Blog — Sudan Unlimited

Dear Members of Congress,

The people of Sudan continue to bravely and peacefully protest the Bashir regime in their difficult struggle for freedom, democracy, justice and genuine peace.

The people of Sudan have, for decades, counted on bipartisan support from Congress as they have struggled to survive a regime intent on changing the identity of Sudan while stealing the resources of the country.

Senator Frist of Tennessee, Senator Feingold of Wisconsin, Congressman Frank Wolf of Virginia, the late Congressman Donald Payne of New Jersey and many other Members of Congress have resolutely stood together against genocide and for democratic transformation in Sudan.

Please consider how you can contribute to this long and noble legacy of Congress on behalf of the people of Sudan.

Many thanks to Rep. Karen Bass and Rep. Jim McGovern for their important statements this past week.

Please find below new information and analysis on Sudan for your reference.

Best regards,

Esther Sprague
Sudan Unlimited

Troika (United States, United Kingdom and Norway) and Canada Statement - February 26, 2019
Declaration by the High Representative on behalf of the EU on the situation in Sudan - February 28, 2019
HART Visit Report: South Sudan and the Nuba Mountains - February 25, 2019
Declaring State of Emergency Disqualifies Bashir’s Regime from Strategic Dialogue with Europe and the De-Listing of Sudan as a State Sponsor of Terrorism with the U.S. - February 22, 2019
Enough Project Statement: U.S. corporate investment should not be promoted in Sudan while the country is in turmoil - February 27, 2019
International Crisis Group - Bashir Moves Sudan to Dangerous New Ground - February 26, 2019
Lemkin Summit Ask (House): Support bipartisan Sudan legislation that is currently being drafted by Rep. McGovern that would prohibit removing Sudan from the State Sponsors of Terrorism list and other sanctions relief in response to recent protests and the urgent need to advance human rights, good governance, rule of law, and end to corruption, and unimpeded delivery of humanitarian aid.
An Urgent Appeal from Concerned Sudanese Americans in the Washington Area
- We, the concerned Sudanese Americans in the Diaspora, respectfully request your support of the people of Sudan regarding the brutal crackdown on peaceful protesters at this critical time.
  Since the start of the peaceful protest on 19/12/2018 there has been over 57 death and hundreds of injuries and thousands of unlawful detention protester by the NISS. The Regime in Sudan has enforced a state of Emergency to oppress peaceful protesters .Please do not fall for their tactics, but instead, please send the important message that you are standing with the people of Sudan, not the perpetrators of genocide and mass atrocities and the proponents of terrorism worldwide. The United States has made it very clear what the government of Sudan must do to normalize relations. Please do not move the goal posts or lower the bar.
  The United States Congress is the symbol of democracy around the world and while the crisis in Sudan is largely overshadowed by other world events, the people of Sudan sincerely appreciate the decades-long commitment by Congress to help Sudanese in need and to support our struggle to find a just and sustainable peace. At this critical time, we would be especially grateful for your continued support.

Last week, we dropped off a packet of information at your office in DC about the ongoing protests in Sudan. We asked you to please stand with the people of Sudan as they struggle for freedom, justice and democracy. We appreciate tweets by Sen. Rubio, Rep. Bonamici, Rep. Crow, and the House Foreign Affairs Committee. In addition, we are grateful for Sen. Booker's recent video statement. If you have made a statement on social media or elsewhere, please let us know so that we can spread your message and encourage the people of Sudan.

We understand, from a facebook post by Yasir Arman, that Secretary of State Mike Pompeo made a statement yesterday on Alhurra TV and "expressed his sympathy for the Sudanese people in the difficult times they are going through and said he hoped that the voices of the Sudanese people would be listened to and that the Sudanese themselves, rather than foreign forces, would make the transition."

Last week, we also asked you to please urge the State Department to expel Mohammed Atta, the current Charge d'Affairs at the Sudan Embassy who was the head of Sudan's security before coming to the U.S. By law, Atta should have been denied a visa because of his involvement in serious crimes such as genocide, torture and religious persecution. In addition, he is a security risk given his longstanding relationship with terrorist organizations. We appreciate the December statement by Sen. Menendez and Sen. Leahy calling for Atta's expulsion.

We are writing today to invite you to a protest and freedom march organized by Sudanese in America to support the people of Sudan who are risking their lives for a better future.

Date: Saturday, February 16, 2019
Time:
12pm Program at the Capitol
3pm March to the White House

Please find enclosed additional information about the situation in Sudan for your reference. If we can answer any questions, please let us know.

Best regards,

Esther Sprague
Founder/Director
Sudan Unlimited

Enclosed

Statement by Lord Alton on February 14, 2019 calling on the UK to discontinue its dialogue with the Sudan government
Presentation by Yasir Arman at Oxford University on February 8, 2019, "The Sudanese Revolution: A Different Political Landscape and a New Generation Baptized in the Struggle for Change"Independent Movement - full list of Sudanese killed and arrested as of February 3, 2019
Independent Movement - full list of Sudanese killed and arrested as of February 3, 2019
The Arab Media Network for Crisis condemns the abduction and detention of journalists and the continued security control of newspapers
Sudan Doctors Syndicate New Trends of Violence Against Civil Protestors in Sudan
Human Rights Watch - Sudan: Video Footage Shows Extreme Violence, Abuse, UN Investigation of Response to Protests Urgently Needed
African Arguments - Sudan: A genuine, peaceful people’s revolution in the making
BBC Africa - Sudan’s Secret Hit Squads Used to Attack Protests