Darfur; A challenge of 21st century to intl community
By Roba Gibia
Sept 13, 2006 — If one looks around the globe, he will see numerous problems and crisis in various parts of our planet and particularly in Africa and third world countries in general. The causes of this crisis, seems to be alike and identical in most circumstances, which is a struggle for freedom, survival and decent living, but always the poor is pitted and disgraced. Africa is one of the most notorious continents in this regard, due to lack of good governance and respect to human dignity. And above all, there is no inclusive and adequate development, and the basic services hardly exist. The African peoples were victimized by their own governments, and have no say in government and their own affairs, and are dictated to accept the situation as their ultimate destiny. Ethnic or tribal conflicts, corruption, nepotism and poverty are the main occupants of the continent. And with the high percentage of illiteracy and penury, prevalence of fairly democratic governance and accountability has become barely or unfeasibly to attain. Our governments have to be faulted and hold questionable for the agony of their people, and lack of progress is due to the continued conflicts, totalitarian rule, marginalization, instability and lack of opportunity for social and economic development. And that was obvious, as this year alone around 20,000 African migrants mostly from sub-Sahara made their way to Europe in a risky and miserable conditions, and about 3,000 perished in ocean en route to Europe, escaping from a hell in their country and seeking a better opportunity, better life and better living conditions, but unfortunately most of them end up losing their lives and some face uncertain future or deportation. And that was same case with some Sudanese refugees from the ravaged Darfur region, who entered Israel illegally after Cairo incident and some were shot dead while crossing Egyptian-Israel border. These refugees were the victims of their government, and were forced to seek protection and safety anywhere on the face of earth, even if that costs their life.
When the ethnic crisis erupted in Rwanda, the international community stood back watching till the genocide occurred in 1994, then the world stepped in and the UN force was dispatched to Rwanda. But when Kosovo crisis detonated, US led alliance (NATO) launched military action against Serb forces without the approval of UN Security Council, to defuse the scale of Serbian atrocities. And indeed president Slobodan Milosevic was forced to agree to withdraw Yugoslav and Serb troops from the province, paving the way for international peacekeepers to move in. And all those who were accused of committing atrocities including Milosevic were held accountable. But the international community failed Rwanda miserably! If one may ask, why? I think because the world has not yet recovered completely from its discriminative attitude toward some nations or races, particularly toward vulnerable and poor communities which are screaming day and night and badly request intervention of international community, but unfortunately their voices were not heard, simply because their conflict is not a wealthy one but a poor conflict. And that was exactly what happened during Khartoum or north-south conflict, as there was ethnic cleansing, mass murder, enslavement and other crimes against humanity, but no one was held questionable or accountable for all the atrocities committed but rather it was turned down! After Rwanda genocide, the world community regretted and promised that Rwanda two shouldn’t be permitted to reoccur, but it seems it is now occurring! As when Darfur crisis erupted in 2003, it was clear that there is ethnic cleansing, mass murder and genocide going on which require urgent intervention of the international community to curb and stop the massacre of civilians. And after lengthy discussions and pressure on Khartoum, AU forces were deployed in Darfur but it failed to defuse and stop the level of atrocities and escalating conflicts due to lack of equipment and swift respond. This is obvious, as according to one of AU commander’s confession that “we are too few and not well equipped – it makes me furious, we just patrol, show our faces, and we come back to our base. This is my ninth mission, but I have never worked in a situation like this, in terms of mandate, equipment and procedures. We only investigate and report when something happens, but we don’t do anything about it”! That is the actual situation and calamity of poor Darfurian people whose hope rest entirely in the hands of God. And Tomo Kriznar was right in saying that his arrest in Sudan had something to do with the fact that some people were afraid that he was investigating mass graves too much. And that was exactly the trepidation of Khartoum by arresting him and confiscating his 5,000 digital photos in his computer. Darfur crisis is a really challenge of 21st century to the international community, as whether they will save the people of Darfur from extinction or leave them under the mercy of Khartoum government! And I think it is time for UN to move in instead of vocal warnings, and commit itself by deadline for Khartoum to comply with or otherwise Khartoum will continue to buy time and mobilize and put forward plans to accomplish its mission in Darfur. Astonishingly, even though that the Security Council resolution 1706 is written under the enforcement chapter of the UN, that the force could go in whether Sudan wants or not, but it seems the actual perception is different and is not the chosen choice, and this is a big crack in the resolution 1706. As the resolution failed to commit a deadline for Sudan’s consent, and this is a weak point in the resolution. The situation in Darfur is worsening day after day, and is becoming more catastrophic than ever or as in 2003, particularly under the current extensive bombardment, it requires urgent action today and not tomorrow. And one wonders as whether the international community has got the will to save the people of Darfur or is contented with condemning the deeds of Khartoum barely in the strongest possible terms! Unless international community stands firm before the challenge of 21st century, and has options on table to neutralize the magnitude of civilian suffering, it is going to fail Darfur as it failed Rwanda in 1994.
* Roba Gibia is a Sudan Tribune columnist, he can be reached at [email protected]