Wanderlust World Wanderlust World The Darfur genocide, which began in 2003, stemmed from a complex web of ethnic, economic, political, and historical factors:
Longstanding tensions between Arab and non-Arab groups (Fur, Masalit, Zaghawa) escalated, with Arab government-backed Janjaweed militias targeting African farming communities.
Desertification and scarcity of fertile land and water intensified competition between pastoralists and farmers.
Non-Arab groups felt marginalized and underrepresented in Sudan's Arab-dominated central government.
Discriminatory policies favored Arab groups, deepening disenfranchisement among non-Arab communities.
The spread of small arms increased the capacity for violence and civilian attacks.
Some analysts suggest control of oil reserves in neighboring South Kordofan played a role, though this is disputed.
Insufficient global response emboldened perpetrators and allowed the genocide to continue.