I write with deep concern about the developments in Sudan over the last few months. Since the conflict began, the fighting between warring parties has killed more than 1,000 civilians and forced more than four million to flee as IDPs and refugees. The flow of heavy weaponry into the country enables actors on both sides of the conflict to commit violations against the people of Sudan.

With so many lives at stake, I urge you, in your Congressional oversight role, to push the U.S. to take decisive action to protect civilians in Sudan.

Specifically, I ask that you write to the Biden Administration and ask them to expand the arms embargo that currently applies to Darfur to the rest of Sudan.

The significant escalation of violence continues to impact civilians, as parties to the conflict commit crimes under international law and other serious violations and abuses. The expansion of the arms embargo must be accompanied by an effective mechanism to monitor international sales and prevent illicit transfers of arms to Sudan.

The current fighting echoes the atrocities of 20 years ago. Many of the actors who committed war crimes and crimes against humanity continue to operate within the country. If nothing is done, the conflict in Sudan has the potential to destabilize the entire region and millions of people in Sudan will be left with their human rights unprotected and their lives at risk. By instituting a country-wide arms embargo, the U.S. would be taking a stance against the violence against civilians that is spreading throughout the country with no end in sight.

I implore you to protect civilian lives by taking swift action against the flow of deadly arms into Sudan.