War in Darfur - Essay Example

War in Darfur Although the horrors f the Darfur conflict do not quite compare to those f the Nazi Concentration Camps, the world is observing the current situation the same way it observed what happened decades ago during the second World War; with their eyes closed. This conflict, which some are referring to as genocide, is taking place in western Sudan, located in Africa. The acts f violence taking place in Darfur began as early as 2003, and the innocent victims in the region are still awaiting peace. (Holt 199-201) The crisis began when rebel forces (mainly non-Arabic) attacked the Sudanese government, claiming that the latter "is oppressing black Africans in favor f Arabs." These forces also state that the region f Darfur was being mistreated by the country's capital: Khartoum. The government responded to these assaults by taking sides with and by providing weapons to the Janjaweed, an Arab militia having been accused f attempts to eliminate black Africans from the nearby territory. Although the government denies the joining f forces with the Janjaweed, Darfur refugees have confirmed that following the government's aerial bombings, these soldiers have slaughtered men, raped women and have looted many villages in their path. Civilians have been forced to leave their homes and seek refuge in camps within Darfur's larger towns where there is a shortage f food supplies, medicine and more importantly, water. Many have gone as far as escaping to Chad, a neighboring country whose conditions in certain regions are the same as in Darfur. (Bengali 9-11) On May 5th 2006, a peace accord was offered by the country's largest rebel force, the Sudan Liberation Army, and was signed by the government, however two smaller rebel groups have refused to accept the treaty. The objective was for the Janjaweed to be disarmed, and for the rebel forces to become part f the Sudanese army. Although different sources have provided different numbers, the death toll in Darfur stands at approximately 400, 000 and will continue to rise so long as no one puts an end to this unbelievable tragedy. (Briggs 77-80) While it is impossible to single-handedly stop the slaughtering in Darfur, there are many ways one can help the situation. As always, a cash donation is the most common method f aid, and in a humanitarian crisis such as this, it is one f the only methods f help available; money donations are far more practical than oversea shipments f food and clothing at high transportation costs. The Red Cross is one f the major organizations currently making a difference in Sudan and Chad. The ICRC (International Committee f the Red Cross) has been involved with helping in Sudan since 1978 due to famine being a constant death factor in many African countries. The U.N., whose responsibility is to protect civilians affected by political issues, has hesitated before taking action. This resembles their behavior in Rwanda, when 800, 000 Rwandans were left to die in a short period f three months. According to Amnesty International, attacks on civilians and aid workers have increased since late 2005. If something is to be done, it must be accomplished quickly, as more and more lives are being put in danger. (Harris 1-7) Human Rights Crisis in Darfur If you ask anybody what they know about the Darfur conflict you will most likely hear "it is a genocide being waged by Arabs against Africans". The truth about what is happening in this country and the causes are much deeper and sometimes surprising. It is popular to denounce the genocide taking place there, due in part to the efforts f celebrities like Angelina Jolie who are raising awareness. Besides awareness, though, understanding f the entire is situation is needed if real change is to occur. (Flint 99-104) Darfur is a region in Sudan the size f France or Texas and has been home to many tribes, the biggest being the Fur tribe. This is where the name Darfur come comes from. Literally translated it means "the land f the Fur". This country is also inhabited by tribes such as the Massaleet, Ma'alihyah, Rezeigat, and the Zagawa. There have always been tensions between tribes over the land and grazing rights but these were worsened due to the water shortage which is thought to be caused by global warming. These elements came together to provide multiple fuses which have ignited to form all-out genocide. The conflict in this impoverished region caught the world's attention in 2003 after a rebellion against the Khartoum government broke out. These rebels were frustrated with years f unfair treatment by the government, and more-so by the neglect and oppression which they received. This group was not completely altruistic in its intentions though, some f their goals included obtaining wealth and power. (Deng 500-12) What was not widely known in 2003 and still misunderstood is that low levels f fighting had been going on for years between rival tribes. What made this fighting erupt into all-out war was the water shortage the country faced. Looking farther back, there was a peace agreement signed between the north and south which ended the long second Sudanese civil war in 1983. This agreement further inspired the Darfurian rebels to fight for a larger portion f the wealth and power f the region. (Johnson 231-232) The SPLM (Sudan's People Liberation Movement) finally got what they wanted after much fighting and the Darfurians thought that the same could be achieved by them. These Darfurian rebel movements were formed based on tribes. In early 2003 the rebel groups launched attacks against government positions in Darfur. The Khartoum government recruited the lethal Janjaweed and unleashed them to fight the rebels. The result has been full scale war. In is now four years into the crisis f Darfur and it is widely acknowledged to be a human rights tragedy f the first order. The entire situation continues to deteriorate in all areas; humanitarian, political, and security. Atrocities continue and people are still dying in large numbers, not only by fighting but by malnutrition and disease. A new famine is feared that could result in even more deaths. According to the World Food Program, 3.5 million people are now starving slowly, 2.5 million have been displaced due to the violence and instability, and 480,000 people have died so far. Also, 80 percent f children under 5 years old are suffering from malnutrition. Despite all that the U.N. and the African Union have done, the situation has not improved and has even deteriorated further. 500 people are dying every day. Up to 8,000 villages, 90 percent Darfurian f course, have been destroyed. The main killers in the theater are janjaweed, who are funded by the government. The janjaweed burn villages, drop bombs, destroy crops and food storage, and poison wells with dead bodies. This is but a short list f what has caused millions to leave their homes and live in under-funded refugee camps. The janjaweed have even been known to drop refrigerators or microwaves in the absence f bombs, just to kill more people. One f the more tragic occurrences f this conflict is the use f rape as a tool f terrorism. Their goal in raping women and girls is to spread further terror and cause the rebels to lose morale. In a culture where rape brings social disgrace victims are often ostracized by their own families and people. These women and children have been forced from their homes and punished for pregnancy as a result f rape. The vast majority f victims are from the Fur, Zaghawa, Massalit, and other "Black African" tribes. The African Union has in the region only one-tenth f the 18,000 soldiers it has promised to send to Darfur. This is mostly because f the governments opposition to any and all outside interference. Experts believe that an additional 60,000 troops will be needed to stop the genocide, and that these troops will need to be well-equipped. The international community must think creatively to secure a settlement that will last. More peacekeepers on the ground and a ceasefire that is effective are essential but there is so much more that needs to be done. There is a need to use all tactics for ending the conflict. The peace process can be revived and new peace talks can be initiated accompanied by an international consensus, and effort to unify the rebel movements, and broaden participation from the Darurian people. International community can play a great role in this regards with U.S., China, other countries f the UN Security Council and member countries f the AU and UN can apply effective pressure from all sides, particularly on the government f Sudan, in order to force them to abandon attempts to achieve a military victory. There is also a need for international support for the UN mediation as the only international method to pursue a peaceful resolution to the conflict. This means that a consensus is needed both on methods to stop the genocide and punitive measures against those responsible. A panel f experts must be authorized to investigate the offshore accounts f the Sudanese government and its affiliates so as to pave the way for severe economic sanctions against the regime. This will stop the cash flow to the janjaweed and make the government more likely to talk and work things out in U.N. mediation. In conclusion, if even after doing all these measures efforts fail or are thwarted by Sudanese government opposition, a contingency plan for international forces to be deployed to Darfur should be made. This is only if all diplomatic and economic efforts to resolve the problem have failed and the situation worsens. Works Cited Bengali, Shashank (2006) War in Sudan's Darfur region has spread into Chad. Knight Ridder Tribune Washington Bureau (DC) Briggs, Jimmie, (2005) Innocents lost : when child soldiers go to war. New York : Basic Books, 188 p. Deng, Francis Mading, (1995) War of visions : conflict of identities in the Sudan. Washington, D.C. : Brookings Institution, 577 p. Flint, Julie and Alex de Waal, (2005) Darfur : a short history of a long war. London : Zed, in association with International African Institute. 152 p Harris, (2007). List f Darfur War Criminals Will Be Given To The Hague. Evening Standard Holt, P. M. and M.W. Daly, (2000) A history of the Sudan : from the coming of Islam to the present day. 5th ed. London ; New York : Longman, 222 p. Johnson, Douglas Hamilton, (2003) The root causes of Sudan's civil wars. Bloomington : Indiana University Press, 234 p. Bibliography Investigation provides evidence f war crimes in Darfur, International; Criminal Court prosecutor tells Security Council M2PressWIRE, 12/15/2006 www.beawitness.org www.cbc.ca/news/background/sudan/darfur.html www.crisisgroup.org www.darfurgenocide.org www.darfurisdying.com www.genocideintervention.net www.globefordarfur.org www.mercycorps.org www.savedarfur.org www.time.com/time/covers/1101041004/photoessay www.wikipedia.org Read More