According to the United Nations, up to 300,000 people have died in the Darfur conflict, and more than 2.2 million have fled their homes since rebels and militias started fighting in February 2003. Today, the governments of Chad and Sudan announced that they plan to deploy troops along their common border to observe and prevent cross-border incursions by armed groups. However, Chad and Sudan have been accused of supporting the very same rebels and militias.
Military Intervention
Overall international military intervention in this crisis has been minimal, although it has increased over the past few months. For example, an Egyptian infantry battalion today began deploying in Darfur as part of the African Union peacekeeping mission there. However, analysts point out that African Union troops have received little funding and logistical support. They have previously come under attack with little ability to respond. In Chad, more than 3,000 European Union troops are deployed in the border area to protect refugees. However, the EU force does not engage armed groups unless they are attacked directly.
International Criminal Court
Advocates for the refugee population show little confidence in both the governments of Chad or Sudan because compelling evidence points to official government support for the armed groups operating in the region. They have been calling for the prosecution of high ranking government officials for war crimes, crimes against humanity, and genocide. Their continued calls motivated International Criminal Court Prosecutor Luis Moreno Ocampo to exercise his authority.
Last year, the ICC issued warrants against Sudan's former interior minister Ahmad Harun and Ali Kushayb (leader of the Janjaweed militia) for war crimes and crimes against humanity in Darfur. In July this year, the ICC prosecutor asked the court to issue a warrant for the arrest of President Omar al-Bashir for genocide, war crimes and crimes against humanity. However, a panel of judges is still reviewing the evidence to determine whether there are reasonable grounds to proceed with the case. The prosecutor announced last week that he would seek fresh arrest warrants in a new probe into war crimes in Darfur.
ICC activities have had some political consequences in the international push to end the crisis. They can help explain the recent cooperation between Chad and Sudan. Also, the Arab League recently asked Qatar to sponsor new peace talks. A powerful rebel group announced today that it was ready to discuss the Qatar-sponsored peace plans, signaling a possible softening of attitudes towards the initiative.
Global Awareness
Observers believe that non-governmental and grass-roots awareness campaigns have directly helped inspire international intervention in the Darfur conflict. For example, American Life TV Network produced "A Journey to Darfur", a documentary chronicling a trip by Nick and George Clooney to the Sudan border. The documentary includes interviews with the refugees of Darfur, conducted by George and Nick Clooney. Several advocacy groups, like the well known "Save Darfur", have concentrated all their efforts towards relief for refugees and an end to the conflict.
Need for Peace
Reggae singer Peter Tosh once said that he did not need peace; he needed equal rights and justice, peace would come as a result. Many jurists and analysts agree with him when it comes to the question of ending the violence in Darfur. They believe that peace will not come only from military intervention; it will also come from fundamental changes in the governments of Chad and Sudan. These changes must include an end to official support for militias, guarantees for refugees, and accountability for the highest ranking government officials. The same jurists and analysts believe that international activism is helping make this possible.
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