As explained in the historical perspective of this conflict, the Darfur crisis dates back to tensions between Northern and Southern tribes of Sudan. But if we were to analyze the conflict from a more recent point of view, and from a political perspective, it is clear that there exist many causes for the Darfur genocide, as well as to why it has lasted for so long and is still on-going today.
Of course, most of the blame can be attributed to Omar al-Bashir. Since his election in 1996, he has caused the Islamisation of Sudan, which has raised even more the existing tensions between religious groups and Arabic and African tribes.
Bashir is also responsible for the abolition of local councils. These councils were responsible for dealing with issues and disputes in a peaceful manner, through discussion and meetings. However, Bashir abolished these councils when he took the government’s power in 1989 (Thomson Reuters Foundation, 2014, par. 27).
Another aspect that is responsible for the sustenance of the Darfur genocide is the Bashir government’s involvement with the Janjaweed. The Janjaweed, meaning a man with a gun on a horse, are composed mainly of Arab tribe-men who go against the African farming tribes of the same region (Koerner, 2005, par. 2).
Since the Sudan Liberation Army (SLA) and the Justice and Equality Movement (JEM) attacked the government in Khartoum in 2003, Bashir has affiliated himself to the Janjaweed, to overcome these rebel groups (Koerner, 2005, par. 3). Since then, the Janjaweed has been responsible for mass murders, robberies, the pollution of water sources and the destruction of villages of all tribes associated ethnically to the SLA and the JEM. All these attacks have been supported by Bashir’s government.
Of course, most of the blame can be attributed to Omar al-Bashir. Since his election in 1996, he has caused the Islamisation of Sudan, which has raised even more the existing tensions between religious groups and Arabic and African tribes.
Bashir is also responsible for the abolition of local councils. These councils were responsible for dealing with issues and disputes in a peaceful manner, through discussion and meetings. However, Bashir abolished these councils when he took the government’s power in 1989 (Thomson Reuters Foundation, 2014, par. 27).
Another aspect that is responsible for the sustenance of the Darfur genocide is the Bashir government’s involvement with the Janjaweed. The Janjaweed, meaning a man with a gun on a horse, are composed mainly of Arab tribe-men who go against the African farming tribes of the same region (Koerner, 2005, par. 2).
Since the Sudan Liberation Army (SLA) and the Justice and Equality Movement (JEM) attacked the government in Khartoum in 2003, Bashir has affiliated himself to the Janjaweed, to overcome these rebel groups (Koerner, 2005, par. 3). Since then, the Janjaweed has been responsible for mass murders, robberies, the pollution of water sources and the destruction of villages of all tribes associated ethnically to the SLA and the JEM. All these attacks have been supported by Bashir’s government.