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Rebel Leader Riek Machar Returns to Juba

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Rebel Leader Riek Machar Returns to Juba

Posted by Enough Team on April 26, 2016

Tomorrow, John Prendergast testifies to Congress on peace, security for South Sudan

Opposition leader Riek Machar has returned to Juba, the capital of South Sudan. Machar is set to take up his post as vice-president in the transitional government. Experts at the Enough Project, an atrocity prevention policy group, are available for further comment and analysis as events develop.

Tomorrow, Wednesday, April 27, John Prendergast, Founding Director of the Enough Project, will testify on “South Sudan’s Prospects for Peace and Security” alongside other distinguished witnesses before the House Foreign Affairs’ Subcommittee on Africa, Global Health, Global Human Rights, and International Organizations.

John Prendergast, Founding Director of the Enough Project, said: “Machar's return cannot hide the most insidious obstacle to lasting peace, which is entrenched competitive corruption.  The violent kleptocracy that marks the world's newest state is likely to fuel further competition between the formerly warring factions to capture state resources. Forming a government with the same actors responsible for the collapse of the economy and atrocities holds open the possibility that grand corruption will return to its pre-war patterns. Local South Sudanese and international efforts to support accountability and transparency should be at the core of any peace promotion strategy going forward.  Without an emphasis on consequences for gross corruption and atrocities, it's unlikely the deadly patterns will be broken.”

Ian Schwab, Director of Advocacy at the Enough Project, said: “South Sudan's war created major self-enrichment opportunities, and peace threatens to undo some of these patterns of corruption.  The most difficult task facing the new transitional government will be how to effectively manage corruption and violence. The international community can play a critical role in holding South Sudan's leaders accountable to fulfill their commitments under the peace agreement.”

At the Congressional hearing, Prendergast will present specific recommendations for U.S. leadership, including imposing and enforcing targeted sanctions, to pressure South Sudan’s leaders to place the well-being of their people ahead of personal enrichment and power politics. 

Despite a formal peace agreement signed last August, armed conflict has continued while the South Sudanese people suffer mass atrocities, the displacement of millions, and an undeclared famine.

Hearing details: http://foreignaffairs.house.gov/hearing/subcommittee-hearing-south-sudan-s-prospects-peace-and-security

Testimony livestream: https://foreignaffairs.house.gov/live-video-feed

Interview availability: Mr. Prendergast will be available for selected media interviews following the hearing. For media inquiries or interview requests, please contact: Greg Hittelman, Director of Communications, +1 310 717 0606[email protected].

About THE ENOUGH PROJECT
The Enough Project, an atrocity prevention policy group, seeks to build leverage for peace and justice in Africa by helping to create real consequences for the perpetrators and facilitators of genocide and other mass atrocities. Enough aims to counter rights-abusing armed groups and violent kleptocratic regimes that are fueled by grand corruption, transnational crime and terror, and the pillaging and trafficking of minerals, ivory, diamonds, and other natural resources. Enough conducts field research in conflict zones, develops and advocates for policy recommendations, supports social movements in affected countries, and mobilizes public campaigns. Learn more – and join us – at www.EnoughProject.org