Conflicts in Sudan are slated to receive much-needed attention from Congress this week, and activists are gearing up for a flurry of activity while the spotlight is directed at some of the world’s most desperate humanitarian and political crises. The witness roster includes notables such as U.N. Ambassador Susan Rice, U.S. Special Envoy to Sudan Major General Scott Gration, and former U.S. Special Envoy to Sudan Richard S. Williamson.
This week, in the wake of the Abyei Tribunal’s decision to re-draw borders in the critical Abyei region and upon the return from Sudan of U.S. Special Envoy Gration, the Comprehensive Peace Agreement will be a hot topic on Capitol Hill. Senate and House committees will host three hearings dedicated to discussing implementation of the CPA and examining the broader comprehensive strategy for confronting Sudan’s crises.
Wednesday, July 29th
Sudan: U.S. Policy and Implementation of the CPA*
House Subcommittee on Africa and Global Health – Rep. Donald Payne
3:30p.m. – Room 1100, Longworth Building
Confirmed witnesses: Pagan Amum, Sudan People’s Liberation Movement; former U.S. Special Representative to Sudan Roger Winter; John Prendergast, Enough; former U.S. Special Envoy to Sudan Richard Williamson
(*UPDATE: Please note location change and new witness list.)
Thursday, July 30th
Toward a Comprehensive Strategy for Sudan
U.S. Senate Committee on Foreign Relations – Sen. John Kerry
10:00a.m. – 419 Dirksen Senate Building
Confirmed witnesses: U.S. Special Envoy to Sudan Maj. General Scott Gration; Earl Gast, USAID; David Shinn, George Washington University; Mohammed Ahmed Eisa, MD, Sudan Organization for Rights and Peace-Building; Susan Page, National Democratic Institute
A hearing regarding the Comprehensive Peace Agreement
Tom Lantos Human Rights Commission – Rep. Frank Wolf
1:00p.m. – 210 Cannon House Office Building
Confirmed witnesses: John Norris, Enough; Amir Osman, Save Darfur; Ezekiel Lol Gatkuoth, Government of South Sudan Mission-U.S; Roger Winter, former Special Representative on Sudan; Ken Isaacs, Samaritan’s Purse
In addition, a House committee will take up the issue of challenges in international peacekeeping, which will no doubt examine the peacekeeping efforts in Congo and Sudan, which are the world’s two largest missions.
Wednesday, July 29th
New Challenges for International Peacekeeping Operations
House Committee on Foreign Relations – Rep. Howard Berman
10:00a.m. – Room 2172, Rayburn Building
Confirmed witnesses: U.N. Ambassador Susan Rice; former U.S. Special Envoy to Sudan Richard Williamson; Edward Luck, Special Advisor to U.S. Secretary-General; Colonel William J. Flavin (ret.), U.S. Army War College; Erin Weir, Refugees International; Brett Schaefer, The Heritage Foundation
It is promising to see the Congress devote attention to these topics at a time when U.S. leadership is urgently needed to help direct international efforts to tackle the root causes of violence in Sudan and Congo. The decision to call on high-ranking officials to provide testimony signals an encouraging level of commitment to raising the profile of two countries plagued by some of the world’s deadliest and longest-lasting conflicts.
Enough will be live at each of the hearings this week and bring you analysis and activist reactions afterward. Check back here often and follow us on Twitter live from the hearing rooms.