Darfur crisis: Who is to blame?

Chad has blamed divided leadership within one of the rebel groups in Sudan's Darfur region for the breakdown in talks with the Sudanese government.

The neighbouring country is host to some 200,000 refugees from Darfur and has been mediating in talks between the two sides.

This support for the Sudan government is likely to please them as they are under increasing pressure to stop the fighting. A new United Nations' resolution threatens to impose sanctions.

Is Chad right to blame divided leadership within the Justice and Equality Movement (Jem) rebel group for the breakdown in negotiations? What can be done to bring peace to Darfur? Are sanctions the answer?

This debate is now closed. Read a selection of your comments below.

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Your comments:

Partial action may temporarily stop the ongoing savagery Taeeb Kamal, Khartoum, Sudan

For over fifteen years the Sudanese people at large have been victimized by the NIF ruthless regime. Unfortunately, some of today's victims were actively involved in inflicting untold miseries on their own fellow Sudanese folks. May I remind all concerned about Darfur that partial action may temporarily stop the ongoing savagery. But be ready for another to emerge soon if the overall situation stays the same. There is no further likelihood of the old wine in a new bottle again.
Taeeb Kamal, Khartoum, Sudan

This agreement will not bring peace to Sudan because the government is not serious. I think economic sanctions will work.
Mogeeb Elrahman Abdallah, Khartoum, Sudan

It seems that human suffering is no longer a requirement for intervention, there must also be a political (i.e. more power) or a financial gain to be had.
Derek, Virginia, USA

In my opinion the Sudanese government is not capable of resolving the issue, had it been capable, the situation would not have escalated to the point where it is now. With each passing day, helpless people are dying in Darfur, while the debate rages in the developed nations as to how to deal with the crisis. I think it's about time that some concrete action is taken by the UN, for the sake of the few remaining innocent lives at stake in Darfur, otherwise it might just be too late!
DA, Kansas City, US

The government of Sudan is fuelling the Dafur crisis in order to down play the peace agreement it had signed with the SPLA. And they are buying time for the outcome of the American elections. But Bashir should be reminded that it not only Bush who wanted the problem of the South solved, the issue is already with the Congress. No matter which president comes to power, the congress will see to it that the problem is solved.
Hillary Taban, Telford, UK.

The UN is impotent and the only resolution will be when Darfur is completely subjugated James Romin, Portland

People being murdered, raped, and disappearing in Sudan requires intervention. When the same thing was happening in Iraq before the US and others invaded it was acceptable. We in the USA are accused of having double standards. Here is another. Of course the UN should intervene and it should have done so faster, but the UN is impotent and the only resolution will be when Darfur is completely subjugated.
James Romin, Portland, OR

I was in the Security Council the other morning when they talked about Sudan. The UN desperately wants to do something. They are totally committed to the people of Darfur. But as always, it will come down to Member States putting their money where their mouths are. If people really want to help the Sudanese, they should write to their own governments and demand they contribute resources to the peacekeeping effort. Otherwise the UN will be helpless once again.
Jessie, New York, USA

If the West justifies its invasion of the Middle East with rhetoric about crushing dictators and saving lives, then surely the same rules should be applied towards the Sudan, or, is there not enough oil in that country to warrant the loss of more American lives?
Phill Henderson, Dumfries, Scotland

We need a non-European/US international army coalition to protect the Africans there. Maybe countries like India, Indonesia, South Africa, Pakistan etc could help.
Matthew Freedman, Israel (ex UK)

Kofi Annan declared the Iraqi war illegal. The Darfur crisis illustrates how things go when the UN act legally.
John, Switzerland

It is worth pointing out that there have been atrocities committed by the Darfur rebels as well, even to their own people. This conflict began with rebels attacking government institutions. It reminds me of Colombia. This is a mess I don't want to touch with a ten foot pole. Thank God for the UN, which will ensure that doesn't happen but will assuage that itch in our conscience.
John, UK

African Union peacekeepers are not prepared for this job. Why not just remove the UN forces that are in the border areas between Ethiopia and Eritrea and send them to Darfur to protect the woman and the children. Too much money is wasted in that area and it's not really needed when compared to Darfur.
Tedla Asfaw, Flushing, NY

At the very least we should not have forgotten the lessons of Rwanda which taught the world that genocide demands a rapid response John Mac Acuek Mac, Sudan

The UN has weakly condemned the Sudanese NIF Government as petty international diplomats who argue over whether or not the racially provoked slaughter of thousands of Sudanese African is genocide. This make me wonder if the world still holds it promise made after the Holocaust that this would never happen again and at the very least we should not have forgotten the lessons of Rwanda which taught the world that genocide demands a rapid response. The present situation demonstrates the ineffectuality of international organisations such as the UN which has been unable to prevent or stop any of the genocide crises of the past 50 years. Regretfully the US lacks the willpower, with a lack of international support to intervene unilaterally, leaving the Sudanese government and Janjaweed free to ravage Darfur.
John Mac Acuek Mac, Upper Nile, Sudan

How many UN "officials" have to visit Sudan before something concrete is done about the crisis?
Sidd, Toronto, Canada

Sudanese government has for failed to implement its commitments for decades. So we cannot count on it until the implementation takes place. Why does the ambassador think the rebels got the wrong message if his government has no control over the Janjaweed militia? And why is he interpreting on behalf of the rebels?
Jimmy Morchinkegem, Sudanese in the US

Darfurians are the one sufferings and it's time the world come together for once and take action, not tomorrow but now, against the junta regime of Sudan by removing and setting up a government of reconciliation. If not, Sudan under the watchful eyes of UN and everyone else would turn up to be another Afghanistan and Rwanda.
Nosa Edokpayi, London, UK

The UN used the same excuse for inaction in Rwanda: about three months after the killing started they launched an investigation into whether or not it could legally be considered "genocide". Finally, when almost a million had died, the French (not the UN) went in to tidy up. If the people of Darfur are relying on the UN to help them I'm afraid they are doomed.
Paul, London

We are getting sick of hearing about peace over the years which has not been implemented Mayom, Kongor, Sudan

I am appealing to western countries over the continuous crisis in Sudan in general. Sudan will never be in peace without intervention by the West. We are getting sick of hearing about peace over the years which has not been implemented. We are always surviving through the barrel of a gun. I have decided to join the Darfur rebels. This is just propaganda peace. May God help the people of southern Sudan.
Mayom B Pager, Kongor, Sudan

The UN won't do anything. The solution is to outlaw Islam and the maybe visualize world peace.
Mihai, Baghdad, Iraq

As a South African myself, I would think that leaving anything for the AU is simply nonsense. Our president Thabo Mbeki is way too busy recognizing a separatist group in Morocco, pushing to a possibility of a war between the neighbouring countries Morocco and Algeria (the separatist group is supported militarily and diplomatically by neighbouring Algeria). If you want to change the image of Africa Mr Mbeki and Mr Bouteflika (the president of Algeria) then worry about people that die of hunger and war before worrying about a group simply disputing Morocco's historical right to a land despite Morocco not causing any discrimination or any harm to its people. Unlike Sudan, Morocco is a model for tolerance, women's rights, peace and openness to the Muslim world but we still don't do anything about Sudan. The African Union is totally useless.
Natalie Ellis, NYC

This has all happened before! The big boys just hem and haw and make sanctions while the natives get wiped out. I understand now that the Sudanese government has the very murderers supposedly guarding them. All we have to do is turn our back for a month and it should be all over.
David, Portland, USA

Why the hell are we in Iraq and not Sudan? We should be there in force as the United Nations stopping this atrocity. Did we learn nothing from Rwanda? Evidently not!
Bill Pellett, Brighton

When will people realise that short term aid programmes solve nothing. Maybe the time has come to accept that there is little that can be done that is significant in places like the Sudan. Just let them get on with it. Eventually a degree of stability will be gained, albeit at great human cost.
J van Allen, London, UK

I can only be sure of one thing: if the international community does not wake up and take action any time soon, they will have closed their eyes for yet another unspoken genocide.
Mirella, Greece

This one needs to be handled very carefully. A UN response needs to be a swift and decisive one - not half-hearted and lumbering, like some peacekeeping missions in the past. The Janjaweed need to be either eliminated or at least severely curtailed before any sort of humanitarian mission can be properly carried out.
Martin, Failsworth, England

The roots of the problem lie in the Arab-dominated government in Khartoum that are not ready to accept the right of non-Arabs to self-determination. The black population in Darfur has the same right to self-determination and eventual sovereignty as the Palestinians, the Kurds in Iraq and any other national group that wishes it.
Shlomo Avineri, Jerusalem

As an ethnic minority within my own ancestral land, I am grieved for the Sudanese. I doubt that in my lifetime I will ever see a selfless act of goodness and protection from a more powerful national government for a weaker one. The UN has not a system in place to deal with such aggressive evil. We had better resort to old testament days where they take an eye for an eye.
Peter Swanson, Korolevu, Fiji

As a Sudanese myself, I feel sorry for the Darfur people since they found out the hard way what some of us Sudanese have been fighting for and against for the past two decades. If I could reach the Darfur people and tell them something it would be that the Sudan government and it so called allies (the Janjaweed) are the invaders and not the UN peacekeeping force. In addition, the Darfur people need to wake up. Then again, if Sudan was an Arab country as so claimed then where are the Arabs or their UN peacekeeping force to come and aid a fellow Arab country or are we just lying to ourselves that we are Arabs after all?
Hala Nyete, Phoenix, Arizona

Sudanese government can agree to anything, just to buy their time, not to fulfil their obligation Atem, Sudanese in USA

Sudanese government can agree to anything, just to buy their time, not to fulfil their obligation. I wonder who will expect Khartoum to solve the crisis in Darfur? When Khartoum itself is the problem in Darfur? I don't see why UN still trusts this regime, when it failed to comply with the UN 30 day resolution deadline in July. I think it's time for UN now to decide whether to turn away and leave it up to the Africa Union to decide to intervene or step a side, and watch the population of Darfur get wiped out. If UN is really willing to help people of Darfur, it Security Council needs to act now, by taking positive measures, either way, but I purpose military intervention, as the best way to protect lives. On the other hand oil sanctions could be implemented as soon as possible as they may do some damage to Khartoum, since it's their source to finance the war (in the entire country).
Atem Mator, Sudanese in USA

Resolve is not closer. Immediate sanctions and UN armed troops need to be sent today. As is the want of all murderous regimes: talk but don't comply. Each hour means the death of innocents.
Philip O'Donnell, Auckland, New Zealand

I think what Sudan needs is not war. The UN should discuss what should be done with the Janjaweeds before taking any resolutions. Or else innocent lives will go like in Iraq.
Akpey Kodjo, Stockholm, Sweden

Even if there is a resolution, it will be of little consequence. Major powers do not have the will to intervene in Sudan for any real resolution to the crisis.
Nathan, Dallas, TX

No doubt our hearts go out to these people but it will not protect them and it will not feed them. Action has to be taken quickly to protect and feed these people. I wonder if this was not a poor African country would the UN have acted with more haste. Every life is valuable it seems as though the UN, as well as the media, does not treat all life equally as important.
Aimee, Texas, USA

The Sudan government is undemocratic and therefore, it must be dealt with in an undemocratic manner William Wani, Canada

I am a Sudanese studying in Canada, Vancouver. The Sudan government is undemocratic and therefore, it must be dealt with in an undemocratic manner. I may not support sanction against my country but military intervention in order to remove the fundamentalist Islamic regime in Khartoum. Many people have died in the South and now in Darfur. I wish I were the UN Secretary General!
William Wani, Vancouver, Canada

Sanctions mean nothing to the killers. At this point, one has to question whether the UN is just waiting this situation out as it did with Rwanda. Sooner rather than later, the Janjaweed's mission will be accomplished and within a few months the world be focusing elsewhere. Africa has never been a high priority for the UN.
Anthony, USA

The UN Security Council should continue to vote on draft resolutions until the very last person in Darfur has been killed by the Janjaweed militia. In the absence of this, immediate action is required.
Emmanuel Wembenyui, Brisbane, Australia

The UN is spineless and weak. The only language these Arab militias understand is crushing force. These UN measures will not, at the end of the day, mean a thing and the murder will continue. One only has to look at the tragedy of Rwanda to see how truly useless the UN really is.
Richard Murphy, Australia

Imposition of sanctions in Sudan will make the people suffer the more, rather an international peacekeeping mission should be sent there and the UN should provide money and aid to the people of Sudan and the Security Council should look for better ways of solving the problems rather than complicating it .
Odofa, Hong Kong

The atrocities in Liberia under Charles Taylor continued relentlessly despite the so-called sanctions, and the same was with the late General Sani Abacha Takawira Dururu, Zimbabwe

Sanctions have proved to be ineffective in solving any crisis in Africa. The atrocities in Liberia under Charles Taylor continued relentlessly despite the so-called sanctions, and the same was with the late General Sani Abacha. So what is desirable in Sudan is a United Nations led peacekeeping force with power to deal with any resistance that might hinder the peace process.
Takawira Dururu, Harare, Zimbabwe

The UN Security Council have lost track to force the Sudanese government to comply with resolutions. Using force is the only alternative to disarm the militia and restore peace in Sudan.
Stephen Okot, Darwin, Australia

I think the whole world knows that Sudan is not serious about the security or safety of those who are not Arabs. A proper government would have taken the first step when the first person was killed on the grounds in question. Instead of dealing with the problem they speak of the number of people killed. It will be another Iraq. Rebels must disarm amongst many other useless issues. The point is that those who committed the acts of genocide or acts that are analogous to it must be brought to justice. This is a human rights violation. We have to act now. When Sudan protected Bin Laden we did not act and guess what innocent lives suffered.
Eddie Sibiya, Durban, South Africa

Imposing sanctions means depriving the civilians the right to live because it's only the ordinary people that will be impacted by this. The cardinal thing the UN and AU leaders need to do immediately is to send in troops who will disarm the Janjaweed militia. This in my view will not only alleviate the problem but will also reduce the number of civilians who are dying because of that conflict. Waiting for the Sudanese government to take action may escalate the problem to genocide like the one of Rwanda in 1994.
Edwin Nyella

If we end their funding we will weaken them Richard Garcia, Cali, Colombia

All terrorists should be given a country to rule in somewhere in the world and see how long they last on their own. The poor imbeciles don't have an inkling on how to rule a country nonetheless know how to support one, that is why they need to destroy what others have built. We should to look into all who fund the terrorists and big time sanction and imprisonment. If we end their funding we will weaken them.
Richard Garcia, Cali, Colombia

The fact that this topic is open once again is shameful. Can the UN for once not have the courage to stand up to its own convictions? If they don't, then what, I have to ask, is the UN in operation for?
Paul, Toronto, Canada

What is happening in Sudan is quite disturbing, Muslim world has kept quiet and is doing nothing about it. If the US intervenes, they will be accused of interfering.
Raymond Ghartey, Kumasi, Ghana

The UN is a paper tiger without the military might of the US/UK doing the dirty work. It is time someone else helped. I wish the USA would step in.
Mike Dreisbach, Kentucky, USA

Rebels in Africa are the creation of the West Yussuf Dayib, Kenya, Nairobi

Yes, yes! Sudan government should be given time to solve the crisis. UN sanctions is not a solution to the Darfur crisis. Rebels in Africa are the creation of the West. The UN and US should stop hijacking the Darfur crisis as the US is only after western Sudan's oil. These days there's no distinction between the UN and the US. Let the Sudanese people live in peace in the West and South.
Yussuf Dayib, Kenya, Nairobi

The UN like its predecessor, the League of Nations, has totally failed. This has reconfirmed the inability of world leaders to bring relative peace to this trouble world of ours. Indeed, man has dominated man to his injury.
Solomon Oppong, Accra, Ghana

The UN sometimes behaves as a talking shop. Always passing resolutions and slow when it comes to taking action. We are not just talking about numbers in the Darfur region; these are precious lives being lost. In such moments a prompt action may be better than consensus. We know people are being killed. We are not hunting for WMD. So why procrastinate? UN act now or disband yourself.
Ernest, Lusaka, Zambia

Potential sanctions against Sudan concerns me because it will not only affect the Khartoum Government. It will make it worse for the people of Darfur. I don't think that Sudan will do anything differently unless the International Community opens its eyes and reviews the Sudan file for the last twenty one years of the war in south Sudan. The same Janjaweed and other government militias called Goat El Sadiq has been killing people in south. Janjaweed used to be called El Marhalin in the South-North war. Now they are called Janjaweed and next they will be call Home land defence in east Sudan. The peace in the south now is pending with Khartoum's government calculation that if the current UA White House is defeated in upcoming election, the Sudan Government and Janjaweed will clean up Darfur and start the war with the south. This potential sanction is going to make it worse for Darfur people. I would suggest that the UN should do more than that.
Angelo, USA

If anyone comes near Sudan, we (the Sudanese) will defend our country against any invader. The western countries are trying to get rid of the Islamic regime in Khartoum, but that won't be easy. If Iraq opened one gate of hell for the West, we will open seven of its gates. We will not surrender this country. What about the Israelis, what will force them to execute UN resolutions? Or is that the double standards you usually use when you deal with a Muslim country?
Ali Osman, Sudan

Does the situation in Sudan sound similar? Hasn't the UN learnt anything from Iraq? Sanctions do not help! And what on earth are the Arab and Muslim nations doing now? Fast asleep and as usual distracted. They were distracted with the Palestinians when Iraq needed help, and now they are distracted with Iraq. Soon a western nation will attack to help and liberate the Darfurians, and then these countries will talk about how it is another attack on a Muslim country! Didn't Annan say in Rwanda this year; "never again"? So what on earth is stopping him from solving the Darfur crisis now? If Africans cannot help and assist their own people, how can they expect the world to care for their plight?
Joe Gomes, Auckland, New Zealand

Declaring Darfur a genocide and calling for sanctions hasn't made any difference Nimco Mahamud Hassan, Boston

Declaring Darfur a genocide and calling for sanctions hasn't made any difference: the solution has to be a political one that includes all parties in a power-sharing agreement with a fair deal for the people of Darfur (non-Arabs and Arabs alike). This means disarming the Janjaweed militia now, and then getting to grips with all the deep social and economic problems of the region. The government and rebels know this now, but it looks as though they will fight and talk for a year or more before making a real peace. Why not cut the deal now and spare the people of Darfur all that hunger and death in the meantime?
Nimco Mahamud Hassan, Boston, USA

The African Union monitoring force is a 100% fiasco in making - it's just another rogue militia under a slime disguise. Either the civilised world has the guts to get in and to do the right job, or it hasn't - and then should stop pretending that it cares about the Sudan situation.
Serge Isaac Barou, Wellington, New Zealand

Stop the western world selling arms to people who either can't really afford them anyway or certainly don't need them.
Jon, London, UK

No language should be seen as too rude to that government. Let us take action and prevent more deaths during the week, of those who probably never voted for that government.
Max Bweupe, Lusaka, Zambia

The problem has an obvious solution. Disarm the rebels JEM (which I believe has links with al-Qaeda), SLM/SLA and the Janjaweed at the same time. It is double standard from the West to try to disarm only one group and let others carry weapons. Sudan has a massive potential to be one of the leading black nations.
Kuku Abdul-Rassa', Sudanese in the UK

Sanctions only work against democracies; dictators don't care if their people starve. Just take Castro, Kim-Il, and Hussein for examples. Military action is the only option, but with the UK and USA tied down in Iraq, the people of Darfur will continue to be slaughtered for quite some time. Then again, I do seem to remember the French and German armies being free at the moment, perhaps they could do something.
Brent, Philadelphia, USA

Report on it again and again. Add pictures so that world opinion will be won. Even Saddam Hussein stopped poison gassing Kurds after pictures got out.
Shosh, Haifa

The world should take a stand in uniting each other so that we can build a solid wall in fighting for human rights which are being violated Khabiso Nkune, Maseru, Lesotho

I am 20-years-old and I don't know much about political fights and religions but I believe that us as the world should take a stand in uniting each other so that we can build a solid wall in fighting for human rights which are being violated. I live in Africa and it breaks my heart to see other fellow Africans drying because of selfishness of their leaders. I plea to UN to send peacekeeping troops to Sudan - human lives are at risk of starvation, never mind children dying everyday.
Khabiso Nkune, Maseru, Lesotho

UN should take quick action as per its constitution against Sudan's government. So far as I see the situation; I can say "it is almost genocide by Sudanese government to its own people".
Kazi Firoz, Kosce, Slovakia

If the UN is to maintain its relevance, then it should pass a binding resolution to have a permanent peace keeping force ready for all humanitarian operations. All member states should contribute to this peace keeping force and the force should be deployed with a majority vote of all the member states with no veto powers to any particular country (as is the case with the Security council today). This will bypass the endless negotiations and resolutions and action will be taken when it is needed.
Vinay Chitnis, Pune, India

I would like to see the Islamic nations take some leadership role along with the AU. Governments could apply pressure on the Sudanese government and provide money and aid. It would put responsibility on their shoulders and undercut the "conspiracy theorists". As for the UN - what a useless organization!
JS, Edmonton, Canada

Let willing nations, willing to sacrifice lives and treasure provide real help. Michael Chittum, San Francisco, USA

The world has already responded, again attempting to talk genocide away. It never works and it won't this time. The "world" thinks the UN can fix any situation but, how can such a self indulgent, bloated institution ever get past it's entitlement-centric thinking to settle anything? The UN should go back to helping farmers. Let willing nations, willing to sacrifice lives and treasure provide real help. But then again, that's how it always ends up, right?
Michael Chittum, San Francisco, USA

I have researched this topic a great deal, and all my evidence points to the Janjaweed as being government backed. If the UN does not impose sanctions such as an oil embargo, or send troops, thousands or possibly hundreds of thousands more Darfurians will die.
John Baker, USA

Sudan's government will never disarm the Janjaweed because if it tried they will disclose the game and top leaders in Khartoum will be implicated. The victims know who did what.
Yahya Adam, Sudan

Immediate action to neutralise the Sudanese armed forces and militias is very well needed. It is appalling to see how slow the world reacts on this disaster. It was the same in Bosnia and Rwanda. Let's go in there without waiting for the UN, if or when it finally will decide what to do. Genocide and other crimes must not be tolerated anymore.
Jan Andersson, Stockholm, Sweden

Look at the effect sanctions had on Saddam's Iraq. All they did was make the ordinary people even poorer. The UN should be threatening military force, not oil sanctions.
Joe, Birmingham, England

I think the Islamic community should respond with overwhelming humanitarian aid Paul, Gainesville, Florida, USA

Well it is obvious that the way the UN is approaching the matter isn't working at all! I think the Islamic community should respond with overwhelming humanitarian aid for the refugees and equally strong military action against the government of Sudan!
Paul, Gainesville, Florida, USA

I strongly disagree against sanctions on Sudan because the current government and its friendly countries will use them as a scapegoat to loot all the country's resources to enrich themselves, then the long suffering of defenceless Sudanese citizens will continue. The enlargement of African Union contingents in the region and setting up the UN monitoring team are the only ways to end the Darfur crisis. Finally, all aid agencies must work hard to get enough funds from donors to make sure adequate food is sent to the needy both in Darfur and Chad.
Peter Tuach, Sudanese, Minnesota, USA

By refusing to do anything to halt the genocide in Sudan, the UN has proven it has gone the way of the League of Nations. The organisation has proven that it is irrelevant in the modern world.
Richard T. Ketchum, USA

The number of lives lost because of the UN's dithering was in the millions last decade. Sanctions will only aggravate conditions for the victims of this genocide. Their only hope is swift military action against those responsible.
James, Buffalo, USA

The slow process of politics is not going to save lives. The people need protection from militiamen so why is the UN so slow to act?
Lindsey, London, England

The Sudanese government should be declared unfit to rule by the Security Council and Sudan taken temporarily under UN administration. With full military assault if needed.
Istvan Hunanui, Chisinau, Moldova

Clearly if just 200 million dollars were pulled from the huge amount currently ineffectively used for the "stabilisation" of Iraq it could be better used for humanitarian aid in the Darfur region. If Bush orders this, it might help show that the US is sincerely trying to work with world organisations for the common good.
Dale Lanan, Longmont, Colorado, USA