Linda Thomas-Greenfield

they also have an interest in ensuring that a democratically-elected government is not overthrown by violent means.

I think it's a number of components but I would appreciate the opportunity for consultations with you and other members of the committee on how we might address some of these issues of accountability as we move forward.

We're also pressuring the governments in this country as well as around the region not to use child soldiers.

We have not seen any evidence of where the arms are coming from other than what they may have had in their possession when this started.

We have to sustain our engagement with them to get them through this process.

Sir, we are looking at a variety of options to hold accountable those individuals who are responsible for the atrocities and violations of human rights.

Right now, everyone seems to be on the side of trying to bring this conflict to an end.

No, I think we have seen that they have been involved in some of the fighting.

We think we have to stay engaged and I think the American people would want us to stay engaged.

We have to continue to work with the SPLA. We have to continue to work with them to professionalize them.

We do have concerns about command and control. There are a lot of militias that are formed separate from this battle.

But just as each act of violence may ignite retribution, each step toward peace offers the chance to rebuild.

We do care as a nation about South Sudan.

The Ugandans have indicated, and they have said it publicly, that they support the government of Salva Kiir.

Neither the United States nor the international community will countenance the armed overthrow of the democratically elected government.

For 30 years the United States has been supporting the people of South Sudan, even before South Sudan became an entity.

We are hopeful. We heard early, right around Christmas, that President Kiir was going to release eight of them.

We think they will bring an added voice to the negotiations, they will bring some political views that are much more moderate.

Stopping the violence, and ensuring that Africa's newest nation continues to move forward rather than backward, is of highest priority to the United States and the international community.

I think we need to make sure we beef up their mandate, particularly on the peacekeeping side.

We feel we have to stand with the Sudanese people to take this to a conclusion that will lead the country back on the right track.

We are committed to ensuring that Sudan does not fail.

This crisis will not be solved on the battlefield.

Hostilities must stop, any and all violence directed at civilian populations must end, and those responsible for perpetrating human rights abuses must be held accountable.

It was not under the U.N. auspices. They did it as a neighbor and at the request of the Government of South Sudan.