"It is appalling that President Obama has invited one of the key architects of Sudanese genocide to Washington." -- Faith J.H. McDonnell, IRD Religious Liberty Director

Contact: Jeff Walton, Institute on Religion and Democracy, 202-682-4131, 202-413-5639 cell, jwalton@TheIRD.org

WASHINGTON, April 26, 2013 /Christian Newswire/ -- The Institute on Religion and Democracy is criticizing the Obama Administration after news this week that it has invited a high-level Sudanese delegation to Washington that includes the brutal presidential advisor and former Chief of National Intelligence and Security Services, Dr. Nafie Ali Nafie. The U.S. State Department confirmed in the April 23 daily press briefing that such a visit was planned but not yet scheduled.

The purpose of the visit is for "candid discussion" on the conflicts and humanitarian crises in Darfur, Southern Kordofan (Nuba Mountains), and Blue Nile, as well as on counter-terrorism, human rights and other issues of concern to the U.S. Government, according to the State Department. But the Islamist regime is currently perpetrating genocidal war in these regions and is increasing its oppression of all of Sudan's marginalized indigenous people.

IRD Religious Liberty Director Faith J.H. McDonnell commented:

"It is appalling that President Obama has invited one of the key architects of Sudanese genocide to Washington. One colleague compared it to inviting Heinrich Himmler to the U.S. to discuss the 'humanitarian crisis' during the Holocaust.

"Nafie Ali Nafie was the founder of Sudan's infamous torture facilities known as 'ghost houses.' Is that a leader we believe we can trust for 'candid discussion?'

"While seeking to become President, then-Senator Barack Obama castigated President Bush for rewarding 'a regime in Khartoum that has a record of failing to live up to its commitments.' Now we say the same thing to President Obama that he said to President Bush: 'There must be real pressure placed on the Sudanese government. We know from past experience that it will take a great deal to get Khartoum to do the right thing. We cannot stand down -- we must continue to stand up for peace and human rights.'"