U.S. Senator Ben Cardin (D-Md.), Chair of the Senate Foreign Relations Committee, issued a statement marking one year since the beginning of the civil war in Sudan.
“Today marks the solemn first anniversary of the brutal civil war that continues to tear Sudan apart, a conflict marked by war crimes, crimes against humanity, ethnic cleansing, and potentially even genocide. I stand with the Sudanese people, who by the sheer power of peaceful resistance, pressed for the handover of power from a dictatorial regime to ‘mandania’ – the people. Now, amid the rubble and heartbreak of war, these same patriots are bravely providing a lifeline to their brothers and sisters, putting their own lives and scarce resources on the line. Their actions speak far louder than words to remind the world, and those who seek power through the barrel of a gun, that the vision of change and progress endures. We must hold fast to that vision.
“Unless fighting stops and desperately needed assistance reaches the Sudanese people, this conflict will become another failed chapter of ’Never Again.’ I urge the Special Envoy to Sudan, with whom I met last week in Washington, to continue to work with international partners to devise a plan to protect civilians who are being targeted, press the parties to lay down their arms, and allow for unfettered humanitarian access. Those who have committed human rights abuses must be held to account for these crimes, and those who are fueling the conflict by providing arms and materiel must stop now.
“The resolve of the Sudanese people and the will of the international community to act to protect them are being tested. We must not fail.”