[shouting] was to have as the representative is a tory [laughter] even one with a fine hairstyle this. I well remember when he came to question time not within into those the but with a model of the vessel that he wanted build so near to his constituency and im proud that this government is building that vessel as indeed another one like it but i also accept, humbly accept, that one, im sure there are many people in scotland would like to talk about this issue. Might appeal doesnt stretch to every single part, but the key point he is making is absolutely right. The reason the yes campaign and the no campaign cant seem to get a debate is because those who want to break up the united kingdom, they know theyre losing the argument so they want to change the question. Its the oldest trick in the book and we can all see i you have been watching prime ministers questions. You can watch any time on www. C span. Org, where you can find videos of past prime ministers questions and other programs. Returnambers of commerce tomorrow. A shortterm resolution to keep the government funded past wednesday and the spending bill to keep the government funded through 2014. Continuee gavels into work on a bill to extend Unemployment Insurance benefits that expired. They will vote on the confirmation of robert wilkins. On cspan 2. Nancy reagan was the first sitting first lady to address the United Nations and the first to address the nation in a joint appearance with the president. To my young friends, life can be great but not when you cannot see it. Open your eyes to your life to see it with the colors god gave us, to enjoy life to the fullest and to make it count. Say yes to your life, and when it comes to drugs and alcohol, just say no. First Lady Nancy Reagan as our original series returns. Monday night live at 9 00 eastern. Also on cspan radio and www. C span. Org. Now testimony on the conflict in south sudan from state department and usaid officials. The fighting started between the current army and rebels linked to a former Vice President. They are recommending all americans leave. The hearing last two hours 15 minutes. Good morning. This hearing will come to order. All of us are deeply troubled by the situation in south sudan. The reason for this being the first hearing of this committee for the new year is the hope our attention can send a message to all parties in the sudan that the ceasefire, a continuing ceasefire, a political reconciliation is critical for u. S. Longterm assistance, and canoing so, hopefully we save lives. We have many questions on the direction in which this young nation is heading and the greater implications of the conflict, and i hope our panel will provide us with the per , whichs on the ground underscores the importance of Congress Moving quickly with our embassy operating at severely reduced capacity as a result of the violence. Looking back, the United States government and members of this committee were hopeful when we strongly supported south sudans independence in 2011. With theades of war Sudanese Government the people voted for selfdetermination and the chance to complete a prosperous democratic society. Now that is in jeopardy. People have been killed. More than 194,000 have and displays. Humanitarian conditions will certainly deteriorate. I think we can all agree it is acessary that to avoid downward spiral into further chaos all armed elements must cease hostilities completely. Repeated violence will only jeopardize further u. S. Assistance. Having said that, there is some reason for hope and optimism. Other African Leaders for arranging negotiations in thedeal, and i commend president and former Vice President for sending delegations to talk. At the end of the day there is only one option. Let me reiterate secretarys remarks that all parties must make efforts to seek a solution. Todays panelists are here to understand the crisis. We hope to gain insight into the nature of the rebellion. Are they cohesive . Are they fragmented . How much control does he have over rebel forces . I would hope our panel could provide answers. Danger of the violence spiraling out of control . What are the grievances and must be addressed . What are the humanitarian needs . What can the united dates to to play a role for the shortterm and longterm reconciliation . And what will that look like. Think you for being here with us today. As it is an understatement to say south sudan is at a critical juncture today. Security. Beefed up there were real expectations about the future of south sudan. I think we understand it was the ,ovement that united a country and now that it is achieved, and duere dissipating, to the lack of good leadership it is dissipating. It could make it more difficult to overcome. We have a long history, and people expect us to be that the uganda,kstop, and why ethiopia, and kenya are playing Important Roles, and south sudan is aportant to china, this place where people expect us to make a difference, so in thation to the conflict is ongoing and causing murders in the kinds of things we hate to see taking place in any country, we also realize the morass and is going to take an incredible effort over a longer time. Thepreciate hearing administrations point of view today. I know they share the urgency, and i look forward to hearing asr comments as to where we a nation should go from here relative to south sudan. Inc. You. Thank you. Let me introduce our panelists. The assistant secretary of state for african affairs. We appreciate her work and nancy lindberg. Full statements will be included in the record without objection. We ask you to keep it around five minutes so we can enter in a dialogue. Madame secretary, i will call on you first. Thank you. Chairman, Ranking Member, Foreign Relations committee, thank you for the opportunity to testify before you today. Subject is one in which you and other members are deeply concerned about and that you care about sudan. I regret that ambassador whose is unable to testify today as we ise him ambassador booth unable to testify. Three years ago today, and it is really important that this is the anniversary of south sudans independence. On january 9 the people of south sudan voted for independence from the republic of sudan. They weredes of war, peacefully voting for separation and a new future. There totor kerry was witness that historic moment. The United States played a Critical Role at getting the nation on the map. Today the world showed this country, one of the most fragile democracies, is in danger of shattering. The United Nations reported 1000 people have died. 240,000 people have fled their homes. Political rivalries have taken on at the dimensions ethnic dimensions. Atrocities are committed. Men, women, and children are caught in the crossfire. This is not the future for which the people of sudan voted for. A political struggle escalated into broader violence. , and a fewg began things became crystal clear. Neither the United States nor the International Community will contemplate the armed overthrow of a democratically elected government. Violence must stop. Those responsible for perpetrating human rights abuses must we held accountable, and this crisis will not be held on the battlefield. We have made that point over and over again. The roots of this conflict are much deeper. I resolution can only come through a broader reconciliation. They must commit humanitarian access for the women and children who are the real victims of this violence. The United States has engaged in an effort to help bring an end to the fighting. With other highranking officials. As well as the heads of state, Foreign Ministers in neighboring countries and around the world. We have galvanized support to an hostility and open a broader dialogue between the side with s for accountability. We have sought the release of political detainees. Parties theghting situationsecurity remains critical, particularly for the civilians who have sought protection in the u. N. Compounds. This must be addressed. We propose the Security Council unanimously adopted a resolution. In turn, we are actively encouraging Member States to provide police units, including transfers from the region. As my colleague will discuss, we 50 million in humanitarian assistance. The president s special envoy to sudan and south sudan, who could not be here today to testify because he is in ethiopia. The ambassador has been in the region since december 22. He has been working around the clock. He has met repeatedly with officials. He has had lengthy discussions. He has secured the First Official visit with political detainees and sat down with religious leaders to help find a solution. This is an allout effort on our speciald given our history with south sudan we are working with neighbors through organization for development. A special summit was held 12 days after the conflict again. The ethiopian minister and kenyan general are the negotiating who are leading this effort. Are alsoans neighbors providing for the refugees. These negotiations offer the best hope for south sudan and the nation. An agreement to end hostilities will provide time and space for an agreement to began. Thereides must recognize can be no military solutions. Rebels been clear to the we will not recognize the violent overthrow of a democratically elected government. At the same time we make clear to the government they must open political space to allow for greater inclusion. The United States strongly believes the Political Prisoners theythe released, and each must be released, and each day the conflict continues and more civilians are killed, injured, and forced to flee. The humanitarian situation grows dire, and those on the sidelines are pulled into the conflict. Let me conclude by saying i am concerned that the crisis has potential to escalate even further. While we do not know the scale of atrocities committed the us far, there is clear evidence there are targeted killings taking place. Countless civilians, women and children have become victims of violence. Each violent act threatens to return south sudan to the cycle of violence and instruction south sudanese of all ethnic cities and backgrounds and backgroundsand voted to end. In addition to calling for an , dialogue ande the release of prisoners, the theed dates is exploring possibility of pressures against individuals on both sides who interfere with peace and reconciliation and south sudan and those responsible for committing serious human rights abuses. Giving menk you for the opportunity to speak today. Let me thank you for your commitment to the people of sudan and your efforts in the region. Thank you. Member,man, Ranking Members of the Foreign Relations committee, thank you for holding toearing and inviting me testify, and thank you for your ongoing support around the world, which continues to save millions of lives. Has been avernment strong supporter of people of sudan for decades, through the civil war, and through the independence of 2011, and we are deeply alarmed by the horrific violence that now threatens this theggle, especially today, third anniversary of independence in which 99 of the people voted to form the world youngest nation. The outbreak of hostilities has a rep did to heavy fighting across seven of south sudans 10 state. The fighting is the result of grievances in a that hasew state institutions not able to deliver justice or services to its people, and coupled with this unresolved power struggle, it has united tensions along ethnic lines, and were now seeing a renewed cycle of killing. This new fighting creates urgent new steps of humanitarian needs. It also complicates our ability to meet the specific needs that already existed across south sudan, one of the poorest nations on earth. An estimated 40 of the 4. 4 Million People were already in need of humanitarian assistance before the recent violence. This is the result of two decades of civil war, communal violence, recurring floods and drought, plus influx of over 2000 refugees into south sudan from blue nile states since 2011, so the lack of roads, the pervasive underdevelopment that already made south sudan one of the most logistically difficult environment further complicates our work today. Seasonal rates that routinely cut off access to entire regions for months at a time, so our challenge is twofold. Both respond to hostility driven as find a way to continue our work that ekes to assist more than half the population in need. The United States remains deeply committed to the people of su dan and a few more words on the rapidly changing situation and the humanitarian response. The violence has already thanred the lives of more 1000 people, and as of today we see more than 270,000 people driven from their homes. Of those, 60,000 have been forced to seek reduction in the eight peacekeeping missions located in major towns around the country, and almost earning 9000 have sought refuge in uganda, ethiopia, and kenya. This just a few hours away is a strategic gateway to south sudans capital. It is caught in a desperate tug ofwar between the fighting factions. It has borne the brunt of fighting and looting. We are hearing graphic reports of unburied oddities along the roads. More than 84,000 people have fled to make a treacherous journey across the white nile river to seek shelter in a neighboring county, where relief agencies found People Living in the hot sun with very short supplies of food and medical assistance, and parents are making difficult choices of whether to separate from their children so they can make safe trips out of the area. There were numerous sites, including a newly discovered place of 30,000 displaced south sudanese. People continue to flee the shifting lines of control in the ongoing violence, so our humanitarian response is immensely affected by the chaotic conditions. River, typically a major supply conduit, has been off limits because barges have been commandeered for hostile purposes. Stockrently have ample files of key supplies that have previously in positioned around the countries as part of our normal response effort you it is the Security Response conditions movementimpeding the of those supplies and him peeling supply chains. U. S. Aid set up a Response Team in nairobi as well as one in washington shortly after the violence began, and since then, we have been working closely with u. N. And humanitarian partners to support the urgent, new programs, as well as to seek to plan for the upcoming rainy season. The good news is that in the middle of this crisis, there is deep expertise. Announced anwe additional 50 million in addition to our ongoing humanitarian commitment of 300 2014, andr 2013 and the new funding will help us support family means vacation family reunification and have additional capacity. We have prioritized Additional Support for flights that enable the u. N. To regularly reach seven of the compounds now with urgent food and supplies. We just received confirmation that three u. N. Flight reached the area that previously we werent able to reach. Thatoday, the one reports relief agencies have reached in the bases and the new settlements with urgent relief. Immediate, unconditional, and full access for humanitarian assistance the route south sudan is of urgent and utmost importance. Workers, both international and south sudanese, are currently working at great personal risk, and they must have safe passage to reach those in need. Not onlyo make sure we reach those whose lives have been upended by new violence but also to begin to resupply in advance of the april rains or risk an even greater crisis with rising hunger through the country. Pressing for humanitarian access is a key in urgent part of the ongoing negotiations for keys. The south sudanese leaders have the ability to ease the suffering of their people. Remainsed states steadfast in its decadeslong commitment to the people of sudan, and we thank you for your ongoing support and commitment and attention to this new crisis. Thank you. Well, thank you. Let me start off with you, secretary. What evidence is there to suggest that there are underlying, and i am going to talk about that following this first question, but what evidence suggests that the events that triggered the crisis were a coup attempt by the former Vice President . Senator, thank you for that question. We look at the situation, that has been an ongoing situation in south sudan for almost one year. There were internal dynamics spla that started with his being put out, voted out of his Vice President ial heardon, and what we have through many sources, all public, was that there was a fight that occurred at the party onvention that took lace december 15 and that that led to the ongoing conflict. We have not seen any evidence that this was a coup attempt, but it certainly was the result of a huge Political Risk riff between him and the president. View then how do you decision to take part in an armed rebellion against the government of south sudan . It is an armed rebellion against the government of south sudan, and it started as a result of the political riff. Should resolve this through political talks, through negotiations, and not through war. What happened on december 15 was, we understand, and attack lefts home, and then he and it happened after that. Are we advocates of expanding the Peace Process . We are also kissed on the of the moment and wanting to create a ceasefire and save lives, but the long term prospect seems to me to, in byt, fundamentally be expanding the Peace Process and creating a more inclusive process. Otherwise, a quick and what some might describe quick and dirty resolution of powersharing between the powers that exist is not going to bring the lo