Fierce military action in the west of Sudan and throughout the state of Darfur has erupted just when the people of Sudan were hopeful that peace would finally prevail in a strong and unified Sudan. The situation is escalating to the point of a new civil war that could in turn demolish the foundations of peace in the south.
Owing to the predominance of tribal customs, Darfur has seen tribal conflict over territory, water sources and pasture throughout its history. The situation is exacerbated by strong tribal bonds between Chad and the territory of Darfur with the latter becoming the theater of conflict for power clashes in Chad. The tribes in Darfur are two groups — the first includes African tribes that have natural extensions into Chad and the second group of Arab tribes. Diversity in customs and traditions has led to clashes.
The presence of militias and the ensuing military conflict within Darfur is primarily the result of the Sudanese government, which in order to curtail the Sudan People’s Liberation Movement (SPLM) contributed to the existence of weapons in the western region of the land. After signing the security agreement, though the killing in the south stopped, militias regrouped to confront the government in Khartoum.
There is little information concerning the armed militias, the Front for the Liberation of Sudan (FLS) headed by a young lawyer Abdel-Wahid Mohamad Noor which is the most active. Another is the Movement for Justice and Equality (MJE) led by Khalil Ibrahim, a doctor in London. Tijani Salem Dru, formerly an officer in the official Sudanese army, heads the military arm of the militia. Ahmad Ibrahim Dreej, a Sudanese politician who played a key role in previous governments of Khartoum, heads the Federal Alliance Party (FAP). The three militias are united on a number of issues, accusing the government of Khartoum of dictatorship, of marginalizing the demands and needs of the region, excluding its inhabitants from participating in government, in addition to the gross lack of basic services that has paralyzed the territory.
It is safe to say that the crisis in Darfur is primarily a social and economic one and consequently the required solutions are within the realm of the possible, especially if the government in Khartoum acts with transparency to contain the crisis through meetings, positive discussions and abstains from the use of force. However, external interferences may ruin peaceful attempts to contain the conflict. This time, according to the government in Sudan, the interference comes from Israel backed by Eritrea. a claim that the latter refutes.
It is imperative that the government of Sudan resolve the crisis quickly and satisfactorily together with the militias in Darfur to spare the blood of the Sudanese people and provide all groups with a chance to participate in solving these internal issues and make real contributions to build a new and unified Sudan that includes all ethnicities and religions and achieves equality and justice for the Sudanese nation before they come under such external pressure and interference that it could threaten the country’s independence and unity.
