The Genocide in Darfur

By Andrew Chung
June 15, 2005

Darfur? What's a Darfur? No, it is not the sequel to Hotel Rwanda, it is a reality and it is happening right now. While we worry about going to work the next day or which pair of shoes we're going to buy next, there is a genocide occurring in the Darfur region of western Sudan. Genocide. In the 21st century. It's strange to say it, and many may have feared finally terming the conflict as a 'genocide,' but the harsh truth couldn't be denied.

The ongoing conflict is rooted in the tense relations between the local Arab tribes and the non-Arab peoples of Darfur. In early 2003 the conflict spiked when Justice and Equality Movement (JEM) rebels and Sudanese Liberation Army (SLA) rebels, who believe the government has oppressed non-Arabs in support of Arabs, attacked government forces. In retaliation, the government began an initiative to support ground attacks by the Janjaweed, an Arab militia financially backed by the government and recruited from local tribes. Thus, while the conflict stemmed politically, it evolved into a conflict based on ethnicity as civilians were being targeted based on their Arab or non-Arab roots.

It has been estimated that 70,000 to over 300,000 have died since the conflict began, and millions have been displaced from their homes. While governments continue to squabble over how the conflict should be handled based on their own political agendas, thousands are dying per month.

Yes, it is hard to look outside the bubble we all live in. But we must remind ourselves that we all live here together, and we all have a responsibility to each other as a family of peoples from this earth. The first step is awareness. While we seem to be so occupied bickering over the meaning of marriage, we turn a blind eye to those that are dying frivolously when we possess the power to act. The importance of life is perhaps the underlying ideal of both religion and politics, yet it is primarily these two things that result in it being taken away.

We can help stop the genocide by persuading governments to pressure the Sudanese government from perpetuating the attacks. Protests and lobbying can be aided through your participation, letters, and donations. Try darfurgenocide.org, savedarfur.org, genocideinterventionfund.org, or amnesty.ca. There are many other outlets to making a difference, but again the first step is to create your own awareness and then taking the initiative to act.