November 9, 2010

United States Senators

Dear Madam/Sir:

As leaders of national faith-based organizations, we request your leadership on behalf of

the millions in Sudan who pray for a lasting peace. The Sudan Peace and Stability Act of
2010, recently introduced in the Senate, is an opportunity for bipartisan leadership in
support of the United States’ interest and role in building peace in Darfur and between
North and South Sudan. Please co-sponsor the Sudan Peace and Stability Act.

After years of advocacy for peace in South Sudan and Darfur, it is clear to our
organizations that Sudan stands at a crossroads. Secretary of State Clinton called the
situation a “ticking time bomb.” The U.S. Director of National Intelligence identified
Southern Sudan as the place where a new mass killing is most likely to occur. Last
month, a delegation of Sudanese religious leaders representing millions conveyed to U.N.
and U.S. officials that a return of war is a distinct possibility if the U.S. and the
international community do not act. Urgent, high-level diplomacy from the U.S. is critical
to preventing additional atrocities.

In January, Sudan will hold a referendum on Southern independence. This vote was
guaranteed under Sudan’s 2005 Comprehensive Peace Agreement (C.P.A.), which ended
a brutal North-South war that claimed two million lives. The U.S. must ensure that this
vote, as well as a similar referendum in the flashpoint border state of Abyei, is timely and
credible, and that the results are respected.

At the same time, U.S. leadership on Darfur has never been more important. Millions in
Darfur remain displaced, and sexual and gender-based violence is rampant. Humanitarian
access is restricted. The government of Sudan and other armed groups regularly prevent
the UNAMID peacekeeping force from moving freely to protect civilians and investigate
violent attacks. Darfur’s peace process remains stalled.

We have the opportunity – right now – to protect human rights and prevent more mass
violence. The Sudan Peace and Stability Act was introduced in September by
Senators Kerry, Brownback, Durbin, Feingold and Wicker. Strong bipartisan co-
sponsorship will send a clear signal to the U.S. government and parties in Sudan that
Congress will not accept backsliding or violence and that Americans are committed to
peace in Sudan.

The bill clearly spells out U.S. policy toward Darfur, South Sudan and key
flashpoints in the border areas. It lays out bilateral and multilateral tools that can
achieve these policies. It emphasizes that all parties must commit to fully implementing
the Comprehensive Peace Agreement and ensuring peaceful and timely referenda. The
bill underscores the importance of Darfur and provides guidance on improving the Darfur
peace process and humanitarian situation. In a key provision, it calls for a senior U.S.
official to aid the Darfur peace process so that negotiations can continue. Finally, the bill
lays out the legal and policy groundwork needed to shape and support U.S. engagement
with South Sudan in the event that the South becomes independent.

Strong bipartisan Congressional leadership was critical to the U.S. diplomacy that helped
broker the 2005 Comprehensive Peace Agreement and end Sudan’s civil war. The same
cooperation also ensured that the Darfur crisis has remained a foreign policy priority for
the current and previous U.S. administrations. Please stand with the people of Sudan at
this critical moment and co-sponsor the Sudan Peace and Stability Act.

Sincerely,

[The Undersigned]