Take Decisive Action on the War and Humanitarian Crisis in Sudan

I am writing to you about the war taking place in Sudan between the Sudanese Armed Forces and the Rapid Support Forces. During the past year, Sudan has been transformed into a “humanitarian nightmare” and “catastrophe,” according to UN officials. Today, over 10.7 mil. have been forcibly displaced by the war, with 9 mil. of those being IDPs, constituting the world’s largest internal displacement crisis. The US have been unwilling to apply pressure on critical allies funding this war and arming the two parties. The Sudanese civilians have played no part in this conflict; two forces currently fight to rule a country, neither of which were chosen by its people. It was the international community, including the US, that waysided the civilians and legitimized the rule of the military, accepting the coup on 7/25/21 that laid the groundwork for this war. The US bears a responsibility to the Sudanese people and its large diaspora to provide humanitarian relief to civilians and to apply pressure to help mediate an end to the conflict. Below are our demands: 1. Call for an immediate ceasefire. The US should utilize effective pressure to support a broad international coalition to achieve an immediate humanitarian ceasefire, a monitoring mechanism, safe corridors for humanitarian aid, and resumption of suspended aid operations. 2. Increase development and humanitarian aid to NGOs operating internally in Sudan focused on food and medical aid distribution. The United States government should ensure the safety of food and medical aid to the Sudanese people through NGOs such as the World Food Program and the Red Crescent. Sudan is on the brink of famine with 43% of the population suffering from acute food insecurity, and diseases are spreading. The US government should work to ensure the safe passage of humanitarian aid convoys. 3. Apply pressure on key allies involved in the arming of the warring parties. It is quite clear that the war in Sudan is unsustainable without the foreign allies driving the conflict by arming and financing the two parties, making Sudan’s conflict akin to a proxy war. Leverage US relationships and apply targeted pressure on nations such as the United Arab Emirates & Egypt, whose involvement in the war has led to war crimes, crimes against humanity, and ethnic cleansing. 4. Apply the Arms Export Control Act and Enforce International Traffic in Arms Regulations and Export Administration Regulations on Sudan. The US Government should strictly enforce current legislative tools to prevent the export and proliferation of military-relevant items directly and indirectly to Sudan. 5. Work on the international level to expand the UN Arms Embargo on Sudan and Consider Additional Mechanisms. The US should utilize its role as a permanent member of the UNSC to reaffirm, renew, and expand the existing UN arms embargo and other sanctions on Darfur, Sudan to include the entire Sudan, key individuals in SAF and RSF, and human rights violators.