The conflict in Darfur has left approximately 2.5 million civilians displaced and at least 400,000 dead—probably substantially more.

Sudan, Africa’s largest geographical country, divided by religion, ethnicity, tribe and economic activity, owes its troubled existence as one unit to colonial history. Since gaining independence in 1956, the country has been in near constant conflict, the most significant of which has been that between north and south: with the first civil war lasting from 1956-1972, and the second from 1983-2005. After marginalized ethnic groups took arms against the government in February 2003, the Sudanese government responded by arming Arab "Janjaweed" militia to clear the civilian population bases of the rebel Fur, Zaghawa and Massaleit tribes.

The Conflict in Darfur

The Darfur conflict became the latest chapter in Sudan's civil wars when rebels from the Sudan Liberation Army/Movement (SLA/M) and Justice and Equality Movement (JEM) took arms against the government in February 2003 after years of political, economic and social marginalisation.

These rebels are made up of predominantly African sedentary tribes, such as the Fur, Zaghawa and Massaleit. After a string of rebel attacks in the spring of 2003, the Sudanese government responded to the rebellion by arming Arab "Janjaweed" militia to clear civilian population bases of African tribes thought to be supporting the rebellion.

Violence and broken ceasefires continued throughout 2004 and 2005 despite intermittent peace talks and the presence of an African Union protection force. Divisions within the rebel groups exacerbated the conflict and hindered negotiations.

Approximately 2.5 million civilians have been displaced and at least 400,000 are dead -- probably substantially more. Humanitarian aid has been disrupted due to the security situation. In March 2005, the UN Security Council referred the situation in Darfur to the International Criminal Court for investigation, but the Sudanese government continues to reject the ICC’s involvement. The ICC recently handed down two indictments against a government official and a Janjaweed leader.

The Current Situation

Due to continued violence and broken ceasefires throughout 2004 and 2005, the UN Security Council referred the situation in Darfur to the International Criminal Court (ICC), which has since handed down two indictments (against a government official and a Janjaweed leader). However, the Sudanese government continues to reject the ICC’s involvement and has reneged on previous promises to accept the joint United Nations/African Union “hybrid” force supported by the international community.
 

In the absence of tough punitive measures in support of a new peace agreement and the deployment of a more robust international civilian protection force, as well as the continued economic and political support of Khartoum by China, the outlook for Darfur remains bleak. Recently, there has been continued violence against civilians, mounting displacement in Darfur and neighboring Chad, and increased attacks against the African Union peacekeepers in the region.