Giving Reconciliation a Chance in Sudan: Seeking an Alternative Response to the Darfur Conflict

摘要

In the Darfur region of Sudan, violent conflict between the Government of Sudan -- supported by the Janjaweed militias drawn from the Arab community, and the rebel groups drawn predominantly from the three African tribes (the Fur, Massalit, and Zaghawa) -- has been depicted largely as an Arab- African war. This conflict has witnessed massive displacements of population (with 2.7 million Internally Displaced Persons and approximately 250,000 living as refugees in Chad), destruction of property, and continued suffering despite the signing of the Darfur Peace Agreement in 2006. This thesis explores the origins of this conflict, and describes the factors that prolong it. Using Darfur as a case study, it promotes a conflict resolution mechanism based on traditional conflict resolution methods intended to facilitate the rebuilding of trust and consensus needed for renewed coexistence among Darfurians. While not dismissing the need for justice and punishment for those responsible or involved in crimes against humanity (genocide and war crimes), any resolution of the crisis must also provide a way for local-level reconciliation to occur so that displaced people can return home. Otherwise, their continued absence is bound to further complicate the peace process with the passage of time.