Condemning attacks on civilians in Sudan and calling for an end to external support to the warring parties and for efforts to promote a negotiated settlement of the war.

Summary of H.R. 1179 (119th Congress, 2nd Session)

Title: Condemning attacks on civilians in Sudan and calling for an end to external support to the warring parties and for efforts to promote a negotiated settlement of the war

Status: Introduced in the House on April 15, 2026; referred to the Committee on Foreign Affairs

Primary Sponsors: Rep. Pramila Jayapal (with several co-sponsors: Reps. Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez, Gregory Meeks, Sara Jacobs, Jonathan Jackson, Gabe Amo, Sydney Kamlager-Dove)

Purpose and Intent
- The resolution condemns violence against civilians in Sudan and urges an end to external military and material support to the competing warring parties (the Sudanese Armed Forces, SAF, and the Rapid Support Forces, RSF).
- It calls for renewed international and U.S. efforts to negotiate a peaceful, democratic settlement that leads to civilian-led governance and a transition away from military rule.

Key Provisions and Provisions Aimed At
1. Condemnation and protection of civilians
- Reiterates that all Sudanese people deserve safety and security.
- Condemns attacks on civilians, including the RSF’s alleged genocidal campaign against non-Arab communities in Darfur, and calls on all parties to protect civilians and to stop attacks on schools, medical facilities, and places of worship.

1. Humanitarian access and aid worker safety

   • Applauds humanitarian actors and calls on warring parties to grant aid workers unfettered access and to ensure their safety, enabling life-saving assistance to reach affected populations.

2. End of external support to warring parties

   • Urges external actors to immediately terminate material and other forms of support to the RSF and SAF.

3. U.S. policy and diplomacy

   • Calls on the U.S. (specifically the Trump Administration at the time of drafting) to take clear, resolute action to end external support to the warring parties.
   • Encourages negotiating an end to the Sudanese civil war and restoring civilian-led democratic governance in Sudan.

4. International and post-conflict considerations

   • Encourages the international community to prioritize civilian-focused efforts to end the war.
   • At an appropriate time, supports post-conflict reconstruction and recovery.
   • Recommends the establishment of a robust transitional justice mechanism to restore the rule of law, strengthen social cohesion, and hold perpetrators of mass killings, sexual violence, and other abuses accountable.

Context and Rationale
- The bill reflects concerns about a three-year civil war (since April 15, 2023) between SAF and RSF.
- It cites reported casualties, displacements, and documented atrocities, including findings by U.S. and UN bodies about war crimes, crimes against humanity, and genocide.
- Emphasizes Sudan’s humanitarian crisis, regional stability risks, and the imperative for a non-military resolution to the conflict.

Potential Impact
- Politically signals U.S. congressional support for a negotiated settlement and civilian-led governance in Sudan.
- Advocates for an end to external military support, which could influence U.S. foreign policy actions, sanctions, and aid allocation.
- Highlights accountability mechanisms and post-conflict reconstruction, potentially shaping future diplomatic, humanitarian, and transitional justice programs.

Procedural and Timeline Aspects
- The bill is a non-binding sense-of-the-House resolution expressing the views and policy preferences of the sponsors.
- It is currently in the House Committee on Foreign Affairs; no bill text appears to impose mandatory new laws or funding in this version.
- No specific dates or phase-in timelines are included beyond the call for timely action and appropriate future steps for post-conflict reconstruction.

Key Takeaways for Readers
- H.R. 1179 is a declarative resolution condemning violence in Sudan and urging the United States and international community to end external support to warring parties and to pursue a negotiated, civilian-led settlement.
- It emphasizes civilian protection, humanitarian access, accountability for atrocities, and a path toward post-conflict reconstruction and justice.