Africa Update: Darfur

300,000 people dead and counting.

So I figure most people have at least heard about the situation in Darfur, the western region of the African country Sudan. If you haven't heard or want to know more, here is a very quick summary.

Sudan has had civil wars going on for decades. For instance, a 21-year conflict between the government and rebels in the south just ended with a peace deal signed in January of this year. In 2003, however, a separate conflict started in the western region of Darfur. People from several black African tribes residing in Darfur formed a rebel movement and attacked government targets (police stations, etc). They are fighting because they feel they have been neglected and excluded by the Arab government of Sudan. The government responded by helping to arm Arab militia known as the Janjaweed, who have been systematically terrorizing the villages of these black tribes. The Janjaweed have committed massive amounts of murder, rape, looting and other crimes. Current estimates say around 300,000 people may have died as a result of this conflict. 2 million more people have been forced out of their homes and into refugee camps, where they suffer from shortages of food and water. The Sudanese government, despite it's denials, has supported the Janjaweed, often sending government troops who participate with the Janjaweed in attacts. The US government has already declared that these acts amount to genocide, but relatively little has been done by the US or the rest of the international community, and the conflict continues.