The Darfur Conflict; what's the problem?

Suzie Hodges talks to an expert to get an idea of the complexities of the conflict

Sudan's people are malnourished and living through drought with little access to health and communication services

Every day I see thousands of riveting headlines and countless photos of young faces wrought with malnutrition through the conflict in Darfur. There’s no doubt that the humanitarian crisis is very real, but in order to have an idea of what should be done, I wanted to get a better idea of how it began. I spoke to Dr. Peter Bechtold, an international scholar and expert in Middle Eastern and African studies, who believes that the picture being painted through the media of the conflict, may well be over-simplified.

Many consider the origin of the Dafur conflict to be when fighting broke out in 2003 while others claim it stems from tribal conflict in the 1970s. The truth is, Sudan has a long and complex history of tribal conflict, a poor governmental infrastructure, and deteriorating natural conditions. Dr. Bechtold assures me that the problems began much earlier, in the late 19th century, when European powers engraved their colonial lines directly through tribal lands and upset the existing geography of Africa and that tensions have been growing and intensifying through the decades.

Media coverage of the conflict focuses on a repulsion for the government, Janjaweed, which is accused of the murder, rape, and torture of thousands. However, Dr Bechtold believes that the media’s portrayal of the situation is often too black and white. He believes that the process of gathering information about the conflict is often flawed, with journalists relying heavily on translators and on the bias of the tribe they interview. Readers should be aware that death polls, figures and statistics vary widely depending on where the information is coming from, and various tactics are used by groups to stir discontent and gain external aid.

Sudan is a huge nation, with approximately 400 languages and 597 different tribes. It has been under foreign rule through most of its existence and its people are living though drought, are malnourished, largely uneducated and with little access to health or communication services. In most regions, the government centre lies far beyond practical access, and many will never see a government official in their lifetimes. According to Dr Bechtold, local leaders often feel marginalized and gather rebel groups to fight for what they feel represents justice, which is often simply the right for basic needs such as water.

With so many different issues and problems surrounding the Darfur crisis, what should be done to try and resolve it? Dr. Bechtold believes that providing water and resources will go a long way to ease tensions in Sudan, but he is wary about sending aid in the form of troops who often face hostility from tribes who feel that their cultural identities are not respected or understood. He argues for the vital importance of training and educating people in the western world about their languages and cultures. Organisations such as Oxfam and Peace Corps play an important role not only in providing aid but also training in tribal cultures and languages. Above all, Dr Bechtold believes in the power we gain from educating ourselves on the issues, cultures and rich history of the conflict, enabling us to see beyond the headlines and therefore helping to build a solid foundation of knowledge, respect and trust which will be essential in any future peace plans