By Natalie Stieler

Guest Writer from Mrs.Zechiel’s World History Class

 

Genocide in Darfur

In Southern Sudan, over two million Africans have been forced to flee from their homes and over one million have been raped or murdered by the Arab militia, known as the Janjaweed.

I believe that this is absolutely a genocide because the conflict involves the deliberate extermination and displacement of a particular racial group, in this case, the black Africans within Darfur.

The Janjaweed burn innocent people alive, destroy entire African villages, and use rape as a “tool of war” to inflict long-lasting fear and damage upon their victims. The Janjaweed have also brutally attacked people with axes, bombed villages with airstrikes, and castrated men to ensure that they cannot reproduce.

I believe that this conflict should be labeled as a genocide because the government of Sudan is heavily involved with the training, payment, and production of weapons for the vicious Arab military.  However, the Sudanese leaders deny any responsibility tied to the violence, and claim that the events do not constitute a genocide.

I also believe that the United States should aid the Africans in Sudan with military and humanitarian aid. The involvement of the U.S. army could make an extremely beneficial impact on the current conflict because of our advances in weapons and technology. Without our help, more and more helpless Africans will be slaughtered and raped in Darfur. We have the ability to make a difference, so we should.

The UN hasn’t recognized this violence as a genocide, but there is a plethora of evidence proving that it is, in fact, a genocide. The Arabs are targeting the black Africans and intentionally performing heinous acts of cruelty against them. The United States should get involved immediately, before these events escalate even further.