Darfur, Sudan

There has been an ongoing ethnic conflict in Sudan for the past two decades. However, only on July 2001, did the conflict arise to a greater level, eventually turning into a civil war.

This conflict in Sudan is extremely significant and important throughout the world because it is believed by many that it is another genocide. Majority of the media have announced it as genocide, and the US government described it that way as well. However, the UN has declined to agree with that term.

The last civil war was actually the second Sudanese civil war, and it was primarily Muslims and Christians in conflict. However this time the issue is much greater than just religious differences.

The Sudanese army is "bombing civilians in Darfur." This civil war is Government forces, pro-government militias and rebels, all in constant fighting. A WFP official reported that food aid has been cut off from at least 355,000 people in the region. There are two main groups involved, The Government of Sudan and the Janjaweed and the Non-Baggara people of the region, who are land tilling tribes. The Janjaweed recruited camel herding Arabs also known as Abbala, to join in the military group. The majority of the residents in Darfur are Muslims. Thus this issue is long confused as being characterized as a conflict between the Arab and African populations. Many scholars and historians tried to trace the history of this issue. Many believe that this civil war resulted from combination of environmental calamity, political opportunism and regional geopolitics.
Why didn’t the UN get involved?

The answer is quite simple. This is a perfect example of national sovereignty. The UN does not have any power over a nation. It can merely suggest.

The UN had passed a resolution, Resolution 1706 which aimed to aid Sudan by sending a new peacekeeping force of 20,000 to the region.

Sudan however, expressed strong opposition to the resolution, and asked the AU forces to leave the region adding “they have no right to transfer this assignment to the United Nations or any other party. This right rests with the government of Sudan."

The senior assistant to the President of the Republic, Minnawi, stated that he does not object to the new UN peacekeeping force. However, Sudanese president Al-Bashir claimed that it was a colonial plan and said that "we do not want Sudan to turn into another Iraq.”

Recently Sudan allowed UN peace keepers to enter and aid the country. Nevertheless, Sudan has rejected the expansion of the (UNMIS) to the troubled region. Presently the UN assists an African Union mission there.