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Ongoing Conflict in Darfur
Sudan, Africa
Darfur (Arabic for ‘Land of the Fur’) is an arid region in Sudan, home to a local group known as the Fur people. The region was incorporated into Sudan in 1916 and was subdivided into 5 states:
Central Darfur;
East Darfur;
South Darfur;
West Darfur; and
North Darfur.
Darfur is home to 80 nomadic tribes, ethnic groups (nomadic tribes that have no set homeland) and permanent settler communities. The Fur, Massalit and the Zaghawa tribes have a long history of conflict with the government of Sudan. In 1972 the Abada peace agreement was signed between the conflicting groups but this ultimately failed to establish peace in the region.
The region has been in a state of humanitarian emergency since 2003 when two armed groups (The Sudan Liberation Army (SLA) and the Justice and Equality Movement (JEM)) launched a campaign against the Government of Sudan, plunging the entire region into conflict. The rebel groups frequently expressed that their region was underdeveloped and neglected, suffering from poor management. Additionally, the ongoing droughts in the Sahara desert further exacerbated the situation since the traditionally Arabic nomadic cattle farmers were increasingly forced to move their herds to find new pastors near water sources. As the droughts worsened, Arab farmers were forced to encroach onto African farms which sparked tensions between the groups. The region of Darfur is home to many different tribes and races. The Fur, Masalit and Zaghawa are the three main tribes, all of which have sub-divisions.
The crisis in Darfur is generated by political, social, and economic factors, along with environmental challenges. Ongoing political disputes with the Sudanese government, racial clashes between Nomadic Arabs and Native Africans and the growth of revolutionary forces were some factors that led to the growth of parties including the JEM and the Sudan People’s Liberation Movement/Army (SPLM/A). They fought for representation and condemnation of the Government of Sudan, citing their campaign of ethnic cleansing alongside various anti-African policies that sought to eradicate the non-Arab population. Environmental factors are not the central motivation for the formation of rebel groups in Darfur but have certainly exacerbated the already tense atmosphere. The increase in demand from migration and the increase of political conflict in Darfur, therefore, generated local disputes.
From independence onwards much of the wealth in Sudan has remained in the north (Khartoum). The other provinces including South Sudan and Darfur suffered from poor welfare standards alongside a lack of education and infrastructure investment. Economic development projects assisted the wealthy but neglected the poor. Political autonomy in the North was also a catalyst for rebellion, with 60 percent of the government ministers being from and representing the population of Khartoum. Only 17 percent represented Darfur, a similarly populated region. The political program also sought to remove the non-Arabs politically, proving to promote national discontent.
The Sudanese Government’s attempt to block the Fur from any political representation worsened the situation. Power of the Fur was divided into sections when Darfur was split into two provinces in 1974, three in 1995 and five in 2013. This split in the Government prevented the Darfur region from collaborating and uniting against the Sudanese Government. This political move raised suspicion in the Arabic community as they believed that their local representation was being undermined, which triggered violent reform movements. Groups like the Tujammoal were openly discriminatory against non-Arabs and were assisted by the Sudanese Government. Sudan’s disintegration of Darfur has therefore contributed to the genocide because it alienated both sides and exacerbated the situation.
Religious tensions within the region were exacerbated when Al-Bashir took power in 1989. The crisis is a result of the Al-Bashir government collaborating with the Janjaweed to promote the destruction of the Darfur region. The Government of Sudan has trained and equipped the Janjaweed throughout their campaign attempting to destroy the Fur’s livelihoods. The government has released infamous criminals that have gone on to fight alongside the Janjaweed, also promoting forced displacement, rape, murder, attacks and pillage throughout the region. Al-Bashir’s bias brought fear to the Fur tribes, who united against the government. In March 1995 Darfur’s political power was divided into thirteen emirates, with the eight key positions being given to Arabs. The move also brought local conflicts into larger, national confrontations as the three tribes sought to gather larger opposition groups to the Arab farmers. The tribes united by creating political parties and making the small confrontations a region-wide issue.
In January 2021 mass evacuations of IDPs occurred in North, South and West Darfur. Approximately 183,000 were displaced from their refugee camps. The IDP community is displaced because violence in South Darfur remains commonplace. The activity of humanitarian agencies, including the Darfur Network and the UN is essential to the IDP’s survival. Attacks on IDP communities are often attributed to the RSF by local communities, reducing confidence in the new government and decreasing the possibility for negotiations.
“The refugees arriving in Chad talk of the destruction of their homes and possessions and targeted attacks on refugee sites,”Babar Baloch – Spokesman for the UN High Commissioner for Refugees (UNHCR)
Key Facts
People killed (UN Estimate) — 80,000 – 500,000
People displaced (UN Estimate) — Around 2.5 million
Conflict began in — April 2003
Total population of Darfur: 9.241 million (&2017)
Active militants:
Rebels — no reliable data
UNAMID — 16,000 soldiers, 3,000 police officers
Government forces- <25,000 Janjaweed, 100,000 Sudan Armed forces
Key Peace Deals:
September, October and December 2019 witnessed negotiations between numerous parties in Darfur, much to no avail.
31 August 2020, a peace deal was signed in South Sudan, between the Sovereignty Council of Sudan and several rebel groups, including the Sudan Revolutionary Front (SRF), Sudan Liberation Movement/Army (SLM), Justice and Equality Movement, Transitional Revolutionary Council, and Sudan People’s Liberation Movement-North (SPLM–N).
The Players
African Union-United Nations Hybrid Operation in Darfur (UNAMID)
Mandated in July 2007, the mission to Sudan encourages stability and peace talks. The original mandate was 12 months but has been extended numerous times. As of December 2008, it had deployed 15,136 total uniformed personnel, including 12,194 troops, 175 military observers, and 2,767 police officers. In December 2020 the UNSC signed Resolution 2559, calling UNAMID to withdraw all troops by the 30th June 2021.
International Criminal Court (ICC)
The International Criminal Court (ICC) became involved in March 2005 when the UNSC referred evidence of human rights violations to them (Resolution 1593). The ICC investigation regarding Darfur focuses on allegations of genocide, war crimes and crimes against humanity committed in Darfur, Sudan, since 1 July 2002. The ICC highlights several suspects of committing crimes including: Sudanese Government officials, Militia/Janjaweed leaders, and leaders of the Resistance Front.
United Nations-African Union Mission in Darfur (UNAMID)
Approved by the UNSC Resolution 1769 in July 2007. Very active in encouraging negotiations and peace agreements between parties in the conflict. Currently in the process of withdrawing from Darfur.
Sudan Liberation Movement/Army (SLM-AW)
The Sudan Liberation Movement was formed in 2003 to fight against the government. Leader: Abdel Wahid El Nur. SLA-AW has been resistant to peace talks since rejecting the Darfur Peace Agreement in 2006. The ability of SLA-AW to mount a military offensive is limited by its isolation in Jebel Marra, its deep divisions, and its lack of leadership and logistical capacity.
Sudanese Congress Party in North Darfur/ National Congress Party (NCP)
The Sudanese Congress Party in North Darfur/ National Congress Party (NCP) has been linked (unofficially) to supporting the Janjaweed. The group was formed in 1998 by key political figures in the National Islamic Front (NIF). Bashir was the head of the party from 2000 until 2019. The party has been banned following the April 2019 coup.
Sudan Liberation Movement/Army (SLA-MM)
The Sudan Liberation Army (SLA-MM) was formed in 2001 by an alliance of Fur and Zaghawa. The two parties conflicted early on because one group wanted to campaign against the government whereas the other group wanted to attack Arab militias in North Darfur.
Justice and Equality Movement (JEM)
The Justice and Equality Movement (JEM) is a predominantly Sudanese Islamist opposition group formed in 2000. The group seeks national reform and a regime change. Signed the 31st August 2020 peace agreement with the government of Sudan. The group will have three seats on the Sovereignty Council alongside a cabinet and legislature presence.
Janjaweed
The Janjaweed was comprised of Sudanese Arab tribes. Known as “Mounted Gunman” infamous for attacking Fur people on horseback. They were a key part of the Darfur conflict, often driving civilians from their villages and committed numerous war crimes against civilians. They also collaborated with the Sudanese air force, attacking villages that were previously bombed by the Sudanese military. Most former members of the group continue to haunt IDPs in camps across Darfur.
Rapid Support Forces (RSF)
The Rapid Support Forces (RSF) were appointed by the government to bring regional stability. They sub-sequentially absorbed the Janjaweed in 2013 following the Janjaweed’s notoriety becoming too much for Bashir to address. The group has been accused of committing violence and atrocities against IDPs.
Internally Displaced People (IDPs)
Internally Displaced People (IDPs) are refugees that have fled conflict in Darfur and established IDP camps in the region. Most are too scared to return home for threat of violence committed against them.
Omar Hassan Ahmad Al Bashir
President of the Republic of Sudan from October 1993 to April 2019. Currently imprisoned in Sudan for corruption, wanted by the ICC on charges including: 5 counts of crimes against humanity, 3 counts of genocide and 2 counts of war crimes.
Transitional Military Council
The Transitional Military Council was formed following the April 2019 coup. The group is keen to transfer Sudan into a democracy within a 32 month period.
International Actors
Various states have attempted to intervene in the ongoing crisis. The UN, Europe and America were reluctant to identify the conflict as genocide, fearing that involvement in the conflict would not be best for their security and regional interests. The Arab League and African Union previously downplayed the violence in Darfur, supporting the Sudanese Government during the early years of the conflict because they had allies aligned with the Sudanese Government. The Sudanese Government have also refused to allow multiple international aid organisations into the country, only allowing 300 African Union ceasefire monitors into the region until the 2010s. The group failed to have any significant impact. International efforts have however improved in recent years following the fall of al-Bashir.
The Situation
Deteriorating
The current situation in Darfur remains tense. Due to the remoteness of the villages, the flow of information is slow and often inaccurate. Access to the region for international organizations is limited by the new government and the RSF.
The October 2021 coup in Khartoum sparked further conflict in the region. Throughout November and December tribal clashes have developed, with an estimated 50 fatalities during the unrest.
Numerous peace agreements have been signed over the past two decades, but their inability to involve/ accommodate all conflicting parties allowed spoilers to damage the implementation of the peace accords. This has led to a reluctance of some parties to attend peace initiatives, furthering the conflict.
Government efforts to consolidate locals may improve the situation in Darfur gradually. In 2021 the Director of state police, Maj.Gen. Yahya Mohamed El Nour, confirmed that the local authority constructed a police station in Kasab camp in cooperation with UNAMID and that they are constructing a police station in the Nina village. The Sudanese Congress Party in North Darfur is also encouraging the government to fulfil its security responsibilities.
As a result, the current situation is bleak. No substantial peace agreement is imminent because the flow of arms, missile strikes and conflicts with IDPs remains a consistent trend. Ethnic disputes between Arab herders and African farmers continue, especially during drought seasons. The UN mission in Darfur’s (UNAMID) mandate ended in December 2020 and was replaced with the United Nations Integrated Transition Assistance Mission in Sudan (UNITAMS). However, their efforts have yet to make a significant impact within the region.
Section 1400: Terrorism Links: Groups & Individuals
Ongoing Conflict In Darfur
Last Update: 09/2024
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