1. Darfur Interventions Presentation material for educators and activists developed by: UnderstandingSudan.org latest version: February 12, 2006
UnderstandingSudan.org University of California, Berkeley © 2006

2. Why Intervene in Darfur?
Security
Insecurity persists with no political solution
May end up with regional spillovers (esp. Chad)
Local political leadership and followers radicalized?
Humanitarian
High child mortality among the displaced
Normally 100 per 1,000, estimates run from 200 to 300 per 1,000
Justice
Genocide and/or crimes against humanity?
Perpetrators of atrocities enjoy impunity
Agricultural seasons going by with no planting, so livelihoods for coming years greatly affected
Migration and permanent displacement from camps to towns means loss of community, a way of life ending
Dispossession becomes a fact on the ground
UnderstandingSudan.org University of California, Berkeley © 2006

3. Genocide? Declaration triggers intervention? Uses by parties
Varying Definitions
1948 Geneva Convention
Lay and Customary international usage
Political equivocations
Political will (e.g. US House defunding AU mission)
Uses by parties
GOS – selective denigration of Arabs (re – Iraq, Palestine). Double standards: Why not DR Congo?
Internalized locally – contributes to ‘hardening’ of identities
Mobilizing international action
UnderstandingSudan.org University of California, Berkeley © 2006

4. UnderstandingSudan.org University of California, Berkeley © 2006

5. Variants of Intervention
Current situation: African Union monitors
Work in cooperation with Sudan government, recognizing sovereignty
Safe havens around towns
Guaranteed relief corridors, with no Sudan government oversight
Some say a bad idea because makes displacement more permanent
Darfur declared autonomous region
No-fly zones
Peace-making: Stronger mandate for peacekeepers
Third party intervention
UnderstandingSudan.org University of California, Berkeley © 2006

6. Current Interventions in Darfur
Humanitarian Intervention
13 UN agencies and 83 NGO’s and Red Cross/Red Crescent Societies
13,869 Staff (12,895 national; 974 international as of Nov. 2005)
Peace-monitoring/Protection Forces
African Union Mission in Sudan (AMIS) with support from European Union's African Peace Facility, UN and US (though US House just voted to cut funds 1/3/06.)
Currently 6,848 personnel in Darfur (peacekeepers, civilian police and military observers). Many say should be double or as much as 45,000.
International Political Actions
UN Resolutions
International Criminal Court – March ‘05 UN SCR 1593 referred situation to ICC
AU led peace process –
Negotiations in Abuja, Nigeria
Five point agenda agreed to: 1) The general principles; 2) security arrangements for an enhanced humanitarian ceasefire; 3) comprehensive ceasefire and final security arrangements: 4) social reintegration; 5) and time line for implementation,
January ’06 mini-Summit in Libya -- Now postponed
Regional Involvements
Chad, President Idriss Deby faces internal threats and supposedly is quite ill; recently diverted money from Chad oil pipeline to military uses, prompting World Bank and donors to cut-off assistance
Libya, Egypt, Uganda, DR Congo, Eritrea, Ethiopia are involved in complicated ways
UnderstandingSudan.org University of California, Berkeley © 2006

7. Strategies for activists
Mass movements to end the crisis by exercising political power
Improving human rights
Establishing anti-genocide structures
Humanitarian relief
UnderstandingSudan.org University of California, Berkeley © 2006

8. What should human rights activists be focusing on?
Monitoring United Nations activities and reports
Helping human rights organizations active in Sudan
UnderstandingSudan.org University of California, Berkeley © 2006

9. What should anti-genocide activists focus on?
Following closely activities of International Criminal Court
UnderstandingSudan.org University of California, Berkeley © 2006

10. What should humanitarian relief activists focus on? Raising money
UnderstandingSudan.org University of California, Berkeley © 2006

11. Mass-movement tactics for ending the crisis?
Pressuring China, Malaysia and India to use their leverage on government of Sudan
Million voices campaign of postcards to world leaders, especially President Bush
Divestment campaigns putting pressure on private sector
UnderstandingSudan.org University of California, Berkeley © 2006

12. Mass-movement tactics for ending the crisis?
Pressuring China, Malaysia and India to use their leverage on government of Sudan
Million voices campaign of postcards to world leaders, especially President Bush
Divestment campaigns putting pressure on private sector
UnderstandingSudan.org University of California, Berkeley © 2006

13. General observations Be committed to the long term
Educating ones’ self
History, languages, cultures
Larger regional scene (Chad, Libya, Uganda – Lord’s Resistance Army)
Getting back to “normal” will take a long time.
Return of IDPs and Refugees?
Truth and Reconciliation?
Re-establishing basic routines of production, reproduction of life.
Who will decide access and control over resources?
UnderstandingSudan.org University of California, Berkeley © 2006

14. Observations continued
Be committed to the long term
International aid – how to be part of a sustainable solution?
Jan Egelund, Under-Secretary-General for Humanitarian Affairs and Emergency Relief Coordinator
Don’t wait for emergencies, create funds up front beforehand.
Tony Blair and G8: Aid commitments to Africa?
AU and NEPAD – African solutions?
UnderstandingSudan.org University of California, Berkeley © 2006

15. Observations continued
Rethink “aid” and “development”
Interdependencies
Consumption and Production
Oil, Gum Arabic, Livestock, Water
Political Frameworks
War on Terror
Small arms proliferation
Peace-keeping, Peace-making….
Gendered aspects of violence, justice, recovery?
UnderstandingSudan.org University of California, Berkeley © 2006