Dr. Albaqir A. Mukhtar Dr. Albaqir A. Mukhtar

Director oDirector of Al-Khatim Adlan Centre for Enlightenment and Human Development (KACE) – Khartoum, Sudan

What’s Going on What’s Going on in Darfur?in Darfur?

How The Conflict is How The Conflict is Perceived:Perceived:

a. In the Westa. In the West

b. The Arab/Islamic Worldb. The Arab/Islamic World

Nuba MountainsNuba Mountains

North-SouthNorth-South

From Darfur “African”From Darfur “African”

From Darfur “Arab”From Darfur “Arab”

From Darfur “African” From Darfur “African”

South-NorthSouth-North

North-NorthNorth-North

NorthNorth

NorthNorth

DarfurDarfur

Beja “Eastern Sudan”Beja “Eastern Sudan”

The Current Situation 1The Current Situation 1

Security is deteriorating by the daySecurity is deteriorating by the day The conflict reached Darfurian cities: The conflict reached Darfurian cities:

Crimes in the Cities: Recently the Crimes in the Cities: Recently the Janjaweed attacked Fashir and KabkabiyyaJanjaweed attacked Fashir and Kabkabiyya

JEM’s recent attack on Khartoum.JEM’s recent attack on Khartoum. Abductions & assassinations inside the Abductions & assassinations inside the

citiescities Crimes in the Camps:Crimes in the Camps: Highway robberyHighway robbery

The Current Situation 2The Current Situation 2

Killing, rape & displacement continues:Killing, rape & displacement continues: The latest Bombing on 3-4 May of the The latest Bombing on 3-4 May of the

school in Shegeg Karo by Antonov planes school in Shegeg Karo by Antonov planes 2 million displaced people living in about 2 million displaced people living in about

100 camps in Darfur 100 camps in Darfur 250,000 refugees in Chad250,000 refugees in Chad 10,000 in Central Africa10,000 in Central Africa Thousands went into the Northern CitiesThousands went into the Northern Cities Hundreds of villages burntHundreds of villages burnt

Historical Background 1Historical Background 1

An independent Sultanate for 700 An independent Sultanate for 700 yearsyears

Joined the rest of Sudan in 1916Joined the rest of Sudan in 1916 Then started a History of :Then started a History of :

NeglectNeglect Marginalization: political, economic and Marginalization: political, economic and

culturalcultural ExploitationExploitation RacismRacism

Historical Background 2Historical Background 2

Tribal conflict over resourcesTribal conflict over resources Regional instability and spread of Regional instability and spread of

small armssmall arms FamineFamine Armed RobberyArmed Robbery

Historical Background 3Historical Background 3

The Government became part of the The Government became part of the conflictconflict

Recruited the Janjaweed from amongst the Recruited the Janjaweed from amongst the “Arab” tribes.“Arab” tribes.

300,000 deaths according to the UN 300,000 deaths according to the UN Secretary General t the UN Security Secretary General t the UN Security Council. Council.

The attacks had compounded the extent of The attacks had compounded the extent of displacement, insecurity and untold human displacement, insecurity and untold human suffering.suffering.

Western MediaWestern Media

Revealed the atrocities in Darfur Revealed the atrocities in Darfur through Satellite imagesthrough Satellite images

Gave it a human faceGave it a human face Outrage of the publicOutrage of the public NGOs Campaigned NGOs Campaigned Governments RespondedGovernments Responded

Coverage in Western Coverage in Western MediaMedia

Example of Western Media Coverage:Example of Western Media Coverage: BBC Panorama: BBC Panorama: The New Killing fields The New Killing fields Date of transmission 14:11:04, Date of transmission 14:11:04, Presenter Presenter Hilary Anderson visited a Hilary Anderson visited a

devastated villagedevastated village Interviewed Survivors; among themInterviewed Survivors; among them Khadija, a woman from Darfur who Khadija, a woman from Darfur who

lost all her 3 children plus her lost all her 3 children plus her husband and brother. husband and brother.

Khadija’s WordsKhadija’s Words

““I found the body of my 4 year old son I found the body of my 4 year old son by the hospital. I picked him up and by the hospital. I picked him up and went looking for my other two went looking for my other two children. I found them dead inside the children. I found them dead inside the school. They'd been hiding in the school. They'd been hiding in the corner of the classroom. There were corner of the classroom. There were lots of dead children lying in front of lots of dead children lying in front of the school. There is so much sadness. the school. There is so much sadness. God forgive me, it would be better to God forgive me, it would be better to be deadbe dead””..

NGOsNGOs Example Amnesty International: Example Amnesty International: [PDF][PDF] Template_Page 5.eps ...... W hen Amnesty W hen Amnesty

International delegates tried to discuss the extent of the International delegates tried to discuss the extent of the problemproblemof of raperape in in DarfurDarfur with the Sudanese government in 2004, with the Sudanese government in 2004, every member of the every member of the ...... www.amnesty.org/resources/pdf/sudan_crisis_2006/svaw_cwww.amnesty.org/resources/pdf/sudan_crisis_2006/svaw_casesheet-eng.pdf - 2007-05-04 - Text VersionSudan: asesheet-eng.pdf - 2007-05-04 - Text VersionSudan: Surviving Surviving RapeRape in in

DarfurDarfur - Amnesty International - Amnesty International ...... SUDAN Surviving SUDAN Surviving RapeRape in in DarfurDarfur. . ...... On 19 July 2004, Amnesty International On 19 July 2004, Amnesty International launched alaunched areport on Sudan: report on Sudan: DarfurDarfur, , RapeRape as a Weapon of War, (AI as a Weapon of War, (AI Index: AFR 54/076/2004). Index: AFR 54/076/2004). ...... web.amnesty.org/library/index/engAFR540972004?web.amnesty.org/library/index/engAFR540972004?open&of=eng-sdn - 32k - 2004-08-09 - CachedDay for open&of=eng-sdn - 32k - 2004-08-09 - CachedDay for DarfurDarfur 2 - 10 December 06 - 2 - 10 December 06 -

Testimonies of 250 Rape Testimonies of 250 Rape VictimsVictims

We heard the Janjawid decide to open We heard the Janjawid decide to open fire on the Mosque, and so we decided fire on the Mosque, and so we decided to run out… they captured the to run out… they captured the women… The men were holding their women… The men were holding their throats and sitting on their bodies, so throats and sitting on their bodies, so they could not move, and they took off they could not move, and they took off their clothes and then used them as their clothes and then used them as women. More than one man would use women. More than one man would use one woman. I could hear the women one woman. I could hear the women crying for help, but there was no one to crying for help, but there was no one to help them.help them.

Human FaceHuman Face I was sleeping when the attack on Disa started. I I was sleeping when the attack on Disa started. I

was taken away by the attackers, they were all in was taken away by the attackers, they were all in uniforms. They took dozens of other girls and uniforms. They took dozens of other girls and made us walk for three hours. During the day we made us walk for three hours. During the day we were beaten and they were telling us: "You, the were beaten and they were telling us: "You, the black women, we will exterminate you, you have black women, we will exterminate you, you have no god." At night we were raped several times. no god." At night we were raped several times. The Arabs(1) guarded us with arms and we were The Arabs(1) guarded us with arms and we were not given food for three days." not given food for three days."

A female refugee from Disa [Masalit village, West A female refugee from Disa [Masalit village, West Darfur], interviewed by Amnesty International Darfur], interviewed by Amnesty International delegates in Goz Amer camp for Sudanese delegates in Goz Amer camp for Sudanese refugees in Chad, May 2004 refugees in Chad, May 2004

TestimoniesTestimonies The testimony of the Sudanese woman given above The testimony of the Sudanese woman given above

echoes hundreds of others, collected by Amnesty echoes hundreds of others, collected by Amnesty International, other human rights organisations, International, other human rights organisations, UN fact-finding missions and independent UN fact-finding missions and independent journalists. journalists.

They all describe a pattern of systematic and They all describe a pattern of systematic and unlawful attacks on civilians in North, West and unlawful attacks on civilians in North, West and South Darfur states, by a government-sponsored South Darfur states, by a government-sponsored militia mostly referred to as "Janjawid"(militia mostly referred to as "Janjawid"(armed men armed men on horseson horses) or "Arab militia" and by the government ) or "Arab militia" and by the government army, including through bombardments of civilian army, including through bombardments of civilian villages by the Sudanese Air Force. villages by the Sudanese Air Force.

These armed groups, mainly of Fur, Masalit and These armed groups, mainly of Fur, Masalit and Zaghawa ethnicity were founded in 2003. Zaghawa ethnicity were founded in 2003.

Western GovernmentsWestern Governments

Tough talk: No ActionTough talk: No Action Bogged in Controversial Bogged in Controversial

TerminologiesTerminologies Spent a lot of time debating what to Spent a lot of time debating what to

call itcall it Instead of how to change the situationInstead of how to change the situation China & Russia coming to rescue GOSChina & Russia coming to rescue GOS

Responses in the Responses in the Arab/Muslim WorldArab/Muslim World

The government of Sudan, The government of Sudan, The Arabic media, The Arabic media, High profile Islamists leaders, High profile Islamists leaders, Pro-Government northern Sudanese Pro-Government northern Sudanese

educated and intellectuals educated and intellectuals Denial, tolerance, indifference, Denial, tolerance, indifference, Casting doubts, shadowing the Casting doubts, shadowing the

realityreality

Frequently Asked Frequently Asked QuestionsQuestions

Sudanese and Arabic media, as well as Islamic Sudanese and Arabic media, as well as Islamic websites:websites:

““why is this focus on Darfur by the international why is this focus on Darfur by the international media and western governments?media and western governments?

““in whose name and for whose agenda?in whose name and for whose agenda?”” ““whether there are huge mineral resources in whether there are huge mineral resources in

Darfur that the west knows aboutDarfur that the west knows about”” These media outlets cast doubts on the These media outlets cast doubts on the ““westwest’’s s

sudden interest in Sudansudden interest in Sudan”” They suggest that strategic and economic They suggest that strategic and economic

interests, and not humanitarian reasons, are the interests, and not humanitarian reasons, are the main motivating factors for action main motivating factors for action

Arab MediaArab Media

In the Arab Media the main concern isIn the Arab Media the main concern is the international the international ““interventionintervention”” in in

Sudan. Sudan. A big conspiracy against the Muslim A big conspiracy against the Muslim

and Arab worlds; it started with and Arab worlds; it started with Afghanistan, then Iraq and now Sudan Afghanistan, then Iraq and now Sudan while Syria and Iran in the queue. while Syria and Iran in the queue.

Al-Jazeera TVAl-Jazeera TVTo give just the titles of the programs devoted by one satellite To give just the titles of the programs devoted by one satellite

channel, al-Jazeera TV, for the Darfur crisis, channel, al-Jazeera TV, for the Darfur crisis, Darfur and International Pressure on KhartoumDarfur and International Pressure on Khartoum aired 26/7/2004, aired 26/7/2004,

[i][i] Among the sub-headings of this program are: Among the sub-headings of this program are: ““international and international and

American focus on Darfur and the reasons behind itAmerican focus on Darfur and the reasons behind it””; ; ““accusations against Sudan Governmentaccusations against Sudan Government””; ; ““fears that Sudan may be occupiedfears that Sudan may be occupied””, , ““the importance of a political solution and the risks of imposing the importance of a political solution and the risks of imposing

sanctionssanctions””. . Another program was titled Another program was titled Darfur Opened the Door Wide for Darfur Opened the Door Wide for

International Intervention in SudanInternational Intervention in Sudan. . A third program was titled A third program was titled Darfur between Humanitarian Darfur between Humanitarian

Motivation and Interests of Great PowersMotivation and Interests of Great Powers aired 6/8/2004. aired 6/8/2004. The fourth program, which was a sheer propaganda on behalf of The fourth program, which was a sheer propaganda on behalf of

the government, is titled the government, is titled the Causes of the Crisis in Darfurthe Causes of the Crisis in Darfur, which , which was a prolonged interview with Alwas a prolonged interview with Al ’’Awwa aired on September 15, Awwa aired on September 15, 20042004

Muslim OrganizationsMuslim Organizations Example: Example: International Union of the Muslim Ulama (IUMU) International Union of the Muslim Ulama (IUMU)

headed by Sheikh Qaradawiheaded by Sheikh Qaradawi The Sheikh accused:The Sheikh accused:

Western governments of conspiring against Islam, and Western governments of conspiring against Islam, and Western NGOs working in Darfur of using humanitarian Western NGOs working in Darfur of using humanitarian

assistance as a disguise for missionary work, aiming to assistance as a disguise for missionary work, aiming to convert the people of Darfur to Christianity, as part of convert the people of Darfur to Christianity, as part of their religious war against Islam. their religious war against Islam.

He also stressed the need He also stressed the need ““to strengthen the religious to strengthen the religious knowledge of the people of Darfurknowledge of the people of Darfur””, and to meet their , and to meet their material needs.material needs.

He urged the fighting parties to stop this war, which gave He urged the fighting parties to stop this war, which gave the enemies of the Umma the opportunity to intervene in the enemies of the Umma the opportunity to intervene in MuslimsMuslims’’ affairs affairs

Quote from QaradawiQuote from Qaradawi

““the Zionists are behind what is the Zionists are behind what is happening in Darfur in order to happening in Darfur in order to cause turmoil in Sudan and to cause turmoil in Sudan and to distract the Umma from its focus on distract the Umma from its focus on Iraq and PalestineIraq and Palestine””

Mohammed Salim al-Mohammed Salim al-AwwaAwwa

Quote 1Quote 1 ““we investigated the matter when we we investigated the matter when we

were in Khartoum with members of were in Khartoum with members of Parliament from Darfur. When we Parliament from Darfur. When we went to Darfur we interviewed many went to Darfur we interviewed many women who told us there was no any women who told us there was no any raperape””..

Al-AwwaAl-Awwa Qoute 2Qoute 2 The fact of the matter is that the accusations of rape The fact of the matter is that the accusations of rape

were made to defame the government and the were made to defame the government and the people of Sudan, to make the case for foreign people of Sudan, to make the case for foreign intervention in the country. The Sudan Government intervention in the country. The Sudan Government did not do any wrong. All these accusations are did not do any wrong. All these accusations are false. There is a plan to subjugate Sudan to the false. There is a plan to subjugate Sudan to the west. Darfur is rich with pure iron ore, uranium, west. Darfur is rich with pure iron ore, uranium, and oil. Darfur is the Gate of Islam to Africa. The and oil. Darfur is the Gate of Islam to Africa. The unified Muslims of Darfur are a threat to the west. unified Muslims of Darfur are a threat to the west. That is why Darfur is a target. Now we must talk That is why Darfur is a target. Now we must talk about the conspiracy. What is going on in Palestine about the conspiracy. What is going on in Palestine and Darfur is a part of the conspiracy. The Zionist and Darfur is a part of the conspiracy. The Zionist enemies are working in Darfurenemies are working in Darfur

Common DenominatorCommon Denominator The common denominator among all the elements of this The common denominator among all the elements of this

trend is as follows: trend is as follows:

There is no genocide or ethnic cleansing in Darfur There is no genocide or ethnic cleansing in Darfur

There is no mass rape of women. There is no mass rape of women.

The JanjawidThe Janjawid are not synonymous with Arab tribes, are not synonymous with Arab tribes,

There are no There are no ““ArabsArabs”” per se in Darfur, for they all look alike. per se in Darfur, for they all look alike.

There is no relationship or coordination between the There is no relationship or coordination between the governmentgovernment’’s forces and the Janjawid. s forces and the Janjawid.

The crisis is a local problem; a tribal conflict over scarce The crisis is a local problem; a tribal conflict over scarce resources. resources.

The Three DsThe Three Ds

Why then a limited problem blown out Why then a limited problem blown out of proportion by the USA and of proportion by the USA and western powers?western powers?

It is a plot to:It is a plot to: Defame Islam,Defame Islam, Divide Sudan, Divide Sudan, Distract the worldDistract the world’’s attention from s attention from

Iraq and PalestineIraq and Palestine

Arab & Muslim countries Arab & Muslim countries and organisations and organisations

Once Arab & Muslims rested on this understanding Once Arab & Muslims rested on this understanding of the crisis, they turned away from Darfur;of the crisis, they turned away from Darfur;

Despite the fact that the victims and the aggressors Despite the fact that the victims and the aggressors are all Muslims, they did nothing to bring the crisis to are all Muslims, they did nothing to bring the crisis to a halt? a halt?

Muslim institutions in the West appear disinterested Muslim institutions in the West appear disinterested in the whole affair.in the whole affair.

Some are merely paying lip service to fend off Some are merely paying lip service to fend off accusations. accusations.

““At least this is how I felt when I caught up with Dr At least this is how I felt when I caught up with Dr Daud Abdullah, the Deputy Secretary General of the Daud Abdullah, the Deputy Secretary General of the Muslim Council of Britain (MCB), the largest Muslim Council of Britain (MCB), the largest umbrella Muslim group representing over 400 umbrella Muslim group representing over 400 Muslim organisations in the country”. Ramzy Baroud: Muslim organisations in the country”. Ramzy Baroud: @ @

http://www.bruneitimes.com.bn/details.php?shape_ID=29441http://www.bruneitimes.com.bn/details.php?shape_ID=29441

ConsequencesConsequences

An uncountable number of people are An uncountable number of people are unnecessarily dying, unnecessarily dying,

Starvation and disease, Starvation and disease, Murdered with impunity, Murdered with impunity, Two million live in refugee camps, Two million live in refugee camps, Still targeted mostly by Janjawid Still targeted mostly by Janjawid

militias militias Even those who cross into Chad _ Even those who cross into Chad _

200,000 refugees are not safe.200,000 refugees are not safe.

What is to be done?What is to be done?

Easing the humanitarian Crisis Easing the humanitarian Crisis Muslim and Arab governments must do more Muslim and Arab governments must do more

to help ease the humanitarian crisis both by to help ease the humanitarian crisis both by increasing financial assistance and by raising increasing financial assistance and by raising the profile of the crisis. It is Muslims who are the profile of the crisis. It is Muslims who are being killed yet many Muslim governments being killed yet many Muslim governments have failed to speak out about it. This is not have failed to speak out about it. This is not good enough.good enough.

Aid agencies on the ground in Darfur are there Aid agencies on the ground in Darfur are there to help the most vulnerable, and targeted to help the most vulnerable, and targeted attacks on aid workers and their assets must attacks on aid workers and their assets must stop now.stop now.

Government restrictions on access to Darfur Government restrictions on access to Darfur for aid workers must end.for aid workers must end.

Immediate MeasureImmediate Measure Promoting a ceasefire and Promoting a ceasefire and

International Humanitarian Law in International Humanitarian Law in DarfurDarfur

All sides - the rebels and government - All sides - the rebels and government - must immediately respect and comply must immediately respect and comply with the ceasefire agreements already with the ceasefire agreements already signed since May 2004.signed since May 2004.

The ceasefire should be monitored The ceasefire should be monitored closely, and the international community closely, and the international community must ensure those who violate it are held must ensure those who violate it are held to account.to account.

Immediate MeasuresImmediate Measures Ensuring effective protection for the civilians of Ensuring effective protection for the civilians of

DarfurDarfur As agreed at Abuja (with the African Union and Arab As agreed at Abuja (with the African Union and Arab

League in attendance), an effective AU-UN hybrid League in attendance), an effective AU-UN hybrid peacekeeping force should be deployed to protect peacekeeping force should be deployed to protect Darfuri civilians (this should include female Darfuri civilians (this should include female peacekeepers). peacekeepers).

This should be done as quickly as possible and with This should be done as quickly as possible and with the consent of all sides.the consent of all sides.

If any party tries to prevent the deployment of such If any party tries to prevent the deployment of such a force the international community, and the Muslim a force the international community, and the Muslim World in particular, must convince and pressure World in particular, must convince and pressure them to change their minds. Civilian protection must them to change their minds. Civilian protection must come first.come first.

More Involvement of More Involvement of ArabsArabs

To ensure that the force is accepted and is To ensure that the force is accepted and is effective Muslim and Arab governments effective Muslim and Arab governments should provide troops for it with a strict should provide troops for it with a strict mandate to protect civilian lives.mandate to protect civilian lives.

Arab states must commit funds to support Arab states must commit funds to support AMIS in the shorter term as agreed in the AMIS in the shorter term as agreed in the Arab League summit March 2006 – so far Arab League summit March 2006 – so far only $15m of the pledged $150m has been only $15m of the pledged $150m has been given to the AU.given to the AU.

Long TermLong Term

Supporting reconciliation and a Supporting reconciliation and a longer term peace processlonger term peace process

Muslim and Arab Governments Muslim and Arab Governments should play a more active role in should play a more active role in developing and supporting a developing and supporting a comprehensive and inclusive peace comprehensive and inclusive peace process for all parties. They should process for all parties. They should engage neutral parties such as South engage neutral parties such as South Africa to facilitate the process. Africa to facilitate the process.