The situation in the Sudanese region of Darfur is often referred
to as one of the worst humanitarian crises in the world. It is
also a deeply complicated situation involving tensions between
the Sudanese government and rebel militias; nomadic herders and
farmers; and Darfurians of Arab descent and those of African descent.
Since rebels attacked military sites three years ago, militias
on horseback known as Janjaweed have brutally attacked civilians – killing
villagers, burning villages, and raping women in calculated attacks
that have been called genocidal. The Janjaweed are believed to
be backed by the Sudanese government.
Estimates of the number of people killed in Darfur
over the past three years range from 180,000 to as high as 400,000. Over 200,000 Darfurians have sought refuge
in the eastern part of neighboring Chad, and more than 2 million
people have been internally displaced, many gathered into crowded
camps with limited basic services.. The
conflict has recently spilled over to neighboring Chad, where
refugee camps there have been attacked by armed militias.
The African Union has authorized its force of 7,000 troops to remain in the region until the end of 2006, extending their mandate beyond the original deadline of September 30. Critics maintain that this force, while better than nothing, is too small and underequipped to contain the crisis. The U.N. Security Council has voted to authorize over 20,000 peacekeeping troops to replace the AU force, but the Sudanese government staunchly refuses to accept them. Heads of state around the world are actively trying to pressure Sudanese President Omar Hassan al-Bashir to change his mind.
Download InterAction's Member Activity Report
on Chad and Sudan
