Involved events have struggled to rally help for peace. Final month, Russia vetoed a U.N. Safety Council draft decision calling on the fighters to stop hostilities and guarantee supply of humanitarian support.

The U.S. has lengthy thought-about the UAE an necessary regional safety companion. In September, it grew to become solely the second nation acknowledged as a serious protection companion, permitting for shut navy cooperation between the 2 nations.