18 May 2007 - Witnessing the atrocities committed against Darfur's population on a daily basis, Action Against Hunger's teams are among those NGO's still present in this hard-hit province in Sudan. From its presence on the ground, the following can be concluded: as the conflict is spreading and the number of instigators of violence increases, an armed and non-negotiated intervention would seem dangerous. An intervention would most likely make an already bad situation even worse, triggering yet more violence. Somalia and Iraq have demonstrated this.
A complex context
The political situation in Darfur has become more complex over the past months, especially since the signing of the Abuja peace deal in 2006. Rebel groups, both those that signed the peace agreement and those who did not, have split into multiple factions and formed new rebel movements. Numerous sub-factions are arising as the conflict splinters. Heavy fighting between various groups is recurrent with frequent attacks on civilians common practice among all factions. Humanitarian workers have also been directly targeted. Some experts are comparing the situation to Somalia, which should alarm those in favor of an intervention without negotiation and prior agreement.
Priority to negotiation of peace force
Action Against Hunger calls for mediations to find a viable political solution to the situation. The negotiation of an accord only supported by some rebel factions -as was the case in Abuja last year- is unsatisfactory. In this case the desire to offer an attractive deal to the international community at all costs led to the terrible situation faced today by the local population and the humanitarian organisations supporting them. Applying pressure is an option; sanctions outlined in certain resolutions approved by the United Nations Security Council need to be enforced to allow for respect of humanitarian law and the protection of civilians. The Sudanese government opened a door on Monday, 16 April, by accepting the second phase of a UN plan to deploy 3,000 troops to support those from the African Union. For us as humanitarians, the real issue is to negotiate the deployment of a peace force able to bring security to Darfur.
2.5 million people depending on humanitarian assistance
The provision of humanitarian assistance to Darfur since the beginning of the conflict has prevented a genuine disaster. 2.5 million out of a population of 6 million people have been displaced. They are surviving in vast camps, completely dependent on humanitarian assistance, with humanitarian agencies treating malnutrition, taking care of the sick and providing food and water. The main concerns for humanitarian organisations are the many regions that are not accessible due to the insecurity as well as ongoing population displacements. No NGO can accept such a situation and would not want to see another tragedy as South Sudan had to endure for more than 20 years.
However, trying to respond to this crisis by means of a non-negotiated intervention could have disastrous consequences, risking triggering even more violence and jeopardising the provision of vital humanitarian assistance to millions of people. The anarchic and tragic situation in Iraq and Somalia provide a sad example of this.
ENDS
Action Against Hunger is an international humanitarian organisation, working in 43 of the world's poorest countries. Its vocation is to save lives, especially those of malnourished children, and to work with vulnerable populations to preserve and restore their livelihoods with dignity.
[ Any views expressed in this article are those of the writer and not of Reuters. ]
