Learner Resource 7: Darfur Mystery

How are John and Yacoub connected?

Some leaders in other African countries have supported, trained, and armed the Janjaweed, inspired by ideas of Arab supremacism / The Jahul had to try to farm marginal land which was rocky and barren
Air temperatures are increasing due to global warming / John has taken early retirement. He likes holidays in Gran Canaria, golf, and fast cars
Herds of livestock belonging to Arab pastoralists (such as the Jahul pastoralists) died during the drought in 1980s and 1990s / Computer modelling shows that the rain patterns over Africa are strongly influenced by ocean temperatures
Dafur was starved of funds and investment by the Bashir government / Yacoub a member of a long established African tribe used to farm land in Darfur
Arab pastoralists used to graze their camels and goats on African farmland and the animals fertilised the soil / The Bashir government was exhausted by 20 years of war in the south
The Jahul have no land rights / In 1980s and 1990s a severe drought and famine occurred in Sudan
John is 50 years old and lives in England / After the drought and famine the pastoralists who had lost their herds tried to become farmers
Ocean temperatures are strongly influenced by air temperatures / John’s daughter works for UNHCR
The 2003 revolt was suppressed by Arab government by the Janjaweed, an armed militia, reinforced with Arab convicts / In 2003 the people of Darfur protested and revolted against the unfair neglect of their region
The Arab militia, the Janjaweed, ethnically cleansed Darfurians from their homes / In 1980 the rains failed in Africa
Yacoub now lives in a refugee camp / The tribes of Darfur used to live side by side productively and peacefully as pastoral nomad and farmer

This mystery is derived from the article ‘Scorched’ by Julian Borger, 28th April 2007 (modified 14th January 2016), The Guardian, Environment.

Version 1 1 © OCR 2016

Global Governance: Power and Borders

Answer to the Darfur Mystery

There have been three major conflicts and rebellions in the Darfur region of Sudan, (1987, 1995, and 2003). To a certain extent it could be argued that this period of time represents one long conflict interspersed with fragile periods of peace. The causes of the conflicts are complex and the impacts have been brutal.

In the particular article that inspired this mystery Julian Borger argues that although it was originally thought that the drought and famine in Darfur that sparked the conflict between the African farmers and Arab pastoralists was caused by overgrazing and poor land management, more recent research and computer modelling suggests that the drought and famine was caused by changing rainfall patterns over Africa. These changing rainfall patterns can be linked to changes in global temperatures, ie global warming.

John is therefore linked to Yacoub as John’s lifestyle contributes to the production of global warming gases. In addition his daughter works for an organisation that is now supporting Yacoub who has been displaced by the violence in Darfur.

The lives of Arab pastoralists were ruined by the drought and famine. Their animals died and they struggled to rebuild their herds. In an effort to maintain a livelihood they tried to become settled farmers only to find all the land owned by African farmers. At the same time African farmers protested at the neglect of their region by the largely Arab government of Sudan. The Arab government put down the protests in Darfur by employing armed militia against the people. The conflict became one of bitter ethnic divide and genocide.

Interestingly, Borger argues that in other areas of Sudan where there was no resource pressure Arabs were not persuaded into conflict with their neighbours.

Reflecting on the Darfur Mystery

1.  Read the Three Pillar Framework for the Responsibility to Protect (established by UN Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon):

·  Pillar 1: The state should protect its population from crimes against humanity, war crimes, genocide and ethnic cleansing

·  Pillar 2: States must be assisted by the international community in meeting these responsibilities

·  Pillar 3: If a state is unable to protect its population or indeed actively commits the crimes noted in pillar 1 then the international community should intervene in an appropriate and proportionate way.

2.  Decide if there are grounds for international collective action in Darfur. If so, what form should this action take? Summarise and justify your point of view.

3.  Read the articles below. Use the information from these articles to substantiate and support the summary statement you made in question 2 above.

Further reading about the complex conflicts in Darfur, Sudan

The Big Question: Why has the crisis grown worse in Darfur, and can there be a solution? By Steve Bloomfield Monday 4 September 2006 http://www.independent.co.uk/news/world/africa/the-big-question-why-has-the-crisis-grown-worse-in-darfur-and-can-there-be-a-solution-414642.html

This article describes and evaluates the attempts by the international community (e.g. African union, UN Security Council) to intervene and stop the conflict and protect the people.

The Big Question: What would a genocide charge mean for Sudan’s leader and his country? By Daniel Howden, Thursday 4 February 2010. http://www.independent.co.uk/news/world/africa/the-big-question-what-would-a-genocide-charge-mean-for-sudans-leader-and-his-country-1888795.html

This article describes and evaluates the actions taken by the International Criminal Court with regard to the atrocities committed in Darfur.

Darfur: Humanitarian Aid Held Hostage November 15 2006. Medecins Sans Frontiers

http://www.doctorswithoutborders.org/news-stories/ideaopinion/darfur-humanitarian-aid-held-hostage

Version 1 3 © OCR 2016

Global Governance: Power and Borders