How Has the Genocide in Darfur Changed?

Since 2003, the Darfur Conflict has been taking place in Sudan. During the years that have passed since the fighting began, there have been many people killed, however there has been a recent potential promising change to the genocide in Darfur. In 2010 a ceasefire agreement was signed, which changes the climate of the conflict, at least on an official level. Whether it will actually make any difference and whether there will be substantial changes to the genocide in Darfur remains to be seen.

One way in which the genocide in Darfur has changed is that the conflict has exploded into guerrilla war, with various groups at odds, some of whom support the government and some of whom support the rebel cause. The loss of human life is estimated to be at least 20,000 killed to date.

The end of the conflict is so far not in sight, and while things have changed since it began, they have not improved. The threat to human life remains the same, as does the unrest and chaos of a country at war with itself.

To understand how the genocide in Darfur has changed, you need to trace and understand the entire course of the conflict. 

Beginnings of the Genocide in Darfur

In 2003, the Sudan Liberation Army and Justice and Equality Movement joined forces to speak against the Sudanese government. The two groups accused the government of genocide and unfair treatment in how it treated black African citizens.

Effects on the Citizens Over Time

As the genocide rages on, citizens as well as those actually involved in the conflict in Darfur continue to suffer. Huge amounts of people are forced from their homes due to warfare, meaning they have to take refuge in camps or even in neighboring countries. The diseases, starvation, and general unrest and chaos are causing huge problems on a humanitarian level.

Responses from Other Countries

On an international level, many humanitarian groups from other countries have responded with serious concern and urgings for peace. Hoping to effect a change in the Genocide in Darfur, the International Criminal Court (ICC) within the United Nations issued arrest warrants in 2007 for the Minister of State in Sudan, a leader of one of the militia groups backed by the Sudanese government, for what they deemed “crimes against humanity.”

Thus far the warrants have been ineffective; Sudanese officials simply state that the ICC has no power to make them obey the command.

Ceasefire of the Genocide in Darfur

In 2010, there was, in fact, a ceasefire agreement signed, which should have prompted changes in the genocide in Darfur. Unfortunately, as of October 2010, its effects on the actual warfare have been negligible. At the signing, which took place in February of 2010, the Justice and Equality Movement (JEM) representatives sat down with the Sudanese government.

Unfortunately, it didn’t last; shortly after the signing, the Sudanese army instigated a number of attacks on various areas where JEM and Liberation Army supporters were living, causing the rebels to accuse the government of violating the agreement. As a consequence, the JEM representatives have publicly stated that they won’t try to negotiate with the government again.

So, unfortunately, despite best efforts, the genocide in Darfur really hasn't changed that much.