Rhino: Agencies – The U.S. State Department must provide Special Envoy for Sudan Tom Perriello with the resources and staff urgently needed to realign U.S. policy, build a supportive international coalition, and address Sudan’s massive humanitarian needs, said U.S. Senator Jim Risch, a Republican.

In a statement marking the one-year anniversary of the war in Sudan, the top Republican on the Senate Foreign Relations Committee said failure to provide the necessary support jeopardizes the success of the envoy’s mission.

“The war in Sudan has lasted a year, too long, and has devastated the country and its people,” he said.

Ten months into the conflict in Sudan – and under significant pressure from Congress – the administration appointed Tom Perriello as special envoy for Sudan, but he lacks the resources and staff to effectively manage the issue and conduct the necessary diplomacy, Rich said.