Hoping for the Worst

The current state of Darfur has sunken into such a quagmire that it often leaves one hoping for the worst. The Darfur Peace Agreement (DPA) was signed May 5th, 2006. At the time many thought it was a serious step in the direction of peace, but a closer look would have revealed it as an ill conceived plan forced through by powers who wanted a quick solution. Eight months later we are left with the broken pieces of a peace treaty that was doomed to failure. The rebel groups have splintered into a million fractions, each fighting for position and power amongst themselves. The GoS continues to use the DPA as a type of shield to defend itself from all international condemnation concerning Darfur. Throughout all of this people continue to die and more families are displaced into huge IDP camps.

Yet as bad as all of this sounds, it is just clam enough to prevent any real change. Tensions remain high throughout the region and conflicts erupt in various parts of Darfur, yet more and more they become the common place theme here in Sudan. With out a unified force the rebel groups have no chance of achieving any type of real victory. Each group simply tries to seize power in what ever small corner they can control. Mean while the GoS continues to prove its brilliance against international pressure. No UN troops are on the ground, the AU’s mandate remains weak and useless, and INGOs are hassled and expelled at will. Every month that the status quo remains the same is a month that those with blood on their hand have won.

All of this leads the individual to hope for the worse. At least if the fighting erupted on a large scale the world would be forced to do something. At least if the DPA officially fell apart it would pave the way for a lasting peace deal to be signed. At least there would be an end in sight…at least…

For now I hope for the best…I still believe in peace…I am still willing to look for some type of progress…but I’m getting tired…everyone is. 

The Little Things

It’s the little things in life here that make it livable here in Darfur. Let me explain some of the little things in my life that have improved recently.

1. The local cell phone service is controlled by the Sudanese Gov. This service is also what we are dependant on for our internet service. When ever a big troop movement is planned or a large scale offensive it is common for the Gov. to turn all the cell phone service off. Well it has been down for nearly a week now. And while it’s kind of nice not being able to receive more report request for your boss, it gets to be a bother after a while. Well, yesterday the cell phones came on unexpectedly…little thing number one!

2. Apparently WFP is the largest transporter of alcohol in all of Sudan. I have lots of good friends in WFP. I had several good cold beers last night…little thing number two!!!

3. I discovered the other day that amongst the millions of Arabic satellite channels we receive, there is one channel called Sports Net America. And on this wonderful glorious channel you can find real live American Football!!!! Now of course to watch it live requires late nights here in Darfur, but with the internet always down I can just wait and watch the games on reply the next day…and with no commercials (Sudan TiVo if you will). Of course with no other American’s around I tend to watch by myself but never the less at the end of the game I am happy, so Florida defeats Arkansas…little thing number three!!! (although let it be know that I hate Florida...go OU)

4. So sometimes countries don’t get along so well with one another…for example Turkey and Greece, North Korea and South Korea, Bolivia and Chile, the US and anyone not called England. Well remarkably enough the US and Sudan have not been on the best of terms lately, so all American’s have been unable to travel in or out of Darfur for the past four months. This comes as a rather large blow when working here, especially in light of the fact that you are supposed to receive one week R&R for every eight weeks of work…something about keeping your sanity. Well after my six straight months in Darfur I had resigned myself to ringing in the NEW YEAR Sudanese style and had mentally prepared for another few dusty months. Well for reasons unknown to anyone the Sudanese Gov. decided to lift all travel restriction yesterday and we all received emails from the US Embassy informing us of the immediate change. Now of course when we all arrived at the government offices with our US Embassy letters in order to get our travel passes we where promptly informed that “these letters are from Bush and are lies” as the proceeded to rip them up in front of about 50 American’s trying to get to Darfur. Regardless the restrictions are lifted, it’s simply will take a bit longer for the news to trickle down to the lower levels. So for me the end is in sight (by end I mean long vacation) and at least I can start thinking where I might like to spend part of January…little thing number four!!!!