Rep. Sara Jacobs Urges Thoughtful Implementation of the Global Fragility Act to Address Coups in the Sahel and Justice and Accountability in Sudan
At a House Foreign Affairs Subcommittee hearing on the State of U.S. Policy toward the Sahel, Ranking Member Rep. Sara Jacobs (CA-51) stressed the importance of thoughtful implementation of the Global Fragility Act that centers young and marginalized communities to address the main drivers of violence and instability in the Sahel. Rep. Jacobs also pushed for justice and accountability measures in Sudan, including holding the RSF accountable for mass atrocities in Darfur and Khartoum and putting pressure on the UAE for its role in providing weapons to the RSF, to secure long-term peace and stability in Sudan.
Watch Rep. Sara Jacobs’ Opening Remarks Here
Rep. Sara Jacobs’ remarks as prepared:
“Thank you, Chairman James, and Assistant Secretary Phee, Assistant Secretary Wallander, and Mr. Jenkins for testifying before this subcommittee today on U.S. policy in the Sahel region.
“The past few years have shown that U.S. policy – and that of the international community – toward the Sahel region, have come up short. We’ve seen a string of coups and democratic backsliding across the Sahel region and the broader continent – including in Burkina Faso, Chad, Guinea, Mali, Niger, and Sudan. As a result, over 4 million people have been displaced in the Sahel alone – adding to global migration levels while the climate crisis and violence continue to affect food crops and food prices. And we have started to see insurgent violence spread its way toward the Coastal West African states – particularly Benin, Côte d’Ivoire, and Togo – which are working to secure their northern borders and address vulnerabilities to violent extremism.
“It is clear the United States needs to prioritize this region of the world, which is why I am so focused on the implementation of the Global Fragility Act and the resulting 10-year strategy to prevent conflict in Coastal West Africa. We know that a key driver of violent extremism is a lack of responsive governance. In many places that have experienced coups, young and marginalized populations don’t feel like they have a voice in their governments and aren't properly represented.
“This is especially important on the African continent where young people are the majority. Africa has the youngest population in the world, with 70% of sub-Saharan Africa under the age of 30. So we need to make sure that national, regional, and international government responses to violent extremism address governance – instead of prioritizing a security-first response. Too often, security forces have responded with a heavy hand and caused civilian harm, which only fuels underlying grievances against the state more. I saw this when I worked at the State Department: security forces’ abuses and human rights violations are some of the biggest drivers of violent extremism. So as we provide support to security forces working to address violent insurgents and secure their borders, we need to emphasize human rights and professionalization.
“With thoughtful implementation, the Global Fragility Act has the power to modernize our foreign policy and center conflict prevention and peacebuilding into the heart of our strategy. But one of the biggest tactics that we can’t overlook in addressing conflict is the importance of locally-led peacebuilding and development. Bringing in people who are involved in – and most affected by – violent conflict to create solutions is the most effective, efficient, and equitable way to do development and conflict-related work. We need to empower local people – not tell them what to do and perpetuate harmful cycles of colonialism.
“This is increasingly relevant in light of the civil war in Sudan, where young people have led the democracy movement and heroically stepped in to provide for their communities where the international community has been unable to operate. Even before the fighting started, 16 million people were already in need of aid. Many civilians lack the basics for life: food, water, shelter, medicine, and security while the SAF and RSF continue hostilities and make clear they are not serious about peace. I am glad to see the Biden Administration designate three former Bashir officials for their role in threatening peace, security, and stability in Sudan.
“But let’s be clear: more is needed to bring this war to an end and enable a viable pathway to peace and democracy for the Sudanese people. I am horrified by the mass atrocities committed by the RSF, particularly in Darfur but also Khartoum, and look forward to hearing from the Administration on what they are doing to prevent further atrocities, hold the RSF accountable, and recognize these atrocities for what they are. It is also clear there is much more pressure the United States can bring to bear on the UAE and its role in providing weapons to the RSF - violating the UN arms embargo and enabling mass atrocities in the region. Any path to peace in Sudan must be inclusive, credible, and transparent, and I hope to hear more from the Administration today on its strategy to meet these standards.
“So I’m looking forward to hearing from the witnesses today about the path forward for U.S. policy in the Sahel and Sudan, and especially how the U.S. can work with local communities to create long-term peace, stability, and security. Thank you.”
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