Prominent South Sudanese activist, Dr. Peter Biar Ajang is set to testify before the United States Senate on Foreign Relations on March 10th, 2021.
According to a release by the Office on Foreign Relations, the hearing is set for March 10th where the full committee hearing will take place online through SD-106 and Videoconference.
The hearing is part of the initiative, the State of Democracy Around the World which debates the political situations, human rights, and democracy of the United States allies across the world.
“For this hearing, the Senate Foreign Relations Committee will follow guidelines developed in consultation with the Office of the Attending Physician (OAP), the Senate Sergeant at Arms, and the Senate Rules Committee to protect the health of members, witnesses, staff, and the public. This includes maintaining six-foot social distance spacing in the hearing room.” Part of the agenda of hearing reads.
“Accordingly, press seating is limited. All media must RSVP to your respective gallery to reserve a seat, and only Hill-credentialed media will be permitted to attend. Per CDC guidelines, the press should wear a mask. Masks and other PPE, as well as sanitation supplies, will be available at the entrance to the hearing room.”
This will be the first time such a hearing to take place since last year when Dr. Biar left South Sudan under emergency circumstances.
Biar as one of the panels will tell part of his story on the South Sudan civil war before an important witness like the Former United States Secretary of State, Honorable Madeleine Albright, and Former Undersecretary of State for Global Affairs, Ambassador Paula J. Dobriansky.
Biar was arrested alongside late Keribuno Wol. They both later led a protest that set their path to death sentences but with pressure from the international community, the two were released in 2020.
Wol late led a rebel movement and was killed in action in Lakes State by the government of South Sudan.
Biar will share the panel with Wai Hnin Pwint Thon CAMPAIGNS OFFICER for Burma Campaign UK, and -DEMOCRACY ACTIVIST AND FORMER HONG KONG LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL MEMBER, Mr. Nathan Law PRO.