Just back from South Sudan, Rep. Chris Smith (R-NJ), Chairman of the House Africa Subcommittee, obtained a personal pledge from South Sudanese President Salva Kiir and a separate commitment from Defense Minister Kuol Manyang Juuk to issue a zero-tolerance policy for all armed forces against rape, sexual violence and human trafficking.

     The commitment came in meetings with Kiir and Smith on Saturday, August 27^th in Kiir’s presidential compound in Juba, and in a separate meeting with the defense minister and his top generals.

     Pervasive sexual violence by South Sudanese soldiers recently victimized American and international aid workers at the Terrain compound in the capital city of Juba. One of the sexual assault victims—who asked for anonymity—is from Smith’s congressional district.

     “All victims of violence deserve protection and assistance,” said Smith, author of four laws designed to combat human trafficking—including the landmark Trafficking Victims Protection Act of 2000, which, among other things, created the Office to Monitor and Combat Trafficking in Persons at the U.S. State Department, mandates the annual Trafficking in Persons report and provides for up to life imprisonment for human trafficking.

     “Although South Sudanese law currently prohibits rape and sexual abuse, a presidential decree on zero-tolerance for such abuse would send a strong message that such violations will carry immediate consequences—arrest and jail—whether committed by government soldiers or security forces, armed opposition fighters, militias allied to the government or opposition or rival ethnic forces,” Smith explained. “The zero-tolerance decree can be issued and implemented immediately—as promised by the president himself—and could reduce pervasive sexual violence against women and children. These war crimes must stop and the perpetrators held to account.”

     Smith also pressed for unfettered access of humanitarian workers to the estimated 4.8 million people in South Sudan – well over one-third of the population – who are facing severe food shortages.

     The most recent State Department human rights report, as well as similar reports from international organizations and South Sudanese civil society groups, cites widespread human rights violations throughout the country. These include ethnic-based extrajudicial killings, mass displacement of civilians, rape and sexual slavery through unrestrained trafficking in persons, arbitrary arrests and detentions, kidnappings and the recruitment and use of child soldiers.

     Smith praised the U.S. Embassy team headed by Ambassador Molly McPhee for their efforts to thwart famine and bloodshed.

     A U.N. resolution on South Sudan considered this month includes an arms embargo; it would be voted on by mid-September with a separate subsequent vote on the timetable for implementation.

     As Smith finished his meeting with the President, Smith noted that the window of opportunity for action is short. "Mr. President, if you don't pivot now, the trend line is terrible for support--and it'll soon be over."

     While in South Sudan, Smith also held meetings with: 1^st Vice President Taban Deng Gai; Minister of Finance Stephen Dhieru Dau; Juba Archbishop Paulino Lokodu Loro; Ellen Loej, head of the U.N. Mission in South Sudan, and; Hafeez Wani from the NGO forum.

     Smith has held 11 hearings on South Sudan and Sudan, going back to 1996. The most recent took place in April of this year and was titled South Sudan’s Prospects for Peace and Security. Excerpts from Smith’s opening statement can be found here.

###