October 3, Nairobi — On Thursday, two U.S. senators, Democrat Chris Coons and Republican Jim Risch, announced their intention to introduce the Sudan Accountability Act.
It would be the most comprehensive bill in the Senate to date in addressing the ongoing war in Sudan. The legislation takes steps to shed light on the atrocities occurring in Sudan and determine if they constitute genocide; hold perpetrators and their supporters accountable; offer services to civilians; and support the protection of the Sudanese people.
“It is time for Congress to act on Sudan,” said Senator Coons in a statement. “Failing to act as the Sudanese people are forced to flee or die in their homeland is a choice that we do not accept. The Sudan Accountability Act will advance and protect the rights of all Sudanese, hold the perpetrators of war crimes and their supporters accountable, expand humanitarian access, and support efforts to bring an end to this disastrous conflict.”
In addition to Senators Coons and Risch, this legislation is cosponsored by Senators Jeanne Shaheen and Todd Young.
“The war in Sudan has created the most devastating humanitarian crisis in the world, including record rates of sexual- and gender-based violence committed in large part by the Rapid Support Forces,” said Senator Shaheen.