Survival crisis in Sudan

2004-05-13 12:29

El Fashir - The conflict in Sudan's Darfur region stems from decades of conflict between farmers and nomads in the wide expanses of the northwestern part of Africa's largest country.

The situation worsened as the central government in Khartoum had neglected and marginalised the area for a long time.

Drought, the creeping desert and a growing population have deepened the people of Darfur's battle for land and resources.

Ethnic and tribal struggles among the seven million residents have been exploited by those pursuing tactics of divide and rule, inciting one group against the other, observers say.

Misconception

Many mistakenly believe the conflict is between "Arab" Muslims in the north and "black" Christians in the south. The misconception is enhanced by the protracted conflict between the Khartoum regime and SPLA/M rebels in the south.

The Darfur conflict is worsening despite constant progress in peace negotiations between government and the SPLA/M rebels. Observers, however, have warned that the conflict is increasingly raising questions as to the success of negotiations.

"One cannot initiate peace agreements amid civil war," a Western diplomat maintains.

Experts note that sporadic attacks on farming communities in Darfur have become a way of life for the area's nomadic shepherds.

The Arab minority has been in a struggle with the farmers since the 1970s. Since the severe drought of 1983 nomads have constantly been driven further south and attacks on farmers have increased.

Simultaneously, successive regimes in Sudan have used Arab gangs to suppress the increasingly restive Darfur.

Observers believe this has curried favour with the government for the Arab nomads and they had been rewarded with local government positions, money and arms to the detriment of "African" tribes.

Traditional tribal conflict

"Government policy has resulted in a traditional tribal conflict over access to pastures, land and water deteriorating into a new kind of conflict with a broad ethnic agenda," says the International Crisis Group a non-governmental organisation.

The highly independent Fur group, who have been ruled by the sultan of Darfur since 1916, have revolted with the Zaghawa, Masalit and other tribes in reaction to this. This resulted in the formation of the Sudanese Liberation Army in February 2003.

Rebels are demanding a "united, democratic Sudan" with greater political autonomy for their region. They also demand that Darfur residents of "Arab descent" join the non-Arab population in their struggle against central government.

Sudan National Commissioner for Humanitarian Aid Dr Sulaf El Din claims Darfur residents are in support of government attempts at suppressing the rebels. "That does not mean government has taken sides against any given group."

Opportunists and criminals

Armed Janjaweed gangs who are described as "nomads, opportunists and criminals" by observers appear to be mainly responsible for the havoc in Darfur - reportedly with government support.

A tribal leader to the west of Darfur has told The United Nationsl news agnency Irin that the army had earlier attacked towns ahead of the Janjaweed moving in. "Now the gangs have good weapons; even better than the army's."

A Darfur member of parliament has confirmed the allegations to Irin.

"The Janjaweed wants land and they have now realised they can have it with government aid. It is an opportunity they could only dream of in the past."

As a result of the conflict hundreds of towns and large tracts of agricultural land have been destroyed. Food prices have risen alarmingly and trade has come to a standstill. Stock prices have dropped since farmers try and sell their stock before they can be plundered. - UN/Irin

- Media24 Africa