The IRD Press Release
The Institute on Religion and Democracy

June 9, 2008

Contact: Loralei Coyle
202-682-4131
202-905-6852 (cell)
lcoyle@TheIRD.org
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Media Advisory

PRESS CONFERENCE—SUDAN COALITION DEMANDS ACCOUNTABILITY!

Tuesday, June 10, 10 a.m., Longworth 1742

Washington, DC— In January IRD warned that there would be a return to conflict in southern Sudan if the Islamic government in Khartoum continued to shirk its promises in implementing the war-ending Comprehensive Peace Agreement (CPA). The CPA, signed on January 9, 2005, tentatively brought an end to more than two decades of war waged by the Sudanese government in the north against southern Sudan and other marginalized areas.

The Sudan People's Liberation Movement (SPLM) accuses the northern National Congress Party (formerly known as the National Islamic Front Regime) of violating the terms of the CPA. In particular, the SPLM states that the Khartoum-based NCP has failed to withdraw over 15,000 troops from southern oilfields and failed to implement the Protocol on Abyei, a dispute over territory that lies within southern Sudan and contains significant deposits of natural resources. The town of Abyei was destroyed last month. It is time that the U.S. hold Khartoum accountable so that peace can be found in the north, south, east and west Sudan.

What: Coaltion Urging U.S. Government to Hold Khartoum Accountable
Where: 1742 Longworth House Office Building
When: Tuesday, June 10, 10 a.m.
Who:
Faith McDonnell
Institute on Religion & Democracy

Nina Shea
Hudson Institute

John Prendergast
Enough! Project

Mohamed Yahya
Damanga Coalition for Freedom & Democracy

Jimmy Mulla
Southern Sudanese Voice for Freedom

Roger Winter
Former Assistant to the Deputy Secretary of State

Darara Gubo
International Christian Concern

Congressman Trent Franks
(Invited)

Congressman Michael Capuano
(Invited)

Representatives of Northern and Eastern Sudan
(Invited)

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