How to Intelligently Discuss - War in Darfur

You may have heard about Darfur in the news, but not know much about the subject. This article is to give you an update on WHO - WHAT - WHEN - WHERE and WHY so you can intelligently discuss the Darfur conflict. At the end of the article there will be links to humanatarian sites: SaveDarfur.org and 24HoursForDarfur.org There have been some high profile names involved in raising awareness to the Darfur conflict such as George Clooney, Steven Spielberg and Mia Farrow.

Instructions

Difficulty: Moderate

Things You’ll Need:

• Computer access
• Printed article

1. WHO IS INVOLVED
   President Omar al-Bashir - In 1989 he came to power and introduced Sharia law in Sudan (accused of war crimes - July, 2008)
   
   Janjaweed - Arab militia group, racial cleansing in Africa
   
   Abdul Wahid al-Nur - Leader of Sudan Liberation Movement (SLM) andSudan Liberation Army (SLa). Exiled in Paris.
   
   Minni Minawi - leader of SLA faction
2. WHAT IS HAPPENING
   In early 2003 a group of rebels began attacking government targets.
   
   Millions of Sudanese have fled their homes and currently (July, 2008) 2 million people live in camps. Men are killed and women raped. Another 200,000 people escaped to Chad.
   
   UN officials estimate 400,000 people have been killed since 2003. This number is hard to validate.
3. WHEN?
   
   2003 - Rebellion began against the Suanese government (controlled by Arabs)
   
   2004 - UN Security Council passed Resolution 1564 - "Commission on Inquiry on Darfur"
   
   2005 - UN releases report they could not call this conflict genocide, US House and Senate passes "Darfur Peace and Accountability Act"
   
   2006 - Minni Minnawis group SLA filed truce with Sudanese government, SLM's Abdel Wahid Mohammed Ahmed El-Nur refuses to sign this agreement.
   10/20/06 Survivors of genocides call on European Union to take more active role in peacekeeping efforts.
   
   2007 - Human rights mission tries to raise awareness
   
   2008 - Criminal charges pressed against Sudan's president Omar al-Bashir, he is accused of war crimes and crimes against humanity
4. WHERE
   
   Darfur is located in Sudan on the continent of Africa.
   Sudan obtained independence from the UK in 1956 and remained in civil war most of the second half of the 20th century.
   
   15 00 N, 30 00 E
   
   Darfur is on the western border of Sudan, bordering Chad, Libya, Dem Rep of Congo, CAR
5. WHY
   
   The premise of this conflict started when rebels said the government was opressing Africans in favor of the Arabs.
   
   Also the nomadic tribesman are running out of grazing lands.
   
   Peace talks have continued to fail.
   
   There are now more 12 rebel groups(factions) in play.

Tips & Warnings

• There is a lot more you can do to get involved. Continue to educate yourself.
• "Human Rights First" claims that 87% of weapons come from Russia, 8% from China