HR1939-119

What This Bill Does

The U.S. Engagement in Sudanese Peace Act is a Sudan diplomacy, sanctions, humanitarian, and oversight package. It sets U.S. policy to support an inclusive ceasefire and peace process that includes women, youth leaders, and marginalized communities; survivor-centered accountability for genocide, war crimes, crimes against humanity, and conflict-related sexual and gender-based violence; unrestricted humanitarian aid; civilian protection; and a civilian-led transition to democracy. It urges sanctions on RSF and SAF leaders and adult family members, RSF designation, expansion of the U.N. arms embargo, U.N. assessed contributions for an African Union civilian-protection or ceasefire-monitoring force if authorized, and more funding channels for emergency response rooms and local mutual aid organizations. The President must report on foreign persons tied to Sudan atrocities or humanitarian-aid obstruction since April 2023 and Darfur arms embargo violations, then impose packages of sanctions including property blocking, Export-Import Bank denial, limits on loans above $10 million, opposition to international financial institution loans, DFC and USTDA support bans, federal procurement bans, and visa restrictions, with humanitarian and national-security exceptions and waiver authority. The bill also requires a Sudan strategy within 120 days and 180-day implementation reports for four years; changes the Special Envoy appointment authority, extends the office to five years, and authorizes $4 million annually for fiscal years 2025 through 2029; authorizes support for U.N., African Union, or multinational forces protecting civilians, facilitating aid, or monitoring a ceasefire; bars major defense equipment sales to countries identified as supporting RSF or SAF unless waived; and requires reports on humanitarian-access restrictions and U.S. weapons used in Sudan.

Who Benefits and How

Sudanese civilians benefit from a U.S. strategy focused on civilian protection, humanitarian access, atrocity prevention, and inclusive peace negotiations. Sudanese women, youth leaders, and marginalized communities benefit because the policy and strategy require meaningful inclusion in political dialogue. Emergency response rooms and local mutual aid organizations benefit from a congressional push for greater funding and market-based assistance. Human rights investigators and survivors benefit from sanctions, evidence preservation, forensic support, and survivor-centered accountability work. The Special Envoy for Sudan benefits from a five-year authorization and $4 million per year for fiscal years 2025 through 2029.

Who Bears the Burden and How

Foreign persons tied to atrocities, aid obstruction, or Darfur arms embargo violations face property blocking, lending restrictions, procurement bans, and visa limits. RSF, SAF, and external supporters face sanctions strategy, possible arms embargo expansion, and defense-equipment sales restrictions. The President, State Department, Treasury, DHS, USAID, DFC, USTDA, and intelligence agencies must produce reports, impose sanctions, process waivers, and implement strategy updates. Countries restricting U.S. humanitarian assistance in Sudan face certification scrutiny and potential foreign-assistance consequences. Defense exporters may lose major defense equipment sales to countries identified as supporting RSF or SAF.

Key Provisions

• Establishes U.S. policy supporting inclusive Sudan peace talks, humanitarian access, civilian protection, accountability, and civilian-led transition.
• Requires reports identifying foreign persons tied to atrocities, humanitarian-aid obstruction, and Darfur arms embargo violations.
• Requires sanctions packages and sets termination, humanitarian exception, classified-information, and waiver rules.
• Directs a Sudan strategy, four years of implementation reports, Special Envoy extension and funding, civilian-protection force assistance, defense-export restrictions, and humanitarian-access and weapons-use reports.