Web Assignment and Darfur

The Darfur conflict that had been raging since 2003 had already displaced 2. 7 million people by the continuous fighting of government troops and rebel forces. People are constantly fleeing their homes and villages and they have no means to build their lives with some sense of permanence and security. Niemat Ahmadi, the Darfur Liaison Officer of the Save Darfur Coalition testified before the United Nations on the violence against women.
She reported that women were mostly affected with their forced displacement. They continue to be victims of emotional, sexual, and physical violence in the humiliation, rape and beatings that are committed against them daily. They are subjected to brutality in all forms including starvation and death. Niemat Ahmadi noted that “in Darfur, rape is being used as a weapon of war. ” She appealed to the United States of America and the rest of the world to help end the suffering of women in Darfur.
In April 2007, the International Criminal Court (ICC) issued warrants for Ahmad Harun, Sudan’s government minister and Ali Kushayb, a Janjaweed leader for leading the attacks on civilians in West Darfur. In July 2008 a warrant was also issued to the president of Sudan, Omar al Bashir for war crimes, crimes against humanity and genocide. The Sudanese government refused to cooperate and arrest Harun and Kashayb. As for Bashir, Sudan mounted a diplomatic offensive and successfully worked for a deferment of the investigation.

Sudan presents a different picture of Darfur to the world, claiming that it is willing to proceed with measures to achieve peace and justice in Darfur, contrary to what their actions reveal. Meantime, 12 rebels accused of participation in the assault on Khartoum where 200 were killed were sentenced to death by a Sudanese court. Government forces and the rebels continue to fight it out in Darfur.
Works Cited

Ahmadi, Niemat. “Written Testimony. ” 13 May 2009.15 June 2009
“Rhetoric Vs. Reality: The Situation in Darfur. ” Executive Summary. 15 June 2009 s
Agence France-Presse. “ICC Prosecutor urges Sudan to arrest Beshir. ” 08 June 2009 15 June 2009.
Reuters. “Sudan Court sentences 12 Darfur rebels to death. ” 09 June 2009 15 June 2009.