Refusing to Save Darfur

The seventh year of cruelties are underway in Darfur, the most protested and well documented case of genocide in history, reports author Eric Reeves for Dissent. The International Criminal Court filed formal charges of genocide in July 2008, yet Western countries hesitate to take action, and China, Russia and other nations continue to provide military equipment and economic investment that aids Khartoum. “Obstruction has been made easier by the fractious nature of the Darfur rebels, most of whom can lay little claim to representing the wishes or aspirations of people trapped in the camps or living in terror in rural areas,” Reeves writes. “Lack of political and military unity among rebel groups provides Khartoum a ready-made excuse for not engaging in substantive talks to fashion a cease-fire and restart a moribund peace process.” An understaffed African force in place, operating under the authority of the United Nations, cannot reduce the violence without sanctions or other vigorous signs of support from the international community. – YaleGlobal