Question

Based on what you know about the genocide in Darfur, what geographical factor MOST contributed to the start of the conflict?

a. A lack of international willingness to intervene
b. Governmental support for the policy of apartheid
c. Religious differences between Arabs and black Africans
d. The emergence of an ethnic Arab enclave
e. Declining land resources in the region

Answer 1

The genocide in Darfur that began in February 2003 was not a religious conflict, but was a result of years of racial or ethnic tension fueled by the declining resources in the region (E). Due to government neglect of non-Arabs and the handling over of resources and its control to Arabs, insurgent forces including the Justice Equality Movement (JEM)and Sudanese Liberation Army (SLA) rose in unity against the Sudanese government in Khartoum and fought against the government Arab militia (Janjaweed).

Answer 2

The correct option is E.
The two major groups of people who live in Darfur are black Africans and the Arabs. The black Africans are mostly farmers while the Arabs are livestock keepers. Conflicts between the African farmers and the Arab herders in Darfur first occurred in the 1980s, during the time there was drought and this caused famine. These two groups began to fight each other over usable lands as lands as become a very precious commodity. This problem continued until it developed to the full blown genocide that started in 2003.