Frank R. Wolf: Putting Sudan on notice

On July 12th, the Trump administration postponed a decision for 90 days on whether to continue to implement U.S. sanctions on Sudan that were established as the result of decades of violence, genocide and crimes against humanity.

Together we brought testimony, evidence, and arguments to the administration. And they listened. At a time when there is much tension in our culture and politics, it gives me hope to see many people and organizations come together on this important issue, and to be able to have an impact for those suffering in Sudan.

I am grateful to President Trump for extending the review period so his administration has more time for fact-finding and comprehensive analysis. The United States must ensure that the genocidal government of Sudan will not use the lifting of sanctions as a means to acquire the capacity to commit more crimes in the future. I hope all who care about this issue will speak up as the Trump administration considers its next steps.

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Dr. Tom Catena: Lifting sanctions will help Sudan’s leaders. What about everyone else?

On July 12, the day by which the United States must decide whether to lift sanctions against the government of Sudan, is a day that I’ll be watching closely because it will affect me and the people I serve.

As the lone surgeon in the Nuba Mountains of Sudan, I help to run the only referral hospital that serves 750,000 citizens. Every day I treat an average of 500 patients with injuries and ailments— many of which are direct or indirect byproducts of the conflict. From my vantage point here, there has been no improvement in the humanitarian situation.

Lifting the sanctions will, in fact, serve to reward the bad behavior of a government that has not allowed humanitarian aid to enter our region. It would reward a government that has targeted civilian areas of the Nuba Mountains with indiscriminate aerial bombardments and artillery shelling for the better part of the past six years.

I know this is a complicated set of issues for U.S. policymakers to weigh, but I’d make this plea on behalf of the men, women and children I treat every day: Please extend the sanctions to hold Khartoum accountable. Let’s not let Sudan’s government off the hook.

Read full article by Dr. Tom Catena here.

Melinda Henneberger: Even genocidal regimes now have Washington lobbyists

For $40,000 a month, Squire Patton Boggs will work for the Sudanese government headed by war criminal Omar al-Bashir, whose best known work includes the ongoing genocide in Darfur and the Nuba Mountains. The Washington, D.C. lobbying law firm, which is headed by former Republican Sen. Trent Lott and former Democratic Sen. John Breaux, was hired by Sudan to help convince the Trump administration that most economic sanctions against Bashir’s government, which the U.S. has long recognized as a state sponsor of terrorism, ought to be allowed to lapse in July.

According to the firm’s June filing with the Department of Justice, Squire Patton Boggs will help the Sudanese government “avoid ‘snap back’ of U.S. sanctions on Sudan and to “identify and implement strategies to improve Sudan’s investment climate.”

http://www.kansascity.com/opinion/opn-columns-blogs/melinda-henneberger/article157716354.html

Will Trump Let a Brutal Dictator Off the Hook?

In a recent MSNBC interview, journalist Greta van Susteren spoke with Former Rep. Frank Wolf and humanitarian activist Ryan Boyette to discuss the crisis in Sudan and the possibility of U.S. sanctions being lifted.

“I beg the administration, in the interest of speaking out for human rights and religious freedom, you cannot lift the sanctions on Sudan,” said Former Congressman Frank Wolf.

By July 12, 2017, the secretary of state is to provide a report to President Donald Trump that will provide the basis for reviewing the sanctions on Sudan. He will have the option of re-enacting sanctions, issuing another temporary reprieve, or permanently removing the sanctions.

“Sudanese President Omar al-Bashir has killed more people than ISIS and Al-Qaida combined. Don’t forget he’s the one who invited Osama Bin Laden to come and live in Sudan. To lift sanctions on a man like that is incredible,” added Former Congressman Frank Wolf.

According to a filing with the Justice Department, the government of Bashir, which is listed by the U.S. as a state sponsor of terrorism, has hired Washington law firm Squire Patton Boggs LLP at a cost of $40,000 a month to lobby on its behalf as part of its accelerating campaign to ensure that President Donald Trump permanently lifts sanctions against the country ahead of a deadline next month.

Watch the full video here.

Want Pope Francis to visit South Sudan? Work for peace, bishops say

The news that Pope Francis will not be able to visit South Sudan this year prompted the nation’s bishops to voice reassurances that a future visit is possible, and ask for a renewed commitment to peace.

Eduardo Hiiboro Kussala, Bishop of the Catholic Diocese of Tombura-Yambio and President of the Sudan Catholic Bishops’ Conference, is calling on people in the country to work for peace. He suggested armed conflict in the nation, including lack of security, were obstacles to a papal visit.

“Pope Francis is very particularly (concerned) about the welfare of the suffering people in the world, and so is he for South Sudan,” said Bishop Kussala. “Pope Francis continues to remind us of the costs of war, particularly on the powerless and defenseless, and urge us toward the imperative of peace.”

The bishops said a visit from Pope Francis could have “uplifted the faith” of Christians and other believers and raise expectations of peace. His presence would also console the grieving and heal the broken-hearted. The bishops also noted his decision not to visit in 2017 should be received “in respect and prayer.”

Read the rest here.

Catholic University Graduates Tasked to be Peace Makers

The Catholic University of South Sudan, funded by the South Sudan Relief Fund, held its 5^th graduation ceremony at Nyakuron Cultural Centre. More than 250 students graduated from the faculties of Economics and Business Administration, Education and Agriculture.

The Chancellor of Catholic University, Bishop Edward Hiiboro, encouraged the cheerful graduates to bring peace, work together to stabilize South Sudan, and to give back to their country.

“As much as we are joyful about your success, we would like you to give back in good deeds,” says Bishop Hiiboro. “We would like you to pay back in helping South Sudan progress. We would like you to be people who will unite the country, and we would like you to be people to improve the economy of South Sudan. You will only do that as God fearing people.”

Father Mathew Pagen, the Vice Chancellor of the university, also urged the graduates to be peace makers and to have conviction, compassion, and commitment in whatever they do to succeed in life after university.

Catholic University of South Sudan is the only accredited university currently operating well enough in the country to be graduating students each year. Since opening in 2008 and despite the current ongoing civil war and violence, hundreds of students have attended this strong higher learning institution, which represents real hope for young people in the country.

http://www.gurtong.net/ECM/Editorial/tabid/124/ID/20432/Default.aspx

Dr. Tom Catena—2017 Aurora Prize Laureate

The Sudan Relief Fund would like to congratulate Dr. Tom Catena for winning the prestigious Aurora Prize for Awakening Humanity. Dr. Tom, a Catholic missionary from New York, is the only doctor permanently based in Sudan’s war-ravaged Nuba Mountains where humanitarian aid is heavily restricted. He was selected as the 2017 Aurora Prize Laureate from more than 550 nominations submitted from 66 countries. He won the humanitarian award for his tireless commitment and selfless efforts for serving more than 750,000 citizens amidst ongoing civil war. Dr. Tom is truly an inspiration to all. We are extremely proud and thankful for his extraordinary efforts as he continues to serve our brothers and sisters in Christ”

Read the rest here.

Melinda Henneberger: President Trump, don’t meet with Sudan’s Bashir

In Sudan’s remote Nuba Mountains, where Muslims and Christians live in peace with one another but can’t remember a time when they weren’t under attack from their own barrel-bombing, Osama-harboring Islamist government in Khartoum, Donald Trump’s election seemed like a rare reason to celebrate.

 Many in Nuba who’d been so optimistic that Trump would stand with them can’t be smiling now, though, at the news that our president may actually meet with Bashir on Saturday, at a summit convened by Saudi Arabia during Trump’s first foreign trip since taking office.

If Trump meets with him, even as part of a group, he’ll send the message that we are indifferent to human rights abuses and don’t care what Bashir does in Darfur or in the Nuba people’s gorgeous, but pockmarked, South Kordofan province.

National Security Adviser H.R. McMaster has said Trump is going to the summit of Muslim leaders to “deliver an inspiring, yet direct speech on the need to confront radical ideology.” Which is exactly the ideology to which Bashir has devoted his life.

President Trump, you should know that Bashir, too, uses chemical weapons, and he has put these brave, resilient people through suffering I so wish you could see for yourself. Please don’t further embolden the monster who makes them take cover in caves.

http://www.kansascity.com/opinion/opn-columns-blogs/melinda-henneberger/article151149612.html