Menendez, Risch Applaud Senate Passage of Resolution Condemning October 2021 Military Coup in Sudan

WASHINGTON –  U.S. Senators Bob Menendez (D-N.J.) and Jim Risch (R-Idaho), Chairman and Ranking Member of the Senate Foreign Relations Committee, today issued the below statements following the Senate passage of their concurrent resolution condemning the October 25, 2021 military coup in Sudan:

"Yesterday the Senate passed our bipartisan legislation condemning the October 2021 military coup in Sudan and calling on the Secretary of State to immediately identify coup leaders, their accomplices, and enablers for consideration for targeted sanctions. The resolution’s passage is an immense step forward in holding junta leaders accountable not only for undermining Sudan’s transition to democracy, but also for their grand scale public corruption,” Chairman Menendez said. “The junta has only continued its heinous actions since taking power by sexually assaulting and detaining protestors and dissenting voices, and torturing political prisoners. Junta leaders also continue to use Sudan’s gold mining sector for their own personal profit, in league with Russia. The time has come for the United States and our partners to take swift action and support the aspirations of millions of courageous Sudanese citizens by sending a clear message to the junta: cede power to civilian rule and return to your barracks.”

"This sends a clear message from Congress that the U.S. should not accept the continued rule of Sudan's despotic military rulers, who once again have stolen power from its citizens," said Ranking Member Risch. "While coup leaders Generals Hemedti and Burhan continue to travel around Russia and the Gulf shopping for sponsors of their brutal rule, the Sudanese people suffer enormously under their incompetence and selfishness. It is well past time for the U.S. and its allies to hold Sudan's junta accountable and work directly with the Sudanese people to restore their country's civilian-led democratic path."

Menendez and Risch were joined by U.S. Representatives Gregory W. Meeks (D-N.Y.) and Michael T. McCaul (R-Texas), Chair and Ranking Member of the House Foreign Affairs Committee, in introducing the concurrent resolution.

Find a copy of the resolution HERE.

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