Q and A on the Darfur conflict in Sudan

What is the conflict in Darfur, Sudan, all about?

It began early in 2003 after a group of people who didn't agree with the government started attacking government buildings.

These rebels say people in their area, called Darfur, is being neglected by the government.

They also say that Arabs are being treated better by the government than black Africans.

For many years there has been some tension between the two groups over land and rights to graze animals.

Also, Sudan as a whole has been at war with itself since 1956, apart from an 11-year period of peace from 1972-1983.

What's their government doing to help?

Sudanese refugee

The government in Sudan organised a horse or camel-mounted Arab emergency army mainly made up of ordinary people to tackle the rebels.

This army is called the Janjaweed.

The Janjaweed force often carries out attacks on villages and towns taken by rebels.

Human rights groups say this army - also know as a militia - sometimes kills and steals from the non-Arab people of Darfur.

The government says it still has control in the Darfur area but rebels deny this.

What has happened to people living in the area?

Refugee school children

Thousands of people have left their homes and the United Nations - a group which helps to stop fighting around the world - says around 300,000 people have been killed or died of disease during the troubles.

Around 2.5 million people have moved to Chad, the country next to Sudan, but many are camped along a 600km stretch of the border and face attacks.

They are also very short of food and shelter, and aid agencies want to get help to them.

What help are they getting?

United Nations logo

Refugee agencies and charities are flying in emergency aid to the border area of Sudan and Chad.

They are also looking to move the refugees to safety in camps further inland.

Charities want to bring in supplies by road. The government says this is safe but some people are worried the roads could be attacked.

Aid workers have said it's getting easier to get supplies to the people who need it, probably because other countries are insisting that these people must be helped.

Is anyone trying to stop the fighting?

Peace talks started up but didn't get off to a good start when some people didn't turn up to the opening ceremony.

The government says it is trying to disarm the Janjaweed, but the rebels say this isn't true.

The United Nations called for a force of 18,000 international peacekeepers to help in the region. However, Sudan sent 10,000 of its own soldiers to Darfur.

What is happening in 2007?

President Omar al-Bashir

In January, Sudan's president Omar al-Bashir agreed to stop the fighting for 60 days while the two groups work towards a lasting peace.

However, according to a group of people helping to end the fighting, called the Save Darfur Coalition, peace was broken weeks later when aircraft bombed people in Darfur.

In March, the United Nations called for urgent international action to protect people living in Darfur.

Charity Oxfam launched a campaign in April to raise £5m for people in need.