The Sudan Liberation Army

The Sudan Liberation Army (SLA) is a rebel army that is fighting a civil war against the Sudanese government (by extension, President Omar al-Bashir) and the Janjaweed militia. They are in the midst of a struggle that is now widely recognized as genocide perpetrated by the Janjaweed, which appears to be backed by the Sudanese government. The SLA hopes to free Sudan from a dictatorship and a government in which Darfur is not represented.

The Sudan Liberation Army was formed out of apparent necessity. Civil war has plagued Sudan for many years and the "non-Arab" tribes of Darfur have been left out of peace talks and bargaining. They have suffered famine, misplaced racial discord and displacement. The SLA took action against the Sudanese government in April of 2003. The attack took place in El Fasher, Darfur. The government seemingly responded with the Janjaweed.

The Janjaweed are nomadic "Arabs" of Darfur who became involved in the Darfur conflict in 2003. To hear it told, the fight is racial. The "Arabs" in Darfur believe they are superior to the "blacks" of "Africans" in Darfur. Darfur has long been inhabited by Africans and Arabs. They are so intermingled now that it is difficult to see any difference. Everyone who is native to Darfur is black and African. Furthermore, 70% of Sudan is Muslim. The only discernible difference between the Janjaweed and the Sudan Liberation Army is the fact that most of the Janjaweed are from nomadic tribes while most of the rebels are from farming tribes.

The Janjaweed are guilty of rampant rape, murder and terrorizing civilians. It is widely believed that they are funded and encouraged by the Sudanese government. The government denies this and has even said that civilians should defend themselves against them, but they do nothing to stop the Janjaweed and do much to stop foreign aid workers from entering Darfur. The Sudan Liberation Army and another rebel group-JEM-are the only protection the people of Darfur have against the Janjaweed. SLA Secretary-General Minni Arkou Minnawi (a former teacher) has stated "The objective of the SLA is to create a united democratic Sudan." The Janjaweed is very effectively keeping them from their goal.

The United Nations estimates that as many as 300,000 people have been killed during this conflict and 600,000 displaced. Those who are displaced are internally displaced in Darfur or refugees in neighboring countries. It seems that the Sudan Liberation Movements aggression against the Sudanese government is well placed. Omar al-Bashir is doing nothing to provide safe homes for the people of his country. Because of this, he is wanted for war crimes. Perhaps if the President of Sudan is imprisoned for his gross neglect (among other things) and the government is overthrown, the Sudan Liberation Army will be one step closer to getting what they want, but will it end the suffering in Darfur? One thing is for certain, it needs to end soon if Darfur is to come out of this conflict.

Sources

Plant, Martin, Who are Sudan's Darfur Rebels?, retrieved 10/5/10, new.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/africa/3702242.stm

Global Security, Military, retrieved 10/5/10, globalsecurity.org/military/world/para/darfur.htm

Sudan, retrieved 10/5/10, arabide/arabinfo/sudan.htm