Dear President Obama,

I am encouraged by your leadership in Sudan, particularly in the negotiations in Sudan leading up to the referendum on independence for South Sudan. However, additional key actions are needed to ensure peace and safety for all of Sudan. I urge you to include the steps laid out below as part of your strong push to create real peace in Sudan:

1. Make clear that the U.S. will issue swift and severe consequences if any party derails the referendum or instigates mass violence. These consequences should be determined and prepared for in advance, and be coordinated with other international actors.

2. Ensure flexible funds are available for contingency planning and emergency support; encourage key players in the international community including UN Security Council and European Union member states to make funds available for contingencies. This includes responding quickly to any major displacement within Sudan or refugee spillover into neighboring states.

3. Enhance peacekeeping forces' access and capacity to respond: Support efforts to stop obstruction of UNAMID peacekeepers in Darfur by the regime in Khartoum, and support deployment of additional UNMIS peacekeepers to flashpoint areas.

4. Share information about the organization or perpetration of violence as appropriate with peacekeeping forces and allies. The U.S. should be prepared to shut down military-related communication if necessary to prevent violence.

Sincerely,