[Congressional Record Volume 168, Number 105 (Tuesday, June 21, 2022)]
[House]
[Pages H5709-H5711]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
CONDEMNING THE OCTOBER 25, 2021, MILITARY COUP IN SUDAN AND STANDING
WITH THE PEOPLE OF SUDAN
Ms. MANNING. Mr. Speaker, I move to suspend the rules and agree to
the concurrent resolution (H. Con. Res. 59) condemning the October 25,
2021, military coup in Sudan and standing with the people of Sudan.
The Clerk read the title of the concurrent resolution.
The text of the concurrent resolution is as follows:
H. Con. Res. 59
Whereas the people of the Republic of Sudan suffered for
three decades under the despotic rule of President Omar
Hassan Ahmad al-Bashir, whose government was responsible for
the suppression of civil liberties, grand corruption, support
for international terrorism, and the commission of crimes
against humanity and genocide;
Whereas, throughout 2019, a coalition of Sudanese civic
groups, including professional associations, labor unions,
community groups, democracy activists, and opposition
parties, led a mass protest movement to demand the end of
Bashir's reign and the transition to democracy in Sudan;
Whereas, on April 11, 2019, Sudanese military officers
deposed Bashir, and, following continued protests, agreed to
form a transitional government in partnership with a civilian
pro-democracy coalition on July 17, 2019;
Whereas, on June 3, 2019, Sudanese forces led by the Rapid
Support Forces (RSF), largely comprised of Janjaweed militia
involved in genocidal campaigns across Darfur for decades,
opened fire on protesters at an army command headquarters in
Khartoum, killing at least 127 people, at least 40 of whom
were found in the Nile River;
Whereas the military and civilian elements agreed to a 39-
month transition to democracy, with a Civilian-Led
Transitional Government (CLTG) comprised of a predominantly
civilian cabinet led by Prime Minister Abdallah Hamdok, a
Sovereign Council, an executive body with civilian and
military members chaired for the first half of the
transitional period by Lieutenant General Abdel Fattah al-
Burhan, and a Transitional Legislative Council, which has yet
to be formed;
Whereas the United States and the international community
supported Sudan's transition to democracy, with the United
States identifying more than $1,000,000,000 in foreign
assistance, and the multilateral Friends of Sudan group
pledging $1,800,000,000 from roughly 50 countries and
international organizations;
Whereas the CLTG made progress in human rights reforms,
including guaranteeing the people of Sudan freedom of
religion and gender equality under the transitional
constitution, banning female genital mutilation, and
decriminalizing apostasy;
Whereas, in August 2021, when the Sudanese Cabinet ratified
the Rome Statute of the International Criminal Court (ICC),
the CLTG made progress towards ending impunity for abusers of
human rights, stating its intention to deliver Omar al-Bashir
to the ICC to stand trial for genocide, war crimes, and
crimes against humanity, and formed civilian committees to
investigate corruption and crimes against humanity
perpetrated by the Bashir regime;
Whereas the transitional government negotiated a peace
agreement with several rebel groups, a step towards ending
decades of conflict in the regions of Darfur, South Kordofan,
and Blue Nile, which killed hundreds of thousands of
civilians and left more than 3,000,000 people displaced
within Sudan;
Whereas Sudan continues to face a serious humanitarian
situation, with an estimated 13,400,000 people, or 29 percent
of the population, in need of humanitarian assistance in
2021;
Whereas Sudan faces a severe economic crisis, exacerbated
by the COVID-19 pandemic, which caused the price of food and
consumer goods to increase significantly, while austerity
measures imposed to stabilize the economy resulted in the
reduction or elimination of subsidies for commodities
including wheat and fuel;
Whereas the political tensions between the civilian and
military elements and within factions of the civilian
coalition undermined the CLTG and contributed to widespread
unrest within the Sudanese population relating to a range of
issues, including the economic crisis, ethnic and tribal
conflict in peripheral regions, and the unsatisfactory pace
of reforms;
Whereas, on September 21, 2021, some members of the
military reportedly attempted a coup d'etat against the
transitional government, which failed to depose the
government but succeeded in precipitating the most serious
political crisis of the transition period;
Whereas, on October 21, 2021, hundreds of thousands of
people across Sudan demonstrated in support of democratic
civilian rule, to counter a smaller protest days prior
demanding the military take complete control of the
government;
Whereas, on October 25, 2021, Lieutenant General Burhan,
with the support of General Mohamed Hamdan Dagalo, also known
as ``Hemedti'', seized control of the government, deployed
the military to the streets of Khartoum and Omdurman, and
arrested and detained Prime Minister Hamdok and other
civilian officials;
Whereas the African Union Peace and Security Council
convened on October 27, 2021, strongly condemned the coup,
reaffirmed the mandate of the CLTG, and subsequently
suspended Sudan from the regional body ``with immediate
effect . . . until the effective restoration'' of the CLTG;
Whereas the actions of Lieutenant General Burhan and the
Sudanese military violate Sudan's Constitutional Charter and
threaten to plunge Sudan into isolation and instability;
Whereas the United States Government publicly condemned the
coup, suspended its foreign assistance to Sudan, and urged
Lieutenant General Burhan and his accomplices to restore the
CLTG and return Sudan to the path to democracy; and
Whereas, the Troika (the United States, United Kingdom,
Norway), the European Union, and Switzerland ``continue to
recognize the Prime Minister and his cabinet as the
constitutional leaders of the transitional government'' and
``confirm once again the international calls for the
immediate return to the roadmap for democratic transition of
Sudan'': Now, therefore, be it
Resolved by the House of Representatives (the Senate
concurring), That Congress--
(1) condemns the October 25, 2021, coup in Sudan;
(2) stands with the people of Sudan in their democratic
aspirations;
(3) recognizes the Prime Minister and his cabinet as the
constitutional leaders of Sudan's transitional government;
(4) calls for Sudan's military junta to--
(A) immediately release all civilian government officials,
civil society members, and other individuals detained in
connection with the coup;
(B) return to constitutional rule under the transitional
constitution as the starting point for negotiations with
civilians toward full civilian rule;
(C) lift the state of emergency, including complete
restoration of all means of communication;
(D) remove all roadblocks and checkpoints, and order the
Sudanese Armed Forces (SAF) and RSF to stand down and comply
with international recognized rules of engagement;
(E) ensure security forces respect the right to peaceful
protest and hold those who used excessive force and committed
other abuses accountable in a transparent, credible process;
(F) cease all attempts to change the civilian composition
of the cabinet, Sovereign Council, and other government
bodies; and
(G) transfer leadership of the Sovereign Council to a
civilian member of the Sovereign Council in keeping with the
transitional constitution;
(5) calls on the Secretary of State to--
(A) immediately identify coup leaders, their accomplices,
and enablers for consideration for targeted sanctions;
(B) urge junta leaders to return immediately to the rule of
law as set forth by the transitional constitution;
(C) monitor, discourage, and deter any effort by external
parties to support the coup and the military junta;
(D) coordinate with--
(i) the Administrator of the United States Agency for
International Development and other Federal Government
agencies to pause all non-humanitarian bilateral assistance
to Sudan until restoration of the transitional constitutional
order;
(ii) the Department of the Treasury to use the voice and
vote of the United States in
[[Page H5710]]
international financial institutions to suspend all actions
related to non-humanitarian loans or debt relief to Sudan
until restoration of the transitional constitutional order;
and
(iii) the United States Permanent Representative to the
United Nations to ensure the United Nations Security Council
is seized of the matter on an ongoing basis; and
(E) work with the Troika to engage members of the
international community to join these United States actions;
and
(6) calls on international partners to--
(A) join United States efforts to impose targeted sanctions
on the junta and other accomplices to the coup, monitor,
discourage, and deter any effort by external parties to
support the junta, and urge junta leaders to return to the
rule of law as set forth by the transitional constitution;
and
(B) suspend Sudan's participation in all regional
multilateral organizations until Sudan is returned to
constitutional rule under the transitional constitution.
The SPEAKER pro tempore. Pursuant to the rule, the gentlewoman from
North Carolina (Ms. Manning) and the gentlewoman from California (Mrs.
Kim) each will control 20 minutes.
The Chair recognizes the gentlewoman from California.
General Leave
Ms. MANNING. Mr. Speaker, I ask unanimous consent that all Members
may have 5 legislative days in which to revise and extend their remarks
and include extraneous material on H. Con. Res. 59, condemning the
October 25, 2021, military coup in Sudan and standing with the people
of Sudan.
The SPEAKER pro tempore. Is there objection to the request of the
gentlewoman from North Carolina?
There was no objection.
Ms. MANNING. Mr. Speaker, I yield myself such time as I may consume.
Mr. Speaker, I rise in support of H. Con. Res. 59. I would first like
to thank my colleague, Chairman Meeks, for drafting this important
resolution.
On October 25, 2021, Sudan's military leaders launched a coup that
essentially dissolved nearly 2 years of progress toward establishing a
civilian-led transitional government that would be accountable to the
people of Sudan.
Since then, the military junta has undertaken a campaign involving
serious human rights violations, including the unlawful detention of
the recognized Prime Minister, senior government officials, and members
of civil society. Civilian protestors have been maimed, detained, and
killed arbitrarily.
Now, the military junta has brazenly aligned itself with the Kremlin
and provided Putin access to its mining sector at a time when Russia is
seeking funds to wage its own brutal, illegal war in Ukraine.
For these reasons, Congress needs to send a unified message to
Sudan's military junta by strongly condemning the October 25 coup and
reaffirming our support for the Sudanese people.
This resolution will also signal to the world that the international
community must take a stand against the antidemocratic trends sweeping
Sudan and the region. We must continue championing multilateral efforts
to bring peace and stability to Sudan.
While clearly imperfect, I believe the U.N.-mediated process to
advance Sudan's political transition and reestablish the path to peace
could be viable with the right leadership and inclusive representation.
In passing this resolution and a companion resolution recently passed
by our colleagues in the Senate, I ask you to support this call to
stand with the people of Sudan and urge Sudan's military junta to
restore the civilian-led transition as the best hope for peace and
prosperity in Sudan.
Mr. Speaker, I reserve the balance of my time.
U.S. House of Representatives,
Committee on Financial Services,
Washington, DC, June 17, 2022.
Hon. Gregory Meeks,
Chairman, House Foreign Affairs Committee,
Washington, DC.
Dear Chairman Meeks: I am writing to acknowledge your
letter dated June 17, 2022, regarding the waiver by the
Committee on Financial Services of any Rule X jurisdiction
claims over the matters contained in H. Con. Res. 59, the
``Condemning the October 25, 2021, military coup in Sudan and
standing with the people of Sudan.'' The Committee on
Financial Services confirms our mutual understanding that our
Committee does not waive any jurisdiction over the subject
matter contained in this or similar legislation, and that our
Committee will be appropriately consulted and involved as
this bill or similar legislation moves forward so that we may
address any remaining issues within our jurisdiction. The
Committee on Financial Services further confirms our interest
in appointment of outside conferees from the Committee should
this bill or similar language be considered in a conference
with the Senate.
We request that you ensure that this exchange of letters is
included in the Congressional Record during Floor
consideration of the bill. We look forward to continuing to
work with you as this measure moves through the legislative
process.
Sincerely,
Maxine Waters,
Chairwoman.
____
House of Representatives,
Committee on Foreign Affairs,
Washington, DC, June 21, 2022.
Hon. Maxine Waters,
Chair, Committee on Financial Services, House of
Representatives, Washington, DC.
Dear Chair Waters: I am writing to you concerning H. Con.
Res. 59, Condemning the October 25, 2021, military coup in
Sudan and standing with the people of Sudan. I appreciate
your willingness to work cooperatively on this legislation.
I acknowledge that provisions of the resolution fall within
the jurisdiction of the Committee on Financial Services under
House Rule X, and that your Committee will forgo action on H.
Con. Res. 59 to expedite floor consideration. I further
acknowledge that the inaction of your Committee with respect
to the measure does not waive any future jurisdictional claim
over the matters contained in the resolution that fall within
your jurisdiction. I also acknowledge that your Committee
will be appropriately consulted and involved as this or
similar legislation moves forward, and will support the
appointment of Committee on Financial Services conferees
during any House-Senate conference convened on this
legislation.
Lastly, I will ensure that our exchange of letters is
included in the Congressional Record during floor
consideration of the bill. Thank you again for your
cooperation regarding the legislation. I look forward to
continuing to work with you as the measure moves through the
legislative process.
Sincerely,
Gregory W. Meeks,
Chair.
{time} 1615
Mrs. KIM of California. Mr. Speaker, I yield myself such time as I
may consume.
Mr. Speaker, I rise in strong support of H. Con. Res. 59, condemning
the October 25 coup in Sudan. I thank Chairman Meeks, Ranking Member
McCaul, as well as Chairwoman Bass and Ranking Member Smith of the
Subcommittee on Africa, Global Health and Global Human Rights.
Mr. Speaker, the people of Sudan have worked tirelessly for freedom
and democracy since the ousting of 30-year dictator, Omar Al-Bashir.
Unfortunately, the path toward civilian-led democracy was halted when
military junta leaders detained civilian leaders and took over the
government last fall. These actions undermined months of progress made
under transitional authorities and hope for a new future in Sudan.
Military leaders, like General Burhan and General Hemeti, have once
again prioritized power as well as personal and financial gain over the
will of the people. While I am glad Congress is sending an important
and unified message condemning the October 25 coup, more must be done.
That is why I am leading the Sudan Democracy Act, which passed out of
committee earlier this year. The same military junta that overthrew the
civilian-led transitional government and are undermining peace and
stability in Sudan, are also some of the same individuals implicated in
gross violations of human rights, corruption, and illicit finance
schemes.
Mr. Speaker, I urge the administration to utilize all existing
sanctions authority to demand accountability for these actions while we
continue to work here in Congress to find a path forward for new,
important sanctions authority.
I stand firmly behind the people of Sudan, or anywhere else in the
world, where people are fighting for freedom and democracy.
Mr. Speaker, I urge all my colleagues to support this important
measure, and I reserve the balance of my time.
Ms. MANNING. Mr. Speaker, I have no further requests for time, and I
reserve the balance of my time.
Mrs. KIM of California. Mr. Speaker, I yield myself the balance of my
time.
In closing, I again thank my colleagues on the Committee on Foreign
Affairs and the Subcommittee on Africa, Global Health and Human Rights
for offering this important resolution.
Last month, the Senate unanimously passed an identical resolution,
and
[[Page H5711]]
Congress is speaking clearly with one voice in support of the people of
Sudan and their tireless fight for democracy.
The United States should continue to support human rights defenders,
journalists, and civil society leaders in Sudan who are standing up for
democracy. But it is also critical that the Biden administration
rethink any foreign assistance intended for Sudan under this new
military junta leadership.
Prior appropriations bills provided over $700 million to solidify a
fledgling civilian-led transitional government. Unfortunately, that
government is no longer in power and precious taxpayer resources should
not be beholden to this unfortunate new reality in Sudan.
I again commend the people of Sudan for their steadfast support of
democracy, and I am proud that today, the United States Congress sends
a strong message of solidarity.
Mr. Speaker, I yield back the balance of my time.
Ms. MANNING. Mr. Speaker, I yield myself the balance of my time for
the purpose of closing.
Mr. Speaker, the October 25 military coup in Sudan represents a dark
day for the people in Sudan. It put Sudan and its people on a
regressive path that has eroded their human rights and their
aspirations for a civilian-led transition. This transition, with
historic support from the United States, augured peace, stability, and
democratic governance in Sudan for the first time in decades. Instead,
the military junta decided to seize power without regard for the will
of Sudan's people.
This resolution will echo the voice of the international community by
condemning the coup, standing up for Sudan's people, and calling for
full accountability for the junta leaders who have abused their power
and their people. The passage of this concurrent resolution is a step
in the right direction.
I again thank Chairman Meeks for his leadership on this resolution,
and I urge all my colleagues to join us by voting in the affirmative.
Mr. Speaker, I yield back the balance of my time.
The SPEAKER pro tempore. The question is on the motion offered by the
gentlewoman from North Carolina (Ms. Manning) that the House suspend
the rules and agree to the concurrent resolution, H. Con. Res. 59.
The question was taken.
The SPEAKER pro tempore. In the opinion of the Chair, two-thirds
being in the affirmative, the ayes have it.
Mr. CLOUD. Mr. Speaker, on that I demand the yeas and nays.
The SPEAKER pro tempore. Pursuant to section 3(s) of House Resolution
8, the yeas and nays are ordered.
Pursuant to clause 8 of rule XX, further proceedings on this motion
are postponed.
____________________