Letter To Biden Administration Calling For Senior Level Engagement In Sudan
With the security and political situation in Sudan changing daily, now is the time for President Biden to appoint an ambassador or special envoy to Sudan.
In 2019, elements of Sudan’s genocidal security forces joined protesters in overthrowing former President Omar al-Bashir and his National Congress Party. While this was a joyous moment, this uneasy alliance was always destined to be short-lived. The first warning shot of this reality came on June 6, 2019 —not even two months after Bashir was toppled— when the regime’s Rapid Support Forces (RSF) massacred their way through the streets of Khartoum.
Despite those horrific atrocities, the protest movement reclaimed the streets and secured a partial victory with a transitional power arrangement between their civilian leaders and the begrudging heads of the security agencies.
Since then, Sudan’s attempted transition away from genocidal dictatorship to a fledgling democracy has ground to a near standstill. It has become clear just how much the agendas of the two sides differ. As civilian leaders seek serious, systemic change in how Sudan is governed, the security forces are determined not to lose their coveted power and the predatory economic systems that permit their survival.
To complicate the current situation, fractures exist in both the civilian and security coalitions, with the escalating tensions between the Sudanese army and paramilitary groups such as the RSF foreshadowing a civil war between the security agencies. And in Sudan’s still-oppressed hinterlands, armed opposition movements from the Bashir days remain deeply distrustful of Khartoum.
Recent events in Sudan are cause for even greater alarm. On September 21, the transitional government announced that it had suppressed a coup attempt. As military and civilian leaders traded accusations about why the coup attempt happened, the security forces suspended scheduled meetings with civilian leaders and withdrew security guards from civilian ministerial roles.
THE LETTER
Operation Broken Silence has joined 120+ NGOs, experts, and scholars in calling on the Biden Administration to appointment an ambassador or special envoy to Sudan.
Read the letter and see the full list of signatories.
Today, more than two years after Sudan’s peaceful revolution swept core elements of the Bashir regime from power, the United States still has no ambassador to Sudan.
This means that the United States is missing critical opportunities to support civilian officials, grassroots activists, and community and religious leaders who are pursuing a genuine transition to democracy. Without an ambassador or special envoy, the United States also stands to miss out on business development and comprehensive reform efforts that can help bring stability and peace to Sudan.
While we retain our belief that it is ultimately up to the Sudanese people to move their country forward, the United States can play an important supportive role. Greater U.S. diplomatic engagement now can help secure important progress tomorrow. We urge President Biden to take action by appointing an experienced diplomat to the role of ambassador or special envoy now.
Get Involved
Operation Broken Silence is the only nonprofit in the world funding community-led education efforts in Yida Refugee Camp. Without Endure Primary and Renewal Secondary Schools that we support there, the entire education system serving Sudanese refugees here would collapse.
Our 12th annual Eden’s Run 5K is coming up on November 12-14! We’re raising $20,000 for the 24 teachers and 1,400 students at these two special schools in Yida. With the support of compassionate runners and walkers, school supplies are being delivered, teachers are receiving paychecks, and more students are gaining access to the education they need to build a better Sudan. You can sign up from wherever you are!
Additional ways to support:
Make checks payable to Operation Broken Silence, write 5K in the memo line, and mail to P.O. Box 770900 Memphis, TN, 38177-0900
About Us
Operation Broken Silence is building a global movement to empower the Sudanese people through innovative programs as a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization.
We focus on empowering Sudanese change makers and their critical work. Learn more.
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