•What is the conflict about?

The immediate cause is often traced to climate change that brought about the desertification of the region. Consequently, Arab nomadic tribes travelled south in search of water and grazing lands, encroaching on the lands of the Fur, Zagawa and Masalit tribes that are mainly African and agriculturists. It soon took on an ethnic dimension of an African-Arab conflict, with the nomadic Arab tribes getting the support of the Sudanese government in their struggle against the African tribes. Rebellion broke out in February 2003 when two Darfur groups, the Justice and Equality Movement (Zagawa-backed)and the Sudan Liberation Movement (mainly comprising Fur and Masalit tribals), accused the government of opressing non-Arabs.

•How did the government react?

The Sudanese government used its army to suppress the rebellion. It also armed the Janjaweed and organised joint operations against the Fur, Masalit and Zagawa tribes. The government has also been accused of suppressing information and killing or jailing witnesses. Sudan has been reluctant to allow UN-mandated foreign peackeeping troops on its soil, though it has allowed a joint UN-African Union Mission to help protect civilians.