The newly created nation of the Republic of South Sudan will be the focus of a hearing Thursday held by U.S. Rep. Chris Smith (NJ-04), chairman of the House congressional panel that oversees Africa and international human rights. The U.S. Special Envoy for Sudan, USAID and other experts will testify.

The hearing, entitled “Africa's Newest Nation: The Republic of South Sudan,” will be before the Subcommittee on Africa, Global Health and Human Rights. Testimony will address recent developments in the African nation and the region.

Who:        Congressman Smith, Chairman of the human rights subcommittee on the Foreign
                 Affairs Committee, and other subcommittee Members; The Honorable Princeton 
                 Lyman, Special Envoy for Sudan U.S. Department of State; Rajakumari 
                 Jandhyala, Deputy Assistant Administrator, Bureau for Africa, U.S. Agency for 
                 International Development; Eduardo Hiiboro Kussala, Bishop, Diocese of Tambura
                 -Yambio; John Eibner; Chief Executive Officer Christian Solidarity International–USA;
                 Dana Lyons Wilkins, Campaigner, Global Witness, and; The Honorable Roger 
                 Winter, Former Special Representative on Sudan, U.S. Department of State.

When:      Thursday, June 16 @ 2 p.m.

Where:     2172 Rayburn House Office Building.