Darfur in Its Historical and Political Dimensions: Conflict, Humanitarian Crisis, International Intervention and the Prospects for Peace

Introduction
Darfur, an important part of the northern Sudanese state and one of the major problems of the African continent that still draws the attention of world public opinion, suffered a major humanitarian catastrophe at the beginning of the 21st century. Focusing on the general situation of the Darfur region, its cultural and political characteristics and its historical background, this study examines the internal and external factors that have led to disputes and conflicts in the region. It assesses the historical place of Darfur, which survived as a state until the beginning of the twentieth century. Darfur, whose population consists predominantly of non-Arab ethnic groups, has experienced problems with the policies of the governments that came to power in Sudan after independence. Investigating what these problems are and which dynamics have led to dispute and conflict, this study addresses the opposition movements and the government forces in Darfur and examines the extent to which the provisions of international humanitarian law and human rights instruments were violated in the conflict in Darfur, the grave, widespread and systematic crimes committed in Darfur under these instruments and the nature of these crimes, the problem of bringing those responsible to justice, and the developments that international intervention has brought about with regard to these crimes and the region. Discussing whether the crimes committed in Darfur amount to genocide, the study refers to the provisions of the Genocide Convention and to the decisions of international courts on the matter. The peace agreements concluded between the government and the opposition forces, the status of Darfur, the success of the peace agreements in terms of whether they will bring peace and security to Darfur, human rights violations in Darfur and the positions and approaches of the government and opposition groups in the region are discussed and assessed in the study.