[Congressional Record Volume 168, Number 106 (Wednesday, June 22, 2022)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E657]
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

                                 ______
                                 

                               speech of

                        HON. SHEILA JACKSON LEE-

                                of texas

                    in the house of representatives

                         Tuesday, June 21, 2022

  Ms. JACKSON LEE. Mr. Speaker, I rise in strong support of H. Con. 
Res. 59, a resolution ``Condemning the October 25, 2021, military coup 
in Sudan and standing with the people of Sudan.''
  H. Con. Res. 59 is a bipartisan resolution condemning the military 
coup carried out on October 25, 2021 and calls for Prime Minister 
Hamdok and other constitutional leaders from his cabinet to be released 
from unlawful custody.
  This resolution urges the Sudanese government to resume measures to 
transition power to a civilian led government that respects democratic 
principles and end all violence against its citizens.
  Following the ousting of President Al-Bashir on April 11, 2019 the 
Transitional Military Council (TMC) seized power halting the proposed 
transition to a representative democracy,
  On June 3, 2019 about 127 peaceful protesters were killed at the 
hands of the Rapid Support Forces, an extension of the Sudanese 
government that continues to perpetuate violence in the region to this 
day.
  With support from the U.S. and members of the international 
community, Sudan was showing promise in its democratic transition 
through actions such as ratifying their intention to turn in former 
President Al-Bashir to the International Criminal Court, as well as 
civilian and military leaders agreeing to a transitional framework to 
implement a civilan-led government.
  Unfortunately, Lt. General Burhan and his allies seized power 
following a coup of the transitional government in October 2021, 
subsequently imprisoning Minister Hamdok and other officials.
  Protests followed the coup as the Sudanese people called for a 
transition from a military ruling council to true democratic 
governance.
  BBC News reports over 100 people have been killed by Sudanese 
security forces since October 2021, with tensions between the military 
and civilians worsening as the region faces increased food shortages 
and inflation.
  Houston is home to thousands of African immigrants including many 
Sudanese Americans to whom I answer to as their representative. It is 
critical for Congress to stand with the women and men advocating and 
speaking up for the Sudanese people.
  I applaud the efforts and sacrifices that pro-democracy activists 
have made. They must be assured that the United States fully supports 
their desire for freedom and peace, and strongly condemns the violent 
and oppressive tactics of Sudan's military junta.
  When enacted, controlled H. Con. Res. 59 will lay out areas where the 
Sudan's military-controlled government must improve if it wants to 
continue engaging with the United States, including political reform 
and a respect for human rights.
  Mr. Speaker, I urge my colleagues to join me in supporting H. Con. 
Res 59 to confront these atrocities we have seen in Sudan and uplift 
the democratic values we work to protect.

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