“In response to the political crisis in South Sudan and the deeply troubling violence in Jonglei state, the White House [on Wednesday] hosted [non-governmental organizations (NGOs)] and advocacy groups to discuss the situation and confer on how the United States — in concert with partners and allies around the world — can help end the violence and support South Sudan’s democratic development,” Special Assistant to the President and Senior Director for African Affairs Grant Harris writes in the White House Blog. “A significant portion of the conversation focused on what the United States and its partners can do to address disturbing reports of human rights abuses, attacks on civilians, and ethnically motivated violence taking place in Jonglei, including reports that elements of the Sudan People’s Liberation Army have been complicit in the abuses,” he notes, adding, “In the coming weeks, we’ll be working with partner countries, humanitarian organizations, advocacy groups, and others to shine a light on the crisis, press for an immediate end to the violence, and meet the urgent humanitarian needs of those affected by the conflict” (7/24).