Members Send Bipartisan Letter to Secretary Kerry Calling for Further U.S. Engagement to End the Violence in South Sudan

WASHINGTON, DC – House Democratic Whip Steny H. Hoyer (MD-5), House Committee on Homeland Security Chairman Mike McCaul (TX-10), House Foreign Affairs Committee Ranking Member Eliot Engel (NY-18), Co-Chairs of the Congressional Caucus on Sudan and South Sudan, Reps. Barbara Lee (CA-13) and Mike Capuano (MA-7), Rep. Karen Bass (CA-37), and other Members sent a letter today to Secretary of State John Kerry calling for further engagement by the United States to end the civil violence plaguing South Sudan.  The letter urges the Administration to increase pressure on both sides to resolve their differences through a peaceful, negotiated settlement and notes that continued violence has led to hardship and violence affecting millions of innocent South Sudanese.

“While these leaders stall at the negotiating table,” the letter reads, “South Sudan’s people continue to suffer, with many facing unspeakable brutality: almost two million displaced, and more than 2.5 million facing severe food insecurity.  In the past year, thousands of parents have also seen their young boys recruited into a new generation of violence.  We urge you to increase pressure on the relevant parties to reach a negotiated settlement to this conflict by engaging directly in the IGAD plus peace talks, enacting a U.S. arms embargo, and bringing U.N. sanctions into force.”

“I visited Juba in 2007 and saw firsthand the resilience and hopefulness of the South Sudanese people who yearned for independence and a better future,” Whip Hoyer said.  “The ongoing conflict between forces loyal to President Kiir and former Vice President Machar continues to test that resilience and undermine that hope.  The breakdown of peace talks has further jeopardized the ability of South Sudanese to seek the better future they desire, free from the dangers of death, displacement, and famine.  Just as the United States played a crucial role in securing the country’s independence, so too must we continue to work in support of a peaceful future for South Sudan.  I thank Secretary Kerry for the work he and his team have been doing thus far and look forward to working with the State Department on this important issue in the weeks and months ahead.”

“Throughout this civil war the U.S. has remained unwavering in its commitment to the people of South Sudan who have lost so much as a result of conflict,” said House Committee on Homeland Security Chairman Mike McCaul. “However, after many failed attempts to restore peace resulting in continued suffering among the civilian population, it appears clear that neither President Kiir nor Dr. Riek Machar are interested in solving their differences diplomatically, but rather militarily. It is therefore imperative that the U.S. and international community take immediate actions to stem the flow of arms into South Sudan, as well as hold those accountable who have violated international law.”

“I am deeply disappointed with the lack of progress in South Sudan’s peace talks,” House Foreign Affairs Committee Ranking Member Eliot Engel said.  “I urge all parties to work harder to resolve their differences and reach a peace agreement.  Only then will the people of South Sudan enjoy the stability they deserve and have an opportunity to rebuild their nation.”

“The collapse of peace talks in South Sudan is truly troubling.  With the displacement of more than 2 million people in a little more than a year, it is critical that all parties come back to the table and work to ensure peace and stability in South Sudan.” said Rep. Barbara Lee. “It’s time to turn the page and work to build a stronger, more stable and  more prosperous South Sudan.”

“It is heartbreaking that the people of South Sudan continue to fear for their lives, enduring threats of violence and challenging living conditions while waiting for their leaders to reach agreement,” Rep. Mike Capuano said. “The United States must intensify its efforts to facilitate this agreement, including increasing pressure on negotiating parties through an arms embargo and other means. The people of South Sudan simply cannot wait any longer.”  

“The people of South Sudan worked too long and fought too hard to have this young nation destroy itself with violence," said Rep. Karen Bass. "We have seen too many ceasefires fall apart within hours or days of them being signed.  President Barack Obama has already implemented U.S. sanctions on anyone threatening the stability of South Sudan, as well as those committing human-rights abuses. Like he has done before, Secretary Kerry can use the impact of these sanctions to bring both sides together in to save countless lives in one of the world's newest nations."

The full text of the letter can be found here and below:

Dear Secretary Kerry:

We are writing in light of the latest collapse in South Sudan’s peace talks.  We have been appalled by the failure of the parties to resolve their differences, which we believe reflects an abject failure of leadership, particularly on the part of President Kiir and former Vice President Machar. While these leaders stall at the negotiating table, South Sudan’s people continue to suffer, with many facing unspeakable brutality: almost two million displaced, and more than 2.5 million facing severe food insecurity.  In the past year, thousands of parents have also seen their young boys recruited into a new generation of violence.  We urge you to increase pressure on the relevant parties to reach a negotiated settlement to this conflict by engaging directly in the IGAD plus peace talks, enacting a U.S. arms embargo, and bringing U.N. sanctions into force. 

Last July, we wrote to you reiterating a clear message we had heard from representatives in the region: the United States is critical to bringing the parties together and helping resolve this crisis.  We are grateful for your efforts to support and facilitate the talks to date, and we commend your team, particularly Ambassador Power, on its efforts to enact U.N. Security Council Resolution 2206 last month.  Regrettably, U.S. actions to date, and those of our partners, have yet to alter the behavior of the negotiators or those providing them financial and military support.  In the words of Ethiopia’s Prime Minister, Hailemariam Dessalegn,“the consequences of inaction are the continued suffering of... the people of South Sudan, and the prolonging of a senseless war in [that] country.  This is unacceptable, both morally and politically.” We agree with that statement and encourage you to take stronger steps to end this conflict. We specifically believe that the U.S. should take further advantage of Executive Order 13664, and sanction additional individuals who are undermining the peace process in South Sudan. 

We also encourage you to work with our international partners to give force to U.N. sanctions by passing a second resolution that establishes an arms embargo, and by expediting the Panel of Experts’ investigations so that individuals responsible for driving the violence can be sanctioned. Without taking these steps, the U.N. Security Council will prove what the warring parties already suspect – that they can continue in their recalcitrance with little consequence for themselves.  In the meantime, the people of South Sudan will continue to suffer.  As we have seen in previous Sudanese peace negotiations, talks can take years, and the cost for the South Sudanese people would be devastating.  Only additional pressure will motivate the two sides to end their stalling and reach an agreement.   

Thank you for your attention to this grave crisis, and we stand ready to work with you in the U.S. effort to resolve this conflict. 

Sincerely,

Steny H. Hoyer (MD-5)
Michael McCaul (TX-10)
Eliot Engel (NY-18)
Barbara Lee (CA-13)
Michael Capuano (MA-7)
Karen Bass (CA-37)
John Conyers (MI-13) 
Sanford Bishop (GA-2)
Peter DeFazio (OR-4)
Donna Edwards (MD-4)
Keith Ellison (MN-5)
Raúl Grijalva (AZ-3)
Alcee Hastings (FL-20) 
Sheila Jackson Lee (TX-18)
Eddie Bernice Johnson (TX-30)
Hank Johnson (GA-4)
John Lewis (GA-5) 
Betty McCollum  (MN-4)
Jim McGovern (MA-2)
Gregory Meeks (NY-5)
Gwen Moore (WI-4)
Eleanor Holmes Norton (DC-AL)
Jan Schakowsky (IL-9)
Maxine Waters (CA-43)