Darfur in Crisis Quiz: Answer Key
1. More than ___ civilians have been displaced in Darfur and eastern Chad since the conflict began.
A. 300,000
B. 30 millon
C. 2.5 million
D. 250,000
C. 2.5 million. Attacks on civilians remain common both within Darfur and in Eastern Chad. Individuals and families are at constant risk of attack, sexual assault, and further displacement.
2. The Sudanese government:
A. …has taken measures that have improved security for civilians in Darfur and eastern Chad.
B. …has funded and supported the Janjawid militias that have been responsible for many of the crimes against civilians since 2003.
C. …has disarmed Janjawid militias to prevent attacks against civilians in Darfur and eastern Chad.
D. None of the above.
B. …has funded and supported the Janjawid militias that have been responsible for many of the crimes against civilians since 2003.
3. True or False: Civilians in Darfur and eastern Chad are also at risk of attack by rebel groups in Darfur.
True. In addition to being subject to attacks by the Janjawid militia, civilians in Darfur are also under threat from Darfur rebel groups. Amnesty International has documented patterns of human rights abuses against civilians, especially by the SLA-Minawi faction, the only rebel group to have signed the Darfur Peace Agreement. This faction is operating with the support of the government.
4. Since the signing of the Darfur Peace Agreement in 2006, violence in Darfur and eastern Chad has:
A. …decreased.
B. …increased.
C. …stayed the same.
D. …completely stopped.
B. …increased. Although the presence of the African Union Mission in Sudan, or “AMIS,” has prevented some abuses, violence has actually increased on a wide scale since the signing of the Darfur Peace Agreement in May 2006. This increase demonstrates the urgent need for a U.N. peacekeeping force to be deployed immediately.
5. True or False: The Sudanese government continues to block the transition from the African Union Mission in Sudan to a U.N. peacekeeping force.
True. The violence in Darfur highlights the failure to protect civilians by the African Union peacekeeping force in the region. Civilians, most political parties, the armed opposition and the African Union itself are all calling for the African Union force to be replaced by U.N. peacekeepers. Yet Sudanese President Lieutenant-General Omar al-Bashir has fiercely opposed this move. African Union peacekeepers, even if they stay in Darfur, are too few to be effective.
6. True or False: U.S. pressure on the Sudanese government is an important way to ensure that U.N. peacekeepers are allowed on the ground in Darfur.
True. Strong pressure from the United States government and other countries can have a positive impact on Sudan’s decision regarding U.N. peacekeepers. It is vitally important that a U.N. peacekeeping operation be deployed immediately with sufficient size and mandate to protect civilians in Darfur. Your help in encouraging the U.S. government to take action is crucial.
