Darfur must drive peace and stability

Trócaire believes that the people of Darfur must be placed in the driving seat in order to bring about peace and stability to the troubled region.

Violent conflict erupted in Darfur in late 2003 when rebel groups took up arms, accusing the Khartoum-based Sudanese Government of neglecting and marginalising the region. Khartoum responded to the revolt with massive force. The UN estimates that as many as 300,000 civilians may have died over the course of six years of active conflict.

The indictment of Sudanese President Omer al Bashir by the International Criminal Court (ICC) has contributed to political tensions both within Sudan and internationally.

Last March’s announcement that President al Bashir was subject to an arrest warrant on War Crimes and Crimes Against Humanity charges was rapidly followed by an announcement from the Government of Sudan that it was expelling 13 NGOs providing humanitarian assistance in Darfur.

Trócaire's life-saving programme was not affected and our essential activities are still ongoing. But the expulsion of some of the largest agencies working in Darfur left huge gaps in the global response.

Trócaire has worked in Darfur since 2004, and with the generous assistance of both Irish Aid and the Irish public, has spent €1.8million helping some of the more than two million people forced to flee their homes because of the conflict in the last four years alone.

Banditry is also a huge problem in Darfur.

Some of the banditry is thought to be undertaken by members of rebel groups and militia, while the rest is attributed to criminal elements exploiting the widespread insecurity and breakdown in law and order. In addition to its impact on the local population, the rise of general insecurity has made the delivery of humanitarian relief and services extremely difficult.

Trócaire believes that international aid agencies, the United Nations and the Sudanese government should all work to help local organisations to lead the aid effort themselves. By working with local partners, as well as a network of faith-based humanitarian organisations, Trócaire is helping the people of Darfur drive their own development.