Genocide: Case Study of Genocide in Darfur, Sudan

In early 2003, the Justice and Equality Movement (JEM) and Sudan Liberation Movement (SLM) attacked government installations and the government responded not with traditional troops, but by using the Arab militia known as the Janjaweed (they ride on horseback). The Janjaweed attacked villages in Darfur based on their ethnicity, race and religion. The government denies any involvement with the Janjaweed, but they’re part of the government’s campaign of ethnic cleansing against non-Arabs. The isolation of the people affected has hampered the ability for international organizations to deliver aid, leaving many of them to starve.

Consequences

Although no definite numbers are available due to the nature of the genocide, it is estimated that more than 200,000 have been killed so far and over 2 million have been displaced. The massive amounts of rapes committed by the Janjaweed has been an atrocious dehumanizing factor and has also helped contribute to the spread of AIDS and other infectious diseases. Furthermore, the conflict has contributed to massive instability in the region, including fostering warfare in the neighboring Chad.

Citizen Response

In Sudan, not many have stood up for those affected because many of those in power are part of the Arab ruling party of Sudan and are either in favor or complicit in the genocide. However, there have been large grassroots campaigns around the world (including in the US) to help stop the genocide. A large public outcry spearheaded by Samantha Power, professor at Harvard University and author of “A Problem from Hell” describing US foreign policy toward genocide, has generated much media attention but not action in the US government. Citizens around the world have tried to either contribute money to NGO’s for aid, engage in divestment campaigns or try to help spread the word.

Government Response

Unfortunately, the world community has only supported an African Union (AU) force of 7,000. However, even these forces are ineffective as they are simply monitoring troops and they are ill-equipped and cannot solve the conflict. Recently, the US (including statements by Condeleeza Rice) and the European Union have called for a United Nationas peacekeeping mission in Darfur, which sparked massive protests in Khartoum. However, it is unlikely that a peacekeeping mission would be able to pass the Security Council due to the veto threats of China (oil interests) and Russia. Also, many member nations are unable contribute troops in the status quo due to other demands such as United States troops in Iraq. Another international force, the North Atlantic Treaty Organization, tried airlifting supplies to the AU force, but they are still massively ill-equipped.

The US Senate passed a unanimous resolution to make a peace enforcement mission, however it has been useless so far. In July 2004, the US called Sudan a genocide but this has not culminated in the action originally envisioned.

So far, nongovernmental organizations (NGOs) have been the most effective at helping to relieve the effects of the genocide.

Sources Consulted

Sources