The need for a more broad, unified and proactive U.S. government policy that can advance the challenges of the long-term goals of peace and sovereignty that the peoples of Sudan and South Sudan are facing will be the topic of a hearing to be held Wednesday by Congressman Chris Smith (NJ-04), Chairman of the House congressional panel that oversees U.S. policy in Africa.

    “While the U.S. government has been very involved in setting and carrying out policy toward Sudan and South Sudan for the past two decades, our efforts have often been in reaction to crises as they occur rather than in developing a comprehensive response to the broader issues that link the two countries,” said Congressman Chris Smith (NJ-04), chairman of the Africa subcommittee.  “Our hearing will examine the need for a more unified, wider-ranging and proactive policy that can advance the long-term goals of pursuing peace, security and sovereignty issues that the peoples of Sudan and South Sudan are facing.”The hearing of the Committee on Foreign Affairs’ Subcommittee on Africa, Global Health, Global Human Rights, and International Organizations will be held on Capitol Hill.

What:              Entitled “U.S. Policy Toward Sudan and South Sudan,” the hearing will feature the U.S. State Department’ s lead official for Sudan, plus witnesses with expertise regarding human rights and terrorism  in the Sudanese region.

Who:                Rep. Smith, and other members of the House Africa subcommittee, and witnesses: 

• Donald Booth, Special Envoy to Sudan and South Sudan, U.S. Department of State
• Mr. John Prendergast, Co-founder, the Enough Project
• Dr. Walid Phares, Co-Secretary General , Transatlantic Legislative Group on Counter Terrorism
• Adotei Akwei, Managing Director for Government Relations, Amnesty International USA

 When:             Weds. Feb. 26 at 2 p.m.

 Where:             Rayburn House Office Building, Room 2172 (first floor)