U.S. Senator Jeanne Shaheen, the Ranking Member of the Senate Foreign Relations Committee, has issued a statement following the Biden administration’s recent declaration regarding genocide in Darfur, Sudan. The administration has determined that the Rapid Support Forces (RSF) are responsible for committing genocide and has sanctioned RSF leader Mohamed “Hemedti” Hamdan Dagalo.
Senator Shaheen expressed her concerns about the ongoing conflict in Darfur, highlighting issues such as sexual and gender-based violence and forced starvation. She emphasized the importance of global action to address these atrocities: “Today, we face the grim reality that genocide has once again occurred in Darfur. The horrors of this ongoing conflict… demand urgent global action.”
She called for international partners to join the U.S. in sanctioning those accountable for war crimes and genocide in Sudan. Additionally, she stressed the need for a Sudan Special Envoy nomination by the incoming Trump administration to facilitate peace efforts and ensure humanitarian aid reaches those affected.
Shaheen also underscored the importance of including Sudanese women and girls in peace negotiations: “The international community must also ensure that Sudanese women and girls… are central to any pursuit of a ceasefire and long-term peace agreement.”
Senator Shaheen has been an advocate for increased U.S. support to address violence in Sudan. Her legislative actions include promoting greater access to humanitarian aid and emphasizing women’s roles in achieving lasting peace through initiatives like Senate Resolution 831.
