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"Seek peace and pursue it." This popular biblical passage has been retold numerous times
across the world’s many different religions and holy books. However for the people of
Darfar, Sudan, peace is but a distant memory and a poorly defined construct, shattered by
continual bloodshed and civil strife.
Although only 50 years old as an independent country since breaking away from UK
control, Sudan has endured two civil wars lasting a total of 38 years. However, over the
past three years over 450,000 Sudanese people have been estimated killed and millions
displaced in the western region of Darfur. This tragic circumstance has been described by
many as a genocidal ethnic cleansing of escalating proportions.
So what exactly started this killing agenda which continues to rage on despite a peace
agreement signed in May 2006? And what is being done to prevent the spread of violence
into the next door country of Chad? Finally, what are the United Nations and the United
States doing as a response given its preoccupation with the Mideast conflicts?
across the world’s many different religions and holy books. However for the people of
Darfar, Sudan, peace is but a distant memory and a poorly defined construct, shattered by
continual bloodshed and civil strife.
Although only 50 years old as an independent country since breaking away from UK
control, Sudan has endured two civil wars lasting a total of 38 years. However, over the
past three years over 450,000 Sudanese people have been estimated killed and millions
displaced in the western region of Darfur. This tragic circumstance has been described by
many as a genocidal ethnic cleansing of escalating proportions.
So what exactly started this killing agenda which continues to rage on despite a peace
agreement signed in May 2006? And what is being done to prevent the spread of violence
into the next door country of Chad? Finally, what are the United Nations and the United
States doing as a response given its preoccupation with the Mideast conflicts?
February 2003
The Darfur massacre is a highly complicated conflict but unfortunately is often reduced to
being merely a fight between the Arab dominated Khartoum government and the non-Arab
black Africans of the western region of Sudan. However, upon closer examination, the
reason behind the fighting is manifold and is intriguingly similar to other conflicts existing
around the world which share the same genesis of provocation.
It all began when “rebel forces” who are the non-Arab black Africans living in Darfur
apparently got sick-and-tired of being sick-and-tired. They had long felt neglected and
discriminated against by the Arab backed government and finally had reached their
emotional boiling point.
First, there was an ongoing competition for valuable land and water resources between the
nomadic herders (Arabs) and farmers (non-Arabs). Next, the non-Arabs also demanded an
official position within the government which would give them more of a political voice and
control of their lives. Third, the non-Arabs also wanted a share of Sudan's new-found oil
wealth which would assist them to economically grow their region.
being merely a fight between the Arab dominated Khartoum government and the non-Arab
black Africans of the western region of Sudan. However, upon closer examination, the
reason behind the fighting is manifold and is intriguingly similar to other conflicts existing
around the world which share the same genesis of provocation.
It all began when “rebel forces” who are the non-Arab black Africans living in Darfur
apparently got sick-and-tired of being sick-and-tired. They had long felt neglected and
discriminated against by the Arab backed government and finally had reached their
emotional boiling point.
First, there was an ongoing competition for valuable land and water resources between the
nomadic herders (Arabs) and farmers (non-Arabs). Next, the non-Arabs also demanded an
official position within the government which would give them more of a political voice and
control of their lives. Third, the non-Arabs also wanted a share of Sudan's new-found oil
wealth which would assist them to economically grow their region.
Highly charged with emotions of frustration and feelings that they were being shut out of
their own country, the situation finally came to a head when non-Arab black Africans
launched a violent rebellion comprised mostly of tribes of small farmers from the region.
The two rebel groups Justice and Equality Movement (JEM) and the Sudan Liberation
Movement (SLM) led the initiative in attacking government forces and installations.
Taken by surprise, the Sudanese government retaliated brutally. Although it officially
denies it, the government in Khartoum is believed to have recruited, funded, armed and
deployed an Arab militia, called the Janjaweed. The group was assembled from local
Baggara tribes and used to mount ground attacks in addition to aerial bombardment upon
the region. The Janjaweed has since been allowed to systematically kill, rape, and burn
down entire villages in its assaults.
their own country, the situation finally came to a head when non-Arab black Africans
launched a violent rebellion comprised mostly of tribes of small farmers from the region.
The two rebel groups Justice and Equality Movement (JEM) and the Sudan Liberation
Movement (SLM) led the initiative in attacking government forces and installations.
Taken by surprise, the Sudanese government retaliated brutally. Although it officially
denies it, the government in Khartoum is believed to have recruited, funded, armed and
deployed an Arab militia, called the Janjaweed. The group was assembled from local
Baggara tribes and used to mount ground attacks in addition to aerial bombardment upon
the region. The Janjaweed has since been allowed to systematically kill, rape, and burn
down entire villages in its assaults.
| The Results So Far |
They are called Internally Displaced People or IDP for short. They are men, women and
children who have sought refuge in larger towns or in other countries throughout the
three year killing spree. In fact there are over 2.5 million IDPs whose large presence in
refugee camps in nearby countries such as Chad is straining community resources.
In addition over 450,000 people have been killed along with a complete decimation of
entire villages thus destroying the livelihoods of many. This is the legacy that has
surfaced from continual fighting within the region.
However over the course of its 50 year history and 38 years of war, Sudan is estimated
to have suffered 2 million deaths and created 4 million IDPs. Obviously peace has rarely
existed within this country that has seemingly grown accustomed to conflict.
children who have sought refuge in larger towns or in other countries throughout the
three year killing spree. In fact there are over 2.5 million IDPs whose large presence in
refugee camps in nearby countries such as Chad is straining community resources.
In addition over 450,000 people have been killed along with a complete decimation of
entire villages thus destroying the livelihoods of many. This is the legacy that has
surfaced from continual fighting within the region.
However over the course of its 50 year history and 38 years of war, Sudan is estimated
to have suffered 2 million deaths and created 4 million IDPs. Obviously peace has rarely
existed within this country that has seemingly grown accustomed to conflict.
| What About Mediation, Aid, and Peace? |
The African Union (AU) which comprises 53 African countries was created in July
2002 in order to eventually provide a single currency and a single integrated military
defense for the continent.
Its first major attempt at peacekeeping has been to contain the fighting in Darfur and to
protect IDPs living in refugee camps from rebels seeking to attack and rape Darfurian
women and kidnap boys to join the fight.
By all accounts, the AU forces have been ill equipped and under funded to carryout the
enormous task of peacekeepers in the region. In fact the United States now prefers to
replace the AU troops with UN peacekeepers versus funding the fledgling group.
However, the Sudanese government as of yet refuses to allow the UN troops entry into
the country. Meanwhile an estimated 1.5 billion dollars is being requested from the
world in order to pay for aid for the growing needs of the IDP community.
Although past ceasefires have been coordinated and peace accords have been signed as
recently as May 2006, the fighting still occurs but in different ways. The peace accord
recently signed by the Sudanese government was only with one rebel group, the SLA.
However two other groups, the JEM and a smaller faction refused to sign the
agreement.
2002 in order to eventually provide a single currency and a single integrated military
defense for the continent.
Its first major attempt at peacekeeping has been to contain the fighting in Darfur and to
protect IDPs living in refugee camps from rebels seeking to attack and rape Darfurian
women and kidnap boys to join the fight.
By all accounts, the AU forces have been ill equipped and under funded to carryout the
enormous task of peacekeepers in the region. In fact the United States now prefers to
replace the AU troops with UN peacekeepers versus funding the fledgling group.
However, the Sudanese government as of yet refuses to allow the UN troops entry into
the country. Meanwhile an estimated 1.5 billion dollars is being requested from the
world in order to pay for aid for the growing needs of the IDP community.
Although past ceasefires have been coordinated and peace accords have been signed as
recently as May 2006, the fighting still occurs but in different ways. The peace accord
recently signed by the Sudanese government was only with one rebel group, the SLA.
However two other groups, the JEM and a smaller faction refused to sign the
agreement.
In addition, there is word there may be divisions between the Arab backed government
and the Arab militia group, the Janjaweed. Further, attacks by the Janjaweed have been
extending into Chad where large numbers of IDP live and there is fear that fighting
may spread into the Central Republic of Africa.
On July 24, 2006, President Bush met for 40 minutes in the Oval Office with SLA
Army leader Minni Minnawi urging him to allow AU peacekeepers under the blue flag
and helmets of the United Nations into his region. Bush also urged Minnawi to refrain
from using his forces for violence and pressed him to forge an alliance with other
factions in Darfur to broaden support for a peace agreement.
Meanwhile celebrities from around the world, from actress Mia Farrow to U2 lead
singer, Bono, have traveled to the Darfur region to raise world wide consciousness of
the crisis. In addition humanitarian agencies such as CARE have provided assistance as
well. In fact CARE has provided aid since April 2004 and operates throughout South
and West Darfur providing water and sanitation, community services and distribution
of food and other relief.
With this recent renewed interest in Dafur, perhaps seeking peace and pursuing it will
now become more of a focal point and major agenda item than it has been over the
past three years.
and the Arab militia group, the Janjaweed. Further, attacks by the Janjaweed have been
extending into Chad where large numbers of IDP live and there is fear that fighting
may spread into the Central Republic of Africa.
On July 24, 2006, President Bush met for 40 minutes in the Oval Office with SLA
Army leader Minni Minnawi urging him to allow AU peacekeepers under the blue flag
and helmets of the United Nations into his region. Bush also urged Minnawi to refrain
from using his forces for violence and pressed him to forge an alliance with other
factions in Darfur to broaden support for a peace agreement.
Meanwhile celebrities from around the world, from actress Mia Farrow to U2 lead
singer, Bono, have traveled to the Darfur region to raise world wide consciousness of
the crisis. In addition humanitarian agencies such as CARE have provided assistance as
well. In fact CARE has provided aid since April 2004 and operates throughout South
and West Darfur providing water and sanitation, community services and distribution
of food and other relief.
With this recent renewed interest in Dafur, perhaps seeking peace and pursuing it will
now become more of a focal point and major agenda item than it has been over the
past three years.
Copyrighted 2006
Herndon Davis is an author, lecturer, and TV/Radio Host of The Herndon Davis Reports. He can be reached directly at
http://herndondavis.com
Herndon Davis is an author, lecturer, and TV/Radio Host of The Herndon Davis Reports. He can be reached directly at
http://herndondavis.com
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