Enough Project Applauds Appointment by Secretary Kerry:
Perriello Named Special Envoy to DR Congo, Great Lakes
“Appointment fills a major hole in U.S. policy and creates a real opportunity for great progress"
July 6, 2015 (Washington, DC) — U.S. Secretary of State John Kerry announced former U.S. Representative Tom Perriello (D-VA), as the new U.S. special envoy for Africa's Great Lakes region and to the Democratic Republic of the Congo.
The Enough Project warmly welcomes the appointment of Tom Perriello as U.S. Special Envoy and thanks him for his service as Special Representative for the Quadrennial Diplomacy and Development Review. His experience working on African peace processes and his commitment to justice and working with local civil society groups make him an ideal fit for this position.
John Prendergast, Enough Project Founding Director, said: "Tom Perriello is well positioned to pick up where former envoy Russ Feingold left off. Congo is facing some huge challenges during the next year, and the U.S. government is uniquely placed to support outcomes that prioritize peace and human rights protection. Ensuring the integrity of the electoral process, supporting further reforms in the mineral sector, catalyzing effective operations against rogue armed groups in the east, pressing for more effective demobilization programs for ex-soldiers and better livelihood programs for ex-miners are all issues that Perriello and the U.S. Government can influence positively. This appointment fills a major hole in U.S. policy and creates a real opportunity for great progress."
Sasha Lezhnev, Associate Director of Policy at the Enough Project, said: “Secretary Kerry's appointment of Tom Perriello is very timely. Congo is going through a tumultuous time before its pivotal elections planned for 2016, and Tom Perriello brings much needed creative energy and dedication to resolving human rights issues. He will need to use robust tools to help keep the region from plunging into war again. We urge him in particular to focus on addressing the smuggling of conflict gold and other resources that are fueling armed groups and high-level military corruption.”
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ABOUT THE ENOUGH PROJECT
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The Enough Project is a project of the Center for American Progress aiming to end genocide and crimes against humanity. Founded in 2007, Enough focuses on the crises in Sudan, South Sudan, eastern Congo, Central African Republic, Somalia, and areas affected by the Lord’s Resistance Army. Enough conducts intensive field research in conflict zones, develops practical policies to address these crises, and shares sensible tools to empower citizens and groups working for change. For more information, visit www.EnoughProject.org