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STATEMENT: U.S. Needs to Build on Secretary Kerry’s Initiatives in South Sudan to Prevent Genocide and Famine

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STATEMENT: U.S. Needs to Build on Secretary Kerry’s Initiatives in South Sudan to Prevent Genocide and Famine

Posted by Enough Team on May 2, 2014

For Immediate Release: 2 May 2014
Contact: Christina DiPasquale, 202.716.1953Christina@fitzgibbonmedia.com

STATEMENT: U.S. Needs to Build on Secretary Kerry's Initiatives in South Sudan to Prevent Genocide and Famine

Today, as Secretary Kerry visits Juba in his effort to prioritize civilian protection throughout South Sudan, The Enough Project released the following statement from Co-Founder John Prendergast, former Director for African Affairs at the National Security Council:

“Two words that never should be used lightly are beginning to be heard with alarming frequency in South Sudan today: genocide and famine.  The danger of both is clear and present, and state collapse threatens.  Targeting people on the basis of their identity and obstructing humanitarian access puts hundreds of thousands of lives at immediate risk.

"Full support should be given to deploying troops from neighboring states to protect civilians who are most vulnerable to being attacked, raped or killed on the basis of their ethnicity.   

"At the same time, meaningful consequences must be deployed for the commission of war crimes.  The U.S. should work closely with neighboring states and the African Union to freeze the assets of those South Sudanese rebel or government officials found to be orchestrating human rights crimes.  These officials own fixed assets and have accounts in Kenya, Uganda, Ethiopia, South Africa and Dubai, but a great deal of diplomatic effort will need to convince those governments to act. 

"Furthermore, the creation of a mixed special court — partly international, partly South Sudanese — would enhance the potential for justice and accountability for those that have orchestrated some of the worst crimes.  If the idea emerges, it should be fully supported by Secretary Kerry."

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To speak to an Enough Project spokesperson, please contact Christina DiPasquale at 202.716.1953 or Christina@fitzgibbonmedia.com.

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The Enough Project is a project of the Center for American Progress to end genocide and crimes against humanity. Founded in 2007, Enough focuses on the crises in Sudan, South Sudan, eastern Congo, and areas affected by the Lord’s Resistance Army. Enough conducts intensive field research, develops practical policies to address these crises, and shares sensible tools to empower citizens and groups working for change. To learn more about Enough, go to www.enoughproject.org.