By Our Reporter
Today, on the one-year anniversary of U.S. Secretary of State Antony Blinken’s determination that members of the Sudan Armed Forces and the Rapid Support Forces (RSF) were committing war crimes, and that RSF forces and allied militias had engaged in crimes against humanity, including ethnic cleansing, U.S. Senator Ben Cardin (D-Md.), Chair of the Senate Foreign Relations Committee, issued the following statement calling on the Biden administration to use the U.S. presidency of the United Nations (UN) Security Council to lead efforts to protect civilians, deliver critical humanitarian aid, and hold perpetrators of atrocities in Sudan accountable:
“A year has passed since Secretary Blinken declared the brutal acts in Sudan as war crimes and crimes against humanity. Just as Secretary Colin Powell’s historic genocide determination before the Senate Foreign Relations Committee nearly two decades ago demanded bold action, we must once again act decisively to end the suffering of the Sudanese people. In the wake of these findings, over 100,000 lives have been lost, and millions are on the brink of famine.
“The Sudanese people continue to endure relentless suffering and grief, their hopes overshadowed by violence and despair. Such misery cannot be ignored. The Secretary should update his determination to expose the ongoing brutality in Sudan – whether genocide, war crimes or crimes against humanity – and shine a spotlight on the realities the Sudanese people face. More importantly, the United States must lead collective action with a comprehensive strategy, including targeted sanctions, to immediately end the violence.
“The Biden administration must use its presidency of the UN Security Council to drive meaningful action: establishing mechanisms to protect civilians, delivering urgent humanitarian aid, and holding perpetrators accountable. Failure to act would be a moral stain on us all. Delays are inexcusable. Time is running out to save lives, deliver aid, and empower Sudan’s people – not armed groups driven by violence – to shape their nation’s future. The Sudanese people have shown extraordinary courage amid devastation, family loss, and shattered dreams for democracy. That courage must be met with a global commitment to protect the innocent and forge a path to peace.”