Over the past 15 years in Darfur, Sudan, over 400,000 civilians have been killed and 2.5 million people displaced due to genocide against non-Arab populations. The Sudanese government has supported Arab militias in killing and carrying out acts of violence and sexual slavery against civilians. Despite resources like oil, Sudan has high poverty and a repressive government. The conflict began in 2003 when rebel groups rose up against government neglect of the region and arming of militias. Various attempts have been made at peace agreements and intervention, but violence continues.

1. darfur ...genocide in the 21st century jess nealis and madeline price

2. Over the past five years, over 400,000 Darfurian civilians have been killed. 150,000 people have died directly from acts of violence in Darfur. 80 infants die each day in Darfur due to a lack of proper nutrition 97% of these killings have been against innocent civilians and executed by militia groups instructed by the government. 80% of those displaced are women and young girls who are consistently the victims of sexual violence and abducted into sexual slavery 250,000 people have fled Darfur, mainly to Chad where they are facing further violence. Despite an abundance of oil and other natural resources, the vast majority of Sudan’s people live in poverty, and its Government has been described as ‘the most repressive regime in the world’.

3. what is genocide? The deliberate and systematic destruction, in whole or in part, of an ethnic, racial, religious, or national group such as… Killing members of the group Causing serious bodily or mental harm to members of the group Deliberately inflicting on the group conditions of life calculated to bring about its physical destruction in whole or in part Imposing measures intended to prevent births within the group Forcibly transferring children of the group to another group. This term didn’t exist before 1944

4. has this happened in the past? Nazi Occupied Europe 1941-1945: Genocide of Jews ( Shoah/Holocaust ) East Pakistan 1971: Genocide in East Bengal Cambodia 1975-1979: Khmer Rouge "Killing Fields"and Genocide Guatemala 1981-83: Genocide in the Maya Highlands Iraq 1987-88: Anfal Campaign in Kurdistan Rwanda 1994: Akazu "Hutu Power" Genocide of Tutsis

5. where is darfur? Darfur is in Sudan, Africa

6. timeline February 2003 - Two rebel groups rise up, saying government neglects arid region and arms Arab militia against civilians April 8, 2004 - Government, Sudan Liberation Army (SLA) and Justice and Equality Movement (JEM) rebels agree ceasefire May 5, 2006 - Sudan's government and one SLA faction sign new peace deal. Rival SLA faction and JEM reject the deal. Aug 1, 2007 - The U.N. Security Council authorizes 26,000 troops and police for Darfur's hybrid mission and approves the use of force to protect civilians. May 10, 2008 - JEM rebels make a lightning attack that reaches outskirts of Khartoum

7. October 21, 2008 - United Nations says up to 300,000 people have died in Darfur and some 2.5 million have fled their homes since 2003. February 16, 2009 - Sudan and JEM agree on confidence-building measures at talks in Qatar -- a step that may eventually lead to negotiations on a peace deal. August 27, 2009 - Darfur is no longer in a state of war and only has one rebel group capable of mounting limited military campaigns, Martin Luther Agwai, outgoing head of UNAMID, says. The statement is quickly dismissed by Darfur insurgents. February 20, 2010 - JEM leader Khalil Ibrahim and Sudanese officials sign an initial framework agreement in Chad which also includes a ceasefire, plans to integrate JEM into Sudan's army and a promise to reach a final peace deal by March 15. February 23, 210 - JEM rebels say they were attacked by government forces two days after signing a ceasefire deal with Sudan. Sudan's army denies the attack.

8. why this will be in a textbook? This conflict between these two Arab groups has not received enough attention as it should have. This genocide is really occurring and over 400,000 people have died due to this. We should learn about this so that it doesn’t happen again. More people should know that even in the 21 st century things like this can and do happen, and that genocide is not just a part of the past.