Press Releases

Payne Applauds Obama Appointment of Sudan Special Envoy
Payne Heads to the White House for Meeting with President Obama and Special Envoy to Sudan

Washington, D.C. – Today, Congressman Donald M. Payne, Chairman of the House Subcommittee on Africa and Global Health, headed to the White House to meet with President Barack Obama and his new Special Envoy to Sudan, General Scott Gration, to discuss the escalating humanitarian crisis in Darfur, Sudan.

Representative Payne applauds President Obama's appointment of General Gration as his Special Envoy for Sudan. His selection of General Gration affirms the United States government's commitment to finding ways to bring an end to the suffering in Darfur and to bring lasting peace in Sudan. "I look forward to working with Special Envoy Gration," Payne stated. "It is important that he is given all the support he needs, and that he has a clear mandate to execute a US government policy that will deal with the multiple challenges we face in Sudan.

The United States should develop a roadmap for peace and justice in Sudan, in cooperation with our regional, international, and Sudanese allies. A roadmap needs to be implemented that has a clear timeline and a monitoring mechanism to ensure realization. Most importantly, it must clearly state the consequences if the government continues its obstructionism.

Payne also remarked, "I hope Special Envoy Gration will also focus on the other Sudan. Ending the suffering in Darfur is critical. However, we can not afford to ignore the South and other parts of Sudan. If we continue to ignore the other areas of the country, we are likely to see another Darfur. The full implementation of the CPA will transform Sudan into a New Sudan, a country that is peaceful and democratic. We must also remember that without justice and accountability there will be no peace. Let us also remember the millions of innocent civilians that are still in internally displaced and refugee camps. We must look for ways to end their suffering."