Two recent developments provide hope that peace will come to Sudan, although many problems still lie ahead.
On Sunday, at an international summit to push peace in the Darfur region, the Sudanese government agreed to meet rebel groups that have so far refused to join peace talks. If the meet does in fact take place, it will be an important step towards re-starting peace negotiations that stalled last year following the unpopular Darfur peace agreement. The non-signatories to that agreement will meet the first week of August to prepare a unified position for talks with the government in late August or early September. Negotiations will be tough, with agreements needed on how much to compensate families driven from their land, how to protect them when they return home, and how to disarm the militias.
In another positive development, a huge underground lake has been found in the Darfur region, prompting many scientists to claim that it may help end the conflict in the arid region. Boston University researchers discovered the lake and plan on drilling 1,000 wells in the region. Many analysts say competition for resources between Darfur’s Arab nomads and black African farmers is a big force behind the conflict. The director for Boston University’s Center for Remote Sensing, Farouk El-Baz, said that “access to fresh water is essential for refugee survival, will help the peace process, and provides the necessary resources for the much needed economic development in Darfur.” The lake was discovered using radar data, and it is believed to be the size of Lake Erie – the 10th largest lake in the world.
However, a draft Security Council resolution to authorize the deployment of a joint UN-AU peace-keeping force in Darfur has been opposed by Sudan and South Africa. The objection is over a sanctions clause in the resolution. Sudan’s Ambassador to the UN said the resolution should be more Sudan-friendly and drop the “irrelevant and alien issues” such as the threat of sanctions. Last month, the Sudanese government agreed to allow the hybrid force into the region. UN Secretary General Ban Ki-moon has urged the Security Council to approve a draft resolution to get the approved peacekeeping force on the ground as soon as possible. UN reports have stated that security on the ground is deteriorating, with a rise in attacks on aid workers and peacekeepers. The hope is to get forces on the ground by September or October, in order to help the small AU force that is failing to stop the violence. Since the start of the Sudan conflict, 200,000 people have died and more than 2 million have been displaced.
For more information, please see:
AllAfrica – Darfur Resolution Opposed – 18 July 2007
BBC – Water Find ‘May End Darfur War’ – 18 July 2007
Washington Post – Scientists Find Lake Remnants in Sudan – 17 July 2007
LA Times – Sudan Agrees to Meet with Rebels – 16 July 2007
