WASHINGTON – U.S. Representative Pramila Jayapal (WA-07) released the following statement on the growing violence in Sudan:
“I strongly condemn the violence in Sudan, where 44 million people are caught in the crossfire between two military forces. The people of Sudan have been suffering for far too long. For decades, a brutal military dictatorship has denied the Sudanese people their basic human rights. In 2019, the Sudanese people rose up in peaceful protest that inspired the entire world, demanding an end to the dictatorship and a transition to democracy. Despite a horrific crackdown by the military, the people of Sudan refused to give up until the military was forced to step down. A transitional government was formed with the promise of holding free and fair elections in 2023.
“In 2020, I had the opportunity to visit Sudan as part of a Congressional Delegation to meet with the new President in a celebratory moment. I met many of the leaders of the peaceful nonviolent movement, and seeing their courage and resilience continued to give me hope. Today, it breaks my heart to see the country plunged back into chaos and widespread suffering. Too many of the Sudanese people have been displaced from their homes, and face gunfire and critical shortages of food, water, medicine and electricity, even as the heat rises and exacerbates the humanitarian crisis.
“The United States has a long history of standing up for human rights and democracy around the world. Once again, we stand with the people of Sudan. The hostility and violence must end immediately, and we must do all in our power to ensure that there is a comprehensive peace process and that we protect civilians and support a real civilian democratic transformation.”
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