II 

118TH CONGRESS 

2D SESSION S. 5327 

To advance and protect the internationally recognized human rights of all 

Sudanese people, to hold perpetrators of war crimes, crimes against 

humanity, and genocide in Sudan accountable for their crimes, and 

for other purposes. 

IN THE SENATE OF THE UNITED STATES 

NOVEMBER 14, 2024 

Mr. COONS (for himself, Mr. RISCH, Mrs. SHAHEEN, and Mr. YOUNG) introduced the following bill; which was read twice and referred to the Committee on Foreign Relations 

A BILL 

To advance and protect the internationally recognized human 

rights of all Sudanese people, to hold perpetrators of 

war crimes, crimes against humanity, and genocide in 

Sudan accountable for their crimes, and for other purposes. 

1 Be it enacted by the Senate and House of Representa2 tives of the United States of America in Congress assembled, 

3 SECTION 1. SHORT TITLE; TABLE OF CONTENTS. 

4 (a) SHORT TITLE.—This Act may be cited as the 

5 ‘‘Sudan Accountability Act’’. 

6 (b) TABLE OF CONTENTS.—This table of contents for 

7 this Act is as follows: 


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Sec. 1. Short title; table of contents. 

Sec. 2. Definitions. 

Sec. 3. Statement of policy. 

Sec. 4. Report on gross violations of internationally recognized human rights in 

Sudan and the United States response. 

Sec. 5. Determination of genocide, war crimes, or crimes against humanity. 

Sec. 6. Strategy to support civilian protection and accountability in Sudan. 

Sec. 7. Support and technical assistance authorized. 

1 SEC. 2. DEFINITIONS. 

2 In this Act 

3 (1) APPROPRIATE CONGRESSIONAL COMMIT4 TEES.—The term ‘‘appropriate congressional com5 mittees’’ means the Committee on Foreign Relations 

6 of the Senate and the Committee on Foreign Affairs 

7 of the House of Representatives. 

8 (2) GENOCIDE.—The term ‘‘genocide’’ means 

9 an offense described in section 1091(a) of title 18, 

10 United States Code. 

11 (3) WAR CRIME.—The term ‘‘war crime’’— 

12 (A) has the meaning given such term in 

13 section 2441(c) of title 18, United States Code; 

14 and 

15 (B) includes sexual and gender-based vio16 lence. 

17 SEC. 3. STATEMENT OF POLICY. 

18 It is the policy of the United States— 

19 (1) to advance and protect the internationally 

20 recognized human rights of all Sudanese people, in21 cluding protections against sexual and gender-based 


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1 violence, regardless of ethnicity, religion, gender, or 

2 geographic area of origin; 

3 (2) to hold perpetrators of war crimes, crimes 

4 against humanity, and genocide in Sudan account5 able for their crimes; 

6 (3) to lead efforts to provide urgent humani7 tarian assistance to alleviate the suffering of the Su8 danese people, including those living in refugee 

9 camps outside of Sudan; 

10 (4) to ensure the inclusion of Sudanese women 

11 in peace negotiations, atrocity prevention, and con12 flict resolution efforts; 

13 (5) to utilize diplomatic, developmental, and 

14 legal tools to help stabilize Sudan and to end the 

15 terrible violence in the country; 

16 (6) to promote an inclusive, civilian-led political 

17 process for a peaceful, democratic, and unified 

18 Sudan; and 

19 (7) to counter malign foreign influence and 

20 disinformation that exacerbate the conflict in Sudan. 

21 SEC. 4. REPORT ON GROSS VIOLATIONS OF INTERNATION22 ALLY RECOGNIZED HUMAN RIGHTS IN SUDAN 

23 AND THE UNITED STATES RESPONSE. 

24 (a) IN GENERAL.—Not later than 90 days after the 

25 date of the enactment of this Act, and semiannually thereVerDate Sep 11 2014 02:37 Nov 15, 2024 Jkt 059200 PO 00000 Frm 00003 Fmt 6652 Sfmt 6201 E:\BILLS\S5327.IS S5327

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1 after until the date referred to in subsection (e), the Sec2 retary of State, in coordination with the heads of relevant 

3 Federal departments and agencies, shall submit to the ap4 propriate congressional committees a comprehensive re5 port regarding the conduct of, support for, and perpetra6 tors of gross violations of internationally recognized 

7 human rights in Sudan since April 15, 2023. 

8 (b) ELEMENTS.—The report required under sub9 section (a) shall include— 

10 (1) a description of any atrocities and other 

11 gross violations of internationally recognized human 

12 rights committed by the Sudanese Armed Forces, 

13 the Rapid Support Forces, associated armed actors, 

14 other entities of the Government of Sudan, and 

15 other individuals, including— 

16 (A) recruitment of children by armed 

17 groups or forces; 

18 (B) use of starvation and sexual and gen19 der-based violence as weapons of war, including 

20 systematic rape and other forms of sexual vio21 lence; 

22 (C) denial of humanitarian access, includ23 ing the obstruction of humanitarian assistance 

24 or the targeting of aid workers; and 


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1 (D) looting, occupation, or destruction of 

2 civilian infrastructure, including health facilities 

3 and schools, in violation of international hu4 manitarian law; 

5 (2) a description of the weapons employed in 

6 the commission of crimes described in paragraph 

7 (1), to the extent possible; 

8 (3) an analysis, conducted in consultation with 

9 the Director of National Intelligence, of the involve10 ment of foreign governments (including the Govern11 ments of China, Egypt, Iran, Russia, United Arab 

12 Emirates, and Saudi Arabia) and non-state foreign 

13 entities (such as the Wagner Group) in supporting, 

14 facilitating, or contributing to the conflict and atroc15 ities in Sudan, including information regarding— 

16 (A) engagement in, or support for, drone 

17 and aircraft strikes; 

18 (B) the estimated amount of arms and ma19 teriel transferred to the conflict parties or to 

20 foreign military contractors; 

21 (C) significant financial support provided 

22 to the conflict parties or non-state foreign enti23 ties operating in Sudan; 

24 (D) the presence of foreign forces or 

25 groups in Sudan; 


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1 (E) the source, frequency, and scope of 

2 violations of the United Nations arms embargo; 

3 and 

4 (F) diplomatic efforts by the United States 

5 regarding such foreign support; 

6 (4) a detailed list, developed in consultation 

7 with the Secretary of the Treasury, of actions taken 

8 and potential future actions that may be taken to 

9 hold individuals, entities, or foreign governments ac10 countable for their support of violations described in 

11 subsection (a); 

12 (5) a description, developed in consultation with 

13 the Administrator of the United States Agency for 

14 International Development, of current or planned 

15 United States foreign assistance programs aimed at 

16 supporting accountability, including efforts— 

17 (A) to train investigators inside and out18 side of Sudan to document, investigate, and 

19 identify alleged perpetrators, while ensuring the 

20 anonymity of respondents and sources; and 

21 (B) to provide independent, expert report22 ing regarding conflict activity and analysis, in23 cluding remote monitoring capabilities, of atroc24 ities and other gross violations of internation25 ally recognized human rights in Sudan; and 


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1 (6) an assessment, informed in consultation 

2 with relevant Federal departments and agencies, of 

3 the effectiveness, reach, and limitations of the tools 

4 and programs referred to in paragraphs (4) and (5) 

5 since April 15, 2023. 

6 (c) FORM.—The report required under subsection (a) 

7 shall be submitted by the Secretary of State in unclassified 

8 form, and may include a classified annex. 

9 (d) BRIEFING.—Not later than 15 days after submit10 ting each report required under subsection (a), the Sec11 retary of State, or the Secretary’s designee, shall brief the 

12 appropriate congressional committees regarding the con13 tents of such report. 

14 (e) TERMINATION.—The reporting and briefing re15 quirements under this section shall terminate on the date 

16 on which the Secretary of State submits to the appropriate 

17 congressional committees a determination that the parties 

18 to the conflict in Sudan have reached a viable peace agree19 ment. 

20 SEC. 5. DETERMINATION OF GENOCIDE, WAR CRIMES, OR 

21 CRIMES AGAINST HUMANITY. 

22 (a) IN GENERAL.—Not later than 30 days after the 

23 date of the enactment of this Act, and every 180 days 

24 thereafter until the date referred to in subsection (d), the 

25 Secretary of State, in consultation with the heads of the 


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1 relevant Federal departments and agencies, shall submit 

2 to the appropriate congressional committees an updated 

3 determination on whether actions by the Sudanese Armed 

4 Forces, the Rapid Support Forces, and associated military 

5 forces, or associated armed actors constitute genocide, war 

6 crimes, or crimes against humanity in Sudan. 

7 (b) FORM.—The determination required under sub8 section (a) shall be submitted in an unclassified form and 

9 published on the Department of State’s public website, but 

10 may include a classified annex. 

11 (c) BRIEFING.—Not later than 15 days after submit12 ting each report pursuant to subsection (a), the Secretary 

13 of State, or the Secretary’s designee, shall brief the appro14 priate congressional committees regarding the contents of 

15 such report. 

16 (d) TERMINATION.—The reporting and briefing re17 quirements under this section shall terminate on the date 

18 on which the Secretary of State submits to the appropriate 

19 congressional committees a determination that the parties 

20 to the conflict in Sudan have reached a viable peace agree21 ment. 

22 SEC. 6. STRATEGY TO SUPPORT CIVILIAN PROTECTION 

23 AND ACCOUNTABILITY IN SUDAN. 

24 (a) IN GENERAL.—The Secretary of State, in coordi25 nation with the Secretary of the Treasury, the Secretary 


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1 of Defense, the Administrator of the United States Agency 

2 for International Development, and the heads of other rel3 evant Federal departments and agencies, shall develop a 

4 comprehensive strategy to protect civilians in Sudan, uti5 lizing all available United States sanctions and account6 ability tools, and enhancing diplomatic, financial, and legal 

7 measures to hold perpetrators of atrocities and other gross 

8 violations of internationally recognized human rights ac9 countable. 

10 (b) ELEMENTS.—The strategy required under sub11 section (a) shall include a description of the Secretary’s 

12 plans— 

13 (1) to coordinate with the United Nations, the 

14 African Union, the European Union, and other 

15 international partners to protect civilians in Sudan 

16 and to hold accountable perpetrators of atrocities 

17 and other gross violations of their internationally 

18 recognized human rights; 

19 (2) to ensure unrestricted humanitarian access 

20 to vulnerable populations and implement protection 

21 measures, including enforcing the United Nations 

22 Security Council Resolutions 1556 and 1591, relat23 ing to an arms embargo in Darfur, advocating for 

24 its expansion across Sudan, and preventing human 


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1 trafficking, sexual and gender-based violence, and 

2 the recruitment of child soldiers; 

3 (3) to utilize targeted sanctions under the Glob4 al Magnitsky Act (22 U.S.C. 10101 et seq.), the 

5 International Emergency Economic Powers Act (50 

6 U.S.C. 1701 et seq.), and Executive Order 14098 

7 (50 U.S.C. 1701 note; relating to imposing sanctions 

8 on certain persons destabilizing Sudan and under9 mining the goal of a democratic transition), and visa 

10 restrictions under section 212(a)(3)(C) of the Immi11 gration and Nationality Act (8 U.S.C. 

12 1182(a)(3)(C)) and section 7031(c) of the Depart13 ment of State, Foreign Operations, and Related Pro14 grams Appropriations Act, 2024 (division F of Pub15 lic Law 118–47; 8 U.S.C. 1182 note) as a com16 prehensive approach to holding accountable those re17 sponsible for atrocities and other severe internation18 ally recognized human rights violations in Sudan; 

19 (4) to establish and support community-based 

20 protection measures, including early warning sys21 tems using satellite imagery, local intelligence, and 

22 open-source data, and train local peace committees 

23 and protection groups to mediate disputes and 

24 strengthen resilience against violence; 


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1 (5) to implement specific measures to protect 

2 women and girls from sexual and gender-based vio3 lence; 

4 (6) to evaluate the feasibility of and mobilize 

5 support for an internationally led civilian protection 

6 force to support stabilization and deter attacks on 

7 civilians and humanitarian workers; 

8 (7) to conduct public diplomacy campaigns to 

9 raise awareness of sanctions and accountability 

10 measures, counter disinformation, and support inde11 pendent media and civil society in documenting 

12 atrocities and disseminating accurate information 

13 about the conflict in Sudan; and 

14 (8) to assist international judicial mechanisms 

15 to prosecute individuals responsible for war crimes, 

16 crimes against humanity, and genocide in Sudan. 

17 (c) CONSULTATION REQUIREMENT.—The Secretary 

18 of State shall consult with relevant Federal departments 

19 and agencies and stakeholders, including human rights or20 ganizations, Sudanese civil society representatives, and 

21 international partners, in developing and implementing 

22 the strategy required under this section. 

23 (d) REPORT.—Not later than 30 days after the date 

24 of the enactment of this Act, the Secretary of State, in 

25 consultation with other relevant Federal departments and 


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1 agencies, shall submit the report required under sub2 section (a) in an unclassified form, which shall include the 

3 information described in subsection (b) and may include 

4 a classified annex. 

5 (e) IMPLEMENTATION MONITORING.—Not later than 

6 180 days after the date of the enactment of this Act, the 

7 Secretary of State, in coordination with the Secretary of 

8 the Treasury, the Administrator of the United State Agen9 cy for International Development, and the heads of other 

10 relevant Federal departments and agencies, shall submit 

11 a monitoring report on the implementation of the strategy 

12 required under subsection (a) and the plans required 

13 under subsection (b), which shall describe— 

14 (1) diplomatic efforts and international coordi15 nation to protect civilians and hold perpetrators of 

16 atrocities and other gross violations on internation17 ally recognized human rights accountable, with a 

18 clear delineation of the United States role and re19 sponsibilities in such efforts; 

20 (2) foreign assistance provided, including types, 

21 amounts, and beneficiary reach; 

22 (3) any sanctions imposed under relevant au23 thorities and the impact of such sanctions on tar24 geted individuals and entities; 


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1 (4) the frequency and severity of atrocities and 

2 other gross violations of internationally recognized 

3 human rights violations reported and United States 

4 responses to such violations; 

5 (5) the effectiveness of mechanisms in pre6 venting and mitigating violence, including sexual and 

7 gender-based violence and violence against children; 

8 (6) the number of local civilian protection meas9 ures established and their impact on conflict dynam10 ics, including support to advance warning initiatives 

11 and local peace committees; 

12 (7) the progress made towards the feasibility 

13 and resource mobilization for an internationally led 

14 protection force; 

15 (8) outcomes of public diplomacy initiatives to 

16 raise awareness, counter information manipulation, 

17 and support independent media and civil society; 

18 (9) assistance provided to international mecha19 nisms to investigate and prosecute perpetrators of 

20 atrocities in Sudan; and 

21 (10) efforts towards greater protection of the 

22 Sudanese people and accountability for perpetrators 

23 of violence against them, including recommendations 

24 for future actions. 


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1 (f) BRIEFING.—Not later than 15 days after submit2 ting each of the reports required under subsections (d) 

3 and (e), the Secretary of State, or the Secretary’s des4 ignee, shall brief the appropriate congressional committees 

5 regarding the contents of such report, including— 

6 (1) the status of the implementation of the 

7 strategy; and 

8 (2) any changes or updates based on evolving 

9 conditions in Sudan. 

10 SEC. 7. SUPPORT AND TECHNICAL ASSISTANCE AUTHOR11 IZED. 

12 (a) IN GENERAL.—Subject to relevant provisions of 

13 the Foreign Assistance Act of 1961 (22 U.S.C. 2151 et 

14 seq.), the President, in coordination with the Secretary of 

15 State and the Administrator of the United States Agency 

16 for International Development, is authorized to provide as17 sistance, including technical assistance, to promote ac18 countability, support victims of atrocities, and facilitate 

19 conflict resolution in Sudan, including— 

20 (1) medical, legal, and psychosocial assistance 

21 to victims of atrocities and displaced persons, with 

22 a specific focus on women, children, and other vul23 nerable groups; 

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1 gency response rooms, to implement civilian protec2 tion, monitoring, and public education programs to 

3 prevent atrocities; 

4 (3) financial, technical, and diplomatic assist5 ance to the African Union and other regional enti6 ties to resolve conflicts and empower civil society, es7 pecially marginalized communities, in peacebuilding 

8 and reconciliation; and 

9 (4) support mechanisms for accountability, dia10 logue, and transitional justice, including evidence 

11 preservation and strengthening legal and investiga12 tive capacities. 

13 (b) IMPLEMENTATION.—The Secretary of State, in 

14 consultation with the Administrator of the United States 

15 Agency for International Development, shall coordinate 

16 with international organizations, nongovernmental organi17 zations, and local civil society groups in Sudan and neigh18 boring countries to implement the programs authorized 

19 under subsection (a). 

20 (c) NOTIFICATION.—No funds appropriated for as21 sistance authorized under subsection (a) may be obligated 

22 or expended without prior notification to the appropriate 

23 congressional committees. 

Æ 


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