The newly-created nation of the Republic of Southern Sudan and the sobering threats to both peace and the hopes for an end to suffering were the focus of a hearing Thursday held by U.S. Rep. Chris Smith (NJ-04), chairman of the House Subcommittee on Africa, Global Health and Human Rights.
“We are nearly on the eve of independence for Southern Sudan, yet many issues remain unresolved,” said Chairman Smith, a senior member on the Foreign Affairs Committee. “There is the undefined border, citizenship questions regarding southerners living in the North, governance issues for the post-independence nation, equitable sharing of oil revenues, the question of the liberation and repatriation Sudanese still held in bondage and, of course, the continuing northern military attacks. Now we must do all we can to help this new nation come into being in peace and help its government to safeguard the life and liberty of its people.” Click here to read Chairman Smith’s opening remarks.
The hearing, entitled “Africa's Newest Nation: The Republic of Southern Sudan,” addressed recent worrisome developments in the region, and aims to promote a stable democracy, end recent violence between the north and south along the border area, secure the freedom of thousands of slaves held captive in north Sudan, and the disposition of Sudan’s valuable oil resources.
The Honorable Princeton Lyman, Special Envoy for Sudan, U.S. Department of State, told Smith and the subcommittee he feared that many people in Sudan would not have the same security of those in the new South Sudan, which will officially become independent July 9, and are at significant risk for violence. Millions of people have died in the past, he said.
“The Government of Sudan’s decision to resort to military action rather than resolving problems exclusively through negotiation, if not quickly reversed, will have major consequences for the government and people of Sudan,” Lyman said. “Sudan risks the international support it needs, and which would be readily available, if it does not return to the path of peace and negotiations. Click here to read U.S. Special Envoy Lyman's full written testimony.
Also testifying were (click on name to view testimony):
- 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;
- Roger Winter, Former Special Representative on Sudan, U.S. Department of State.
