WASHINGTON—Representative Eliot L. Engel, Chairman of the House Committee on Foreign Affairs, today made the following statement regarding the coup in Sudan:

“While Omar al-Bashir will no longer terrorize the people of Sudan, I am concerned that Awad Ibn Auf, part of Mr. Bashir's inner circle, has proclaimed himself the head of a two-year transitional military government. Surely the Sudanese government's numerous victims have not forgotten his role in gross human rights abuses, for which he was sanctioned by the United States in 2007. Moreover, Mr. Auf has stood at Mr. Bashir's side as the regime has detained and tortured thousands of peaceful protesters, and as its security forces have killed over 60 people since December 2018. I am deeply skeptical that Mr. Bashir's cronies can spearhead true political and economic reform and accountability for past human rights abuses.

“The people of Sudan have shown remarkable bravery and solidarity in standing up to repression, and they now deserve a civilian-led transitional government. While it would be extremely difficult for the United States to work with a regime led by an abusive military ruler, a civilian-led government would represent a more natural partner for the United States, one which we could offer debt relief, economic and technical assistance, and normalized relations. As Chairman of the House Foreign Affairs Committee, I will do all that I can in concert with the Administration and my colleagues in Congress to ensure robust American support for improved bilateral relations based on genuine democratic reform.”