George Clooney’s pressure group to warn against removing sanction on Sudan

The director of an American pressure group opposed to the easing of sanctions on Sudan is expected to testify before the US Congress Wednesday, the Congress website revealed today.

Brad Brooks-Rubin, Policy Director at The Sentry and Enough Project is set to address Congress to speak on “The questionable case for easing Sudan sanctions.” The hearing will also include activists who will appear before the US House Foreign Affairs Subcommittee on Africa, Global Health, Global Human Rights and international organisations hearing.

Sentry is a team of analysts, experts and forensic investigators, co-founded by the actor George Clooney and activist John Prendergast. It focuses on South Sudan, Sudan, the Democratic Republic of Congo, Somalia and the Central African Republic.

Congress is also expected to also hear testimonies from: Bill O’Keefe, Vice President for Government Relations and Advocacy, Catholic Relief Services, David Dettoni, Senior Advisor, Sudan Relief Fund, Mohamed Abubakr, President, The African Middle Eastern Leadership Project and Honourable Princeton N. Lyman, Senior Advisor to the President, United States Institute of Peace.

Sudan is hoping that US sanctions imposed in 1997 and 2005 will be completely lifted to attract foreign trade and investment. On 19th January this year, the sanctions were temporarily lifted by outgoing President Obama but a final decision is expected to be taken in June.