Darfur Conflict
Trey Hutchens & Cristian Mercado
Background Information
Darfur is the western region of the African country, Sudan. (Xavier) There currently are six million inhabitants of Darfur. (Xavier) These six million inhabitants rely heavily on farming and herding for survival. (Xavier) There are not many roads in Darfur, so it is not easily accessible. (Xavier) Sudan is 70% Muslim, 20% Animist, and 5% Christian. (Xavier)
The leader of Sudan is General Omar al-Bashir. (BBC News) The two groups fighting government targets are the SLA (Sudan Liberation Army) and the JEM ( Justice and Equality Movement). (BBC News) The name for these groups are Janjaweeds. (BBC News)
Introduction to Conflict
Since gaining its independence in 1956 from Great Britain, Darfur has been in a constant state of civil war. (BBC News) Sudan is divided in to three distinct governments which are as follows: North, South, and West (Darfur). (BBC News) The North is the official Sudanese government and the South is the anti-governmental rebel groups. (BBC News)
Causes
There are many causes of the Darfur conflict. The overlying reason stated by BBC News is "The Sudan Liberation Army and Justice and Equality Movement began attacking government targets in early 2003, accusing Khartoum of oppressing black Africans in favour of Arabs. Darfur has faced many years of tension over land and grazing rights between the mostly nomadic Arabs, and farmers from the Fur, Massaleet and Zaghawa communities." Other causes according to Xavier are the demand for infrastructure, availability of weapons, economic survival, drought, famine and disease.
Effects
There have been approximately 200,000-500,000 deaths since 2003. (Xavier) In perspective, one out of twelve Darfur inhabitants have been killed. (Xavier) There are approximately 2,000,000 people left homeless and nearly 2000 villages left in ruins from Sudan aerial attacks. (Xavier) Many Sudanese inhabitants were also raped due to the conflict. (Xavier)
Solutions
According to BBC News, they say there are thousands of peacekeepers trying to solve the problem. Lead Generals of the Sudanese Army have also called off fighting. (BBC News) BBC News also says that there were talks of a peace treaty in 2006 but only one of many rebel faction groups signed it. BBC News also said the following: " Qatar, the United Nations, the African Union, Arab League and Chad have all helped to arrange peace talks between Khartoum and Jem over the past few years."
Conclusion
In conclusion, Sudan has faced many hardships throughout the years. They've experienced the effects of civil war as well as the ruins of a corrupt government. They are getting better as whole thanks to the peacekeepers and finally establishing a more tame and civil govrenment. It will require many more years of rehabilitation towards Sudan to be thought of as a renowned and united country.
Works Cited
“Q&A: Sudan’s Darfur Conflict”. BBC News. 2-23-10. 3-6-14.
Xavier, John. Darfur: African Genocide. New York, NY.
Rosen Publishing Group. 2008. Print.