The Darfur Region of the SudanBy Hillary PearsonandDavid Thomason

Sudanese Flag

The Darfur RegionLocated in Western SudanNorthern Region is affected by desertification Southern and Western regions are composed of fertile farm-land

Sudan and Darfur Region

Background HistorySudan was under British control until 1956Since then, Sudan has been in civil war, except for one decade - from 1972-1982 During this time, there was a cease-fire in Sudan Arabs and Muslims dominate the Sudanese government

Groups of the DarfurThere are 3 major African tribes in DarfurFurMasalitZaghawaThese tribes have farmed the most fertile land in Darfur for generations Arab nomads herd cattle each year in northern Darfur

Fur MasalitThe TribesZaghawa

From Peace to War

The Africans crops are being trampled by the Arabs herds of cattle and camels The Africans have resorted to self defense to protect their crops and are receiving no governmental support

African Rebels

The AfricansKnown as the RebelsTwo GroupsSudanese Liberation Army/Movement (SLA/M)Justice and Equality Movement (JEM)

Africans Refugees Fleeing Home

The Arabs and the GovernmentMany Sudanese people believe that the Arabs are being supported by the governmentSimilar uniformsCoup in 1889 which led to a military supportive governmentThe Janjaweed is a Arab militia in Darfur This groups raids homes of civiliansThe Government and the Janjaweed has displaced over 1.5 million civilians

Homeless People, Ruined TownsA displaced refugee resting after 34 days of walking to safetyThe remains of a town ruined by the Janjaweed officers

Has the Government Helped?The Sudanese Governments only attempt to help the Africans was by declaring a ceasefire the Ceasefire has not been at all successfulCEASEFIRE- an order to stop fighting, or a suspension of hostile activities; truceOverall, the government has done nothing, other then denying the rumors about helping the Janjaweed

Omar al - Bashir Sudanese President Denied anything to do with the Janjaweed and referred to them as thieves and gangsters

International Help and Views

Aid agencies have set up refugee camps, but have complained of lack of resources and Sudanese Bureaucratic interference Since so many countries are arguing about what to do with the situation in Darfur, not much international help has been received.

Bibliographywww.google.com/images www.hrw.org/reports/2004/sudanwww.sudan101.comwww.nytimes.com