Sudan (Darfur)

Geography

Brief History of Darfur,Sudan

In 1820 Sudan is conquered by the Ottoman empire. 62 years later, Great Britain invades Sudan and in 1899 it is under the rule of Great Britain and Egypt. In 1956, they become independent and are ruled by the Khartoum, ruled by the northern arabs. in 1962 the civil war break between the Khartoum and the separatists of the south who were mostly Christian. After a couple of years a majour company discovered that in the southern part of Sudan there was an existence of oil.

In 1983 the civil war between the south and the north breaks again and continues for the next two decades, killing almost two million people. The National Islamic Front takes control of the military coup. In 1991 Osama Bin Laden moves to Sudan, where he would be living for almost four years. In 1993 Omar al- Bashir becomes president and in 1997 the U.S., puts economic sanctions on Sudan because it is considered a state sponsor of terrorism. In response from the attack from Kenya and Tanzania, U.S. launches missile attacks on Khartoum chemical plant which was acused of producing weapons.In 1999 Sudan starts exporting oil, and in 2003 the Rebel Groups decide to rise up because they were angry about the neglection from the central government.

Also in 2003, the Janjaweed militians do a campaign called "Scorched Earth" and they began to rape women, set villages on fire, steal shops, etc. In 2004, U.S. declares the Darfur Genocide, calling it "crimes against humanity".In 2006 Chad breaks all ties with Sudan because of the evidence saying that the government was supporting the rebels against Chad. in 2007, Bush imposes new sanctions on Sudan. 2006-2007 Sudanese economy is booming thanks for the oil, despite the fact of the crisis. May 2008, rebels from Darfur attack Omdurman. And in the 28 may 2008 John Kennedy becomes the first U.N. peacekeeper to be killed.

(PAULA VAN GINHOVEN)


What Happened?

In 2003, two opposition groups in Darfur: the Sudanese Liberation Movement (SLM), also known as the Sudanese Liberation Army (SLA), and the Justice and Equality Movement (JEM) rose up against the government led by President Bashir. They accused Khartoum, capital of Sudan, of oppressing black Africans in favour of Arabs as well as lack of supprt during prolonged droughts and near famine conditions. It all began when opposition groups attacked military installations.

On the opposing side of the conflict, there are the Arab Janjaweed. Most people believe they are being supported by the government since it has done little to stop the violence of this group. However, the government denies any connection with them.
Since the 2003 attack, violence has spread all over the region. There was aerial bombing involved which destroyed hundreds of villages and not only killed many people but also left them homeless.

There is an estimation that tgere are now about thirty opposition groups in Darfur which compete with each other for influence and power.

(ISABELLA RIVERA)


Role of Media in this conflict

The Media in Darfur didn't want to show what was really happening. The government millitaries were killing many innocent people and would harm anyone who they though was the opposition.
The role of media is very important since they control everything and at the end are the ones who will manipulate others to help. With the media being biased, no one could really believe what they were saying.