A US congressional committee has advanced legislation that would push Washington to challenge the legitimacy of Sudan’s current representatives at the United Nations, in a major escalation of political and diplomatic pressure over the war in Sudan.
The bill, titled the U.S. Engagement in Sudanese Peace Act, was approved as part of a House Foreign Affairs Committee legislative session and now moves forward in Congress.
The measure calls on the US Secretary of State and the US ambassador to the United Nations to take immediate steps with the UN General Assembly’s Credentials Committee to trigger Rule 29 of the Assembly’s rules of procedure.
The provision is aimed at challenging the continued presence of Sudan’s current representatives in international bodies as the legitimate representatives of the Republic of Sudan, until Washington determines that the country has transitioned to a civilian-led or democratically elected government.
The move revives and expands an earlier credentials-track challenge over Sudan’s international representation, but gives it new weight by placing it inside legislation moving through Congress.
If enacted, the bill would mark a significant shift in Washington’s handling of the Sudan crisis, moving beyond sanctions and public statements toward a direct challenge to the Port Sudan junta’s claim to represent the country internationally.
The legislation also directs the US administration to use its voice, vote and influence at the United Nations and other multilateral bodies to press for unimpeded humanitarian access, support the documentation of atrocities, develop civilian protection plans and advocate for an end to hostilities.
In a separate sanctions provision, the bill requires the US Secretary of State and Treasury Secretary to conduct a comprehensive review within 90 days of enactment to determine whether any parties to Sudan’s war meet the criteria for designation under US counterterrorism authorities as Specially Designated Global Terrorists.
The findings would have to be submitted to Congress, along with a determination on whether any party to the war should be designated.
The bill also calls for sanctions against foreign individuals or entities identified as having committed, directed or aided genocide, war crimes or crimes against humanity in Sudan since April 2023, as well as those accused of systematically blocking humanitarian aid to civilians.
Another section requires a report on foreign individuals violating the UN arms embargo on Darfur, while the legislation also urges Washington to seek the expansion of that embargo into a nationwide arms embargo covering all of Sudan.
The proposed law comes amid growing pressure in Washington for a tougher response to Sudan’s war, which has triggered one of the world’s worst humanitarian crises, displaced millions of people and intensified calls for accountability over atrocities and obstruction of aid.
The bill still requires approval by the full House of Representatives and the Senate before it can be sent to the president for signature.
If passed, it would give congressional backing to a broader US strategy combining sanctions, diplomatic pressure, humanitarian access, civilian protection and a challenge to Sudan’s current representation at the United Nations.
