Darfur: conflict or armed mayhem?

April 5, 2007 (KHARTOUM) — The four-year-old Darfur conflict between Sudanese government-backed militias and rebel groups has become a bloody free-for-all that threatens to undermine the world’s biggest humanitarian effort.

Militias, rebels, splintered rebel factions, bandits and some of the more than 70 tribes are fighting for everything from power to cattle — destroying villages, displacing more people, raping and frightening away relief workers in the process.

“We used to know who to call for security guarantees before travelling the roads to deliver supplies. Now it takes a lot of planning because it is very hard to determine who is in charge in any given area,” said Jessica Barry, International Committee of the Red Cross spokeswoman.

“Because there is so much fragmentation within armed groups, finding an interlocutor is difficult.”

Washington and its allies want Sudanese President Omar Hassan al-Bashir to embrace U.N. troops to take over peacekeeping in Darfur.

He resists, saying the deployment would amount to colonialism, while vaguely pointing out his government is willing to “review” some issues.

But as the years’ old diplomatic standoff continues, the situation in Darfur deteriorates and the only protection in the region remains the African Union.

The AU operates an overstretched 7,000-strong force in Darfur, where violence has persisted despite an AU-brokered 2006 peace agreement between the government and one rebel faction.

Gunmen attacked five AU troops on Sunday in the deadliest single assault on the African force since it was deployed in 2004. The day before a helicopter carrying the AU deputy force commander came under fire.

“GREAT CONCERN”

The AU chairperson quickly noted “with great concern” that one attack took place in an area controlled by the Sudan Liberation Army (Movement) faction that made peace with Khartoum and the other in turf belonging to a rejectionist SLA group.

Sam Ibok, the AU official heading efforts to implement the peace deal, wants increased U.N. logistical support and sophisticated defensive weapons and planes.

“You have lots of fragmentation among rebel groups and militias. One rebel group which rejected the peace deal has become eight groups. Then you just have bandits and others whose goals are unclear. It is impossible to make distinctions” Ibok told Reuters.

“It is very easy for the people who kill our soldiers to say ‘Yes it’s our territory but the people who attacked you defected’. It’s hard to hold anyone accountable.”

Aid workers say making peace with the government does not make former rebels less dangerous.

Many humanitarian groups have pulled out of rural areas. Driving along roads they know well offers no security guarantees because gunmen have constantly shifting agendas. Bandits can kill for a car, a satellite telephone, or even clothing. Sexual assault against aid workers is a constant threat.

“Some armed groups are associated to political agendas. Others are serving a tribal and/or community interest regardless of a political affiliation,” said a humanitarian worker, who asked not to be named.

“Some are also participating in some ‘land redistribution strategy’ and contribute to the destabilization.”

Experts estimate that around 200,000 people have been killed and 2.5 million have fled their homes since the conflict flared in 2003, when rebels took up arms against Khartoum, charging it with neglect. The government says only 9,000 people have died.

TRIBAL CLASHES

Al-Tayyib Khamis, spokesman for the SLM, the only rebel faction to make peace, said it would be easy to disarm Darfur, but only “if the Janjaweed lay down their weapons first”.

But recent events show a much more complicated situation.

Clashes between Darfur’s tribes and sub-tribes, some operating on their own and others tied to rebels, are rising.

U.N. officials say tribal fighting is killing more people than clashes between government forces and rebels. Hundreds have died in tribal clashes since the start of the year.

In a recent incident, an angry crowd marched to the governor’s office in a Darfur state demanding help after tribal bloodshed killed more than 40 people in their village.

The governor made promises. But it was clear to all that violence has eroded the authority of the local government, the traditional mediator in tribal disputes.

In an address to parliament this week, Bashir promised peace would in Darfur, saying AU forces were playing a vital security role. He stressed, however, that only the “sons and daughters” of Sudan could unite Darfur.

Judging by the mayhem on the ground, experts say that could take generations.

During a meeting of the AU’s Peace and Security Council in Addis Ababa on Wednesday to review a report by investigators into the killings of the AU troops, Khartoum blamed the shootings on rebels who rejected the peace agreement.

Sudan’s AU ambassador said the culprits would be found.

The question is how and by whom?

(Reuters)