Darfur

THE SUDAN CONFLICT OF DARFUR

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Conflict in the Darfur region of Sudan has taken the lives of over 400,000 persons in the 21st century, perhaps as much as 20 percent of the regional population (Lynch, 2007). Nearly 2.5 million have been displaced from land they have inhabited for many years (Lynch, 2007). But, the world has done little to stop it or assist the people affected.

The situation in Darfur results from the interaction of a number of factors, including global warming, economic interests, and local politics. The semi-nomdic Janjaweed, which means “mounted demons,” (Tesch, 2007), of northern Sudan are being driven south by the expanding desert which is robbing them of grazing lands for their livestock (Lynch, 2007). This has created conflict with the non-Arab Fur, Zaghawa, and Masalit ethnic groups who have farmed on the southern Sudanese lands for hundreds, even thousands, of years. The government had given direction to the Janjaweed, as paramilitary, in putting down a Masalit uprising in the late 1990’s (Tesch, 2007). Although the government denies it, there is much evidence that the Sudanese government is aiding the Janjaweed in their current clash with the southern population because the destruction and displacement of these people actually benefits the government. The conflict also benefits several other powerful

countries, such as China and others, who have blocked efforts by the United Nations to intervene on behalf of the people of Darfur, and humanitarian cries for assistance have not been successful (Powers, 2007).

The people of southern Sudan lived independently in an undeveloped environment until the early 1900’s when Britain forced control over the country of Sudan (Dickey, 2001). Still, most of the capital for development projects went to the northern section of the country (Powers, 2007). Political leaders in the late 20th century tried to blame this difference in the allocation of resources on the Arabs, at the same time that there were concerted efforts to get Arab populations to unite. The southern leaders have strongly opposed a number of major government projects, including drilling for oil in the region and building of a canal that would channel water from the south to the drier northern areas of the country (Osman, 2007). In 2003, several southern political organizations cooperated in accusing the government of opposing non-Arabs. Consistent with their assertions, non-Arab villages are the only areas to be completely destroyed since this conflict began (Power, 2007).

Most generally agree that the conflict officially started in February 2003 when two southern Sudanese rebel groups attacked the government police. The army could not respond to their attacks effectively, not having experience in the type of attacks they were confronted with. The government turned again to the Janjaweed to lead the conflict on the ground and gave them military aid, while they also provided military intelligence and air power (Osman, 2007). Their prior experience with the Janjaweed suggested that there would be human rights breaches and involuntary migrations.

In addition to the military killings, many deaths have occurred due to starvation and disease. Most of the Darfur villages have been completely burned and the surviving residents forced to move to refugee camps. Many of the men have been murdered and the women raped (Thomson, 2007). The physical, economic, and psychological trauma resulting from their plight will have lasting effects on the Darfur people.

The Sudanese government appears to be a major beneficiary of the destruction in Darfur. They appear to have received military aid and equipment from China and Russia. There have also been large infusions of cash (Osman, 2007). Investment in the Sudan by China approaches one-half billion dollars (Power, 2007). The Sudanese government has been able to proceed with their water pipeline project,

other infrastructure projects, and oil drilling activities, trading their resources with China for investment and manufactured goods (Power, 2007).

China receives two-thirds of Sudan’s oil, which amounts to 30% of their total external oil supply (Power, 2007). China is the biggest single shareholder in ownership of Sudan’s largest oil company (Lake, 2007). Despite a Congressional resolution and regular condemnation by President Bush that the killings in Darfur is genocide, expenditures by the United States of over $2.5 billion on relief for Darfur refugees, and the Administration’s leadership in deployment of a United Nations peacekeeping force, China’s influence has been greater than that of the United States and continues to increase (Power, 2007). Africa’s growing hostile response to Chinese activities in Sudan also has failed to prevent China’s success in supporting its economic endeavors with the resources it acquires from Sudan (Osman, 2007).

The advancement in its economic position and the protection of its investments seems to cause China to ignore the human rights issues surfaced by the political and military position towards Darfur. China has used its position in the United Nations Security Council to veto sanctions against Sudan over the Darfur atrocities (Powers, 2007).