Violence in Darfur, Sudan

Introduction Different groups have been fighting each other in the Sudan since it got its independence in 1956. Most recently, a violent conflict involving the central government, armed militias, and several rebel groups has devastated Darfur, the westernmost region of Sudan. The conflict is complex. It involved many different groups and has spread into neighboring countries. Some in the world, including the United Sates, have called the conflict genocide. Others have argued that the conflict, although very violent, cannot be called genocide.

The Roots of the Conflict There are two main ethnic groups in the Sudan: black Africans and Arabs. The Sudan is made up of two distinct geographic regions. To the north, the area is very dry and is home to part of the Sahara Desert. In the south, the climate is a tropical rainforest. Most of the population lives in the urban areas in the north. The north is largely Muslim and Arab. African farmers make up most of the population in the south; the majority of these farmers are Christian or practice traditional religion.

Sudan was a colony of Britain who ruled the North and South as two different territories with different sets of laws so both groups were used to some representation in the government. However when Britain gave the colony its independence in 1956, it united the two states into one nation.

Bashir Comes to Power In 1989 the Islamist National Islamic Front took control of the country in a military coup. The government controls both the military and the oil reserves. The leader, President Omar Hassan al-Bashir began ruling as a dictator and pursued a pro-Arab, Islamic policy.

Many rebel groups have formed in response to the lack of representation in the government; these have been brutally repressed y the government and pro-government militias.

The Origins of the Current Conflict. In Darfur there are two main groups: Arabs, most of who are nomadic herders, and black Africans who are mainly farmers. There has always been tension between these two groups but it has gotten worse in recent years because a long drought has led the Arab herders into the African farmland. The African farmers are upset by the government’s lack of response to the drought and believe that the government favors the Arabs in the conflict.

Over time, several different African rebel groups have formed in response to the situation. On the opposing side of the conflict is the central government and pro-government militias. The most vicious of these militia groups is the Janjawid (Arab word meaning bandits on horseback). Most people in the conflict say that the Janjawid is responsible for the majority of violence. Most witnesses to the conflict believe that the government supports the Janjawid because it wants to eliminate the black Africans in the region and make the whole territory Arab land. The government denies any connection to the militia and days it is only fighting the rebel forces. However there are numerous reports from international aid workers maintaining that Janjawid raids are preceded by aerial bombardments by the Sudanese air force, that Janjawid commanders are living in government garrison towns, and that Janjawid militiamen wear combat fatigues identical to those of the regular army. The government officially condemns the Janjawid but does nothing to stop them.

What has Been Happening in the Conflict? The government militia and the Janjawid have targeted civilians and villages that it claims are protecting African rebels. The government has bombed many villages. Although the government denies its involvement, it is the only group that owns helicopters and planes. At the same time, the Janjawid have looted and burned villages and crops, poisoned water supplies, and killed and raped hundreds of thousands of civilians. Current estimates by the United Nations estimate that at least ¼ million people have been killed in the conflict through violence, starvation, and disease. More that two million people have had to leave their homes. The majority of the victims are farmers, mostly civilians of African ethnicity. Humanitarian groups have struggled to access the region due to violence and unwillingness of the government to do anything about the violence. The government prevents reporters from entering Darfur to assess the situation. In order to form large troops, the African rebel groups have forced many young boys to join the conflict. Many of these boys are taken from their families in refugee camps.

The Response of the International Community There is disagreement in the world over whether the conflicts in Darfur constitute genocide. In 2004, the U.S. government passed a resolution declaring the conflict genocide. In early 2005, the United Nations released a report saying that although there was massive violence in the area it could not be called a genocide because there was no evidence of intent to kill an entire racial, ethnic, or religious group.

In spite of the enormous loss of life, countries have been reluctant to become involved. The United Nations demanded that Sudan’s government disarm the Janjawid and bring the leaders to trial but have not enforced this. Many have called for a United Nations’ peacekeeping force to be sent to Darfur. Sudan’s government is hostile to this suggestion and has stated that its militia will repel any foreign foreigners. China and Russia, who are members of the United Nations Security Council, have also resisted this proposal. It is likely that they don’t want to offend the Sudanese government because they have large oil stakes in the nation. 1. How are the people who live in the North of the Sudan different from those who live in the South?

2. What groups would have a conflict with the way Bashir began ruling the Sudan? Why?

3. Why did tension between Arabs and Africans in Darfur grow?

4. A. Who are the Janjawid?

B. Why were they formed?

C. Who supports the Janjawid? Why?

5. What evidence is there that the government is lying when it says that it is not supporting the Janjawid?

6. A. What sorts of things are happening to civilians in the region? B. Who are most of the victims?

7. Why is it difficult to know the nature of the government’s involvement in the conflict?

8. How are the African rebel groups fighting back?

9. The United Nations is responsible for keeping peace in the World. How have they reacted to the situation?