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Senators press State on Sudan amid testimony the conflict meets definitions of genocide; administration signals special envoy search
Summary
Senators said Sudan is experiencing mass atrocities and asked why the U.S. has not moved faster to surge humanitarian assistance; Secretary Rubio said the administration is pressing partners, will seek an appropriate special envoy and will follow up on transportation waivers that affect aid routes to Chad.
Committee members described the violence in Sudan as including ethnic cleansing and mass atrocities and asked the administration what steps it would take to accelerate humanitarian relief.
Senator Booker urged urgent U.S. leadership, pressing Secretary Rubio to appoint a special envoy for Sudan to coordinate humanitarian relief and diplomatic pressure. Rubio said the administration intends to identify a special envoy but must find the right person and would continue engagement with partners. “Yes,” he said when asked whether the administration would appoint an envoy, but added that locating the appropriate official has been a challenge.
Lawmakers also sought explanations for recent contract and payment decisions affecting humanitarian logistics in the region. Senators asked why waivers for a vital U.N. humanitarian air service into Chad were denied and urged that flights and overland logistics be restored; Rubio said he would check the specific waiver decisions and provide an answer.
Ending: The secretary pledged continued diplomatic outreach and to follow up with the committee on specific logistics questions, and senators urged immediate steps to resume and expand life‑saving deliveries while pushing partners to stop fueling the conflict.
