January 31, 2012

MITT ROMNEY RELEASES STATEMENT ON SUDAN

Filed under Press Releases

Mitt Romney has released a statement outlining his views on the government of Sudan’s ongoing history of committing genocide and atrocities, the gravity of the current government-led assaults on civilians, and his commitment to “protect innocents” and ensure that “humanitarian aid reaches those desperately in need.” The statement was provided to Act for Sudan, a bipartisan, interfaith alliance of American and Sudanese advocacy organizations, following the alliance’s request to all presidential candidates to disclose their views on U.S. Sudan policy.

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE: January 31, 2012
CONTACT:

Elizabeth Blackney, 541 390 1913, eliz@medializzy.com
Susan Morgan, 617 797 0451, susan@paxcommunications.org

MITT ROMNEY RELEASES STATEMENT ON SUDAN

Commits to “protecting innocents,” getting aid to “those desperately in need”

Mitt Romney has released a statement outlining his views on the government of Sudan’s ongoing history of committing genocide and atrocities, the gravity of the current government-led assaults on civilians, and his commitment to “protect innocents” and ensure that “humanitarian aid reaches those desperately in need.” The statement was provided to Act for Sudan, a bipartisan, interfaith alliance of American and Sudanese advocacy organizations, following the alliance’s request to all presidential candidates to disclose their views on U.S. Sudan policy.  Mr. Romney’s statement is the first time that Sudan has been raised by a candidate during the 2012 presidential election campaign. The other candidates have not yet responded to the Act for Sudan request.

According to the statement released to Act for Sudan by his campaign, “Mitt Romney recognizes that for too long far too many Sudanese have been victims of war crimes and other atrocities committed by the government in Khartoum and its proxies.”  He also stated that, “In Darfur, non-Arab populations have been and continue to be victims of a slow-motion genocide.”  Mr. Romney describes the current situation in the border regions of Sudan as “so dire that at least a quarter of a million people in South Kordofan will be pushed to the edge of famine by March this year” and stresses that he is “committed to protecting innocents from war crimes and other atrocities, ensuring that humanitarian aid reaches those desperately in need, holding accountable those leaders who perpetrate atrocities, and achieving a sustainable peace for all who live in Sudan and the Republic of South Sudan.” (Full statement below)

Recent satellite imagery shows that the government of Sudan is massing its armed forces in preparation for a full-scale military assault on the Nuba people in South Kordofan. Hundreds of thousands of civilians are at imminent risk with evacuation routes blocked by Sudan’s army. This grave threat is compounded by the government of Sudan’s continuous blockade of humanitarian assistance since June 5, 2011. US Ambassador to the UN Susan Rice recently stated, “If there is not a substantial new inflow of aid by March” the situation in Southern Kordofan will be “one step short of full- scale famine.”

In November, Act for Sudan sent an open letter to President Obama that was signed by 66 organizations across the country asking the United States to urgently address civilian protection and humanitarian assistance for millions of Sudanese facing government-sponsored attacks and obstruction of humanitarian assistance.  Among other recommendations, the letter asked Obama to instruct the National Security Council to accelerate decisions and related actions regarding protection of Nuba, Blue Nile, and Darfuri populations from air attacks and to seriously consider the destruction of offensive aerial assets and/or the imposition of a no-fly zone.  It also requested the immediate initiation of a cross border emergency aid program to the Nuba Mountains, Darfur, Blue Nile and Abyei regions.

“We believe the United States is not doing enough to uphold its responsibility to protect innocent civilians from atrocities perpetrated by the Sudanese government,” the letter stated.  “We, therefore, respectfully request that your Administration make it a top priority to provide the necessary protection and change the ruthless political calculations of the National Congress Party.”  Further, the signatories to the letter stated that they are “deeply concerned and distressed by the Obama Administration’s current Sudan policy in the face of ongoing government-sponsored genocide that has spanned more than two decades and resulted in the death and displacement of millions of people.”

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Act for Sudan is an alliance of American citizen activists and Sudanese U.S. residents who advocate for an end to genocide and mass atrocities in Sudan. Act for Sudan is dedicated to advocacy that is directly informed by the situation on the ground and by Sudanese people who urgently seek protection, justice, and peace. For more information please visit www.actforsudan.org.

Full Statement from Mitt Romney:

Mitt Romney recognizes that for too long far too many Sudanese have been victims of war crimes and other atrocities committed by the government in Khartoum and its proxies.  In Southern Sudan, millions died as a result of ethnic and religious targeted killings during the long civil war.  Among those brutally targeted were Christians and adherents of traditional African religions, Dinka, Nuer, and members of other ethnic groups.  In Darfur, non-Arab populations have been and continue to be victims of a slow-motion genocide.  And since independence of the Republic of South Sudan, Khartoum has committed a range of atrocities in border regions that have claimed countless lives and displaced hundreds of thousands.  It has incited and armed rebel groups with the apparent objective of undermining the new country. It has stolen hundreds of millions of dollars in oil, which is Sudan’s chief source of income. In both Darfur and in the border areas, Khartoum has too often been an impediment to the flow of humanitarian assistance.  The situation is so dire that at least a quarter of a million people in South Kordofan will be pushed to the edge of famine by March this year.  Governor Romney is committed to protecting innocents from war crimes and other atrocities, ensuring that humanitarian aid reaches those desperately in need, holding accountable those leaders who perpetrate atrocities, and achieving a sustainable peace for all who live in Sudan and the Republic of South Sudan.

Download pdf of Press Release here.