Markey, Warren, Massachusetts Lawmakers Urge Secretary Blinken to Provide All Possible Support to Americans in Sudan, Request Congressional Briefing

Source: United States Senator for Massachusetts Ed Markey

Text of Letter (PDF)

Washington (April 25, 2023) – Today, Senators Edward J. Markey and Elizabeth Warren (D-Mass.), a member of the Senate Armed Services Committee (SASC), and Representatives Lori Trahan (MA-03), Jim McGovern (MA-02) and Stephen F. Lynch (MA-08) sent a letter to Secretary of State Antony Blinken urging him to do everything possible to provide assistance to Americans in Sudan. The United Nations’ World Health Organization estimates at least 420 people have been killed and more than 3,700 people have been injured since fighting between the Sudanese Armed Forces (SAF) and Rapid Support Forces (RSF) began. 

“Approximately 16,000 Americans live in Sudan. As you know, the situation on the ground is incredibly unstable and confusing, including possible disinformation about RSF assisting in evacuating Americans. Now that the United States has evacuated its embassy staff, there’s even more uncertainty for the Americans left behind,” said the lawmakers. 

“Many Americans are now ‘really desperately’ wanting to get home. We appreciate your work to bring this conflict to an end, including securing a temporary ceasefire. We also appreciate the support and communication we’ve received from the State Department regarding the safety and whereabouts of U.S. nationals in Sudan, including Massachusettsans. But your efforts must include providing all possible support to U.S. citizens in Sudan who want to leave. We urge you to develop and implement a plan to do so immediately and invite the State Department to brief our offices as soon as possible, continued the lawmakers.

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