Darfur: No Peace Without International Resolve

The armed conflict in Darfur has entered a new phase. Violence, insecurity, banditry activities and the commission of serious crimes are increasing. The conflict progressively transforms into low-intensity war and evolves into a situation of perpetual instability and lawlessness. All parties to the conflict bear responsibility for the current situation. Massive army operations were replaced by sporadic Janjaweed attacks because vast area was depopulated from its original inhabitants. UN Secretary-General report on Darfur to the Security Council of 19th July 2005 stated that: “The most compelling evidence of the poor security environment is that while the number of attacks on civilians decreased during the past year, the ranks of conflict-affected people continued to increase, especially among those who sought shelter and protection in IDP camps." Attacks against UN convoys, AU troops and humanitarian organisations are also increasing. This poses a serious security threat to the humanitarian staff and to the internally displaced persons (IDPs) who depend on humanitarian assistance. At present some 60 international humanitarian NGOs and 12 UN agencies have deployed about 13,000 aid workers in Darfur.

DRDC received information that during the last two weeks many attacks, abduction of civilians and banditry incidents took place in the region. On 28th August the Janjaweed attacked Um Zifa area. They destroyed the area and injured an African Union soldier. In the same day they attacked a humanitarian convey in Duma area around Nyala in Southern Darfur. On Friday 9th September shortly after Friday prayer time the Janjaweed attacked Tawila area in North Darfur. They killed five persons and injured more than 30 others. On Sunday 11th September the Janjaweed attacked Um Laouta about 30 km from Al Malum in Jabal Mara area and a second attack was reported in the Ummar Jadid area near Nyala.

DRDC is very concerned about the appalling situation faced by IDPs and the war-affected communities and the insecurity that surrounds areas of their concentration. More than 2.5 million people are denied their basic right to return to their original villages and pursue normal life. The government continue to handle the tragic situation of its war-affected citizens in Darfur including IDPs and refugees as political and security issue rather than a moral and ethical responsibility. Inaction in the part of the international community to back up measures undertaken by the UN Security Council notably Resolutions 1590 (2005) and 1591 (2005) which are yet to be fully implemented encourages the government to pursue its policy vis a vis the safety and return of IDPs and refugees. For the third year the government feels immune and under no pressure to stop the carnage in Darfur and allow IDPs and the war-affected civilians to return to their original homes and resume normal life.

The most urgent issue that needs to be addressed without delay is the disarmament of the Janjaweed and other government-allied militia groups. Sudan has refused to do so despite numerous resolutions adopted by the UN Security Council and the AU Peace and Security Council. DRDC reiterates its belief that protection of the defenceless civilian populations in Darfur from the army and Janjaweed attacks is the most critical need that should be addressed urgently. DRDC calls for the deployment of a resourceful and strong military force in Darfur which should be composed of at least 50,000 troops in order to effectively protect the more than 2 million IDPs and refugees and ensure their speedy and safe return to their original villages. This force should also be empowered to disarm the Janjaweed and apprehend their leaders and elements. DRDC calls on the international community to exercise pressure on the government of Sudan to ease the situation in the region and in particular to disarm the Janjaweed and apprehend their leaders.