Darfur Assignment
Name: Student ID:Blue/Silver:
Where is Darfur?
Which are the main groups involved in the conflict in this region?
What does the article refer to as “a sign of trouble”?
How many people have been displaced in this conflict?
Which outside organizations have maintained a presence in the Darfur region, according to the article?
Why have some members of these organizations left the region?
Where is Zam Zam?
What is the importance of this location in the conflict?
According to the article, when did the conflict in Darfur begin? What were the contributing factors?
Which groups are referred to as members of the “rebel movement”?
Who is Ismail Abduraman, and what does he plan to do, according to the article?
What does the article note as a “hopeful sign,” and why?
GROUP ONE- Origins of the Conflict:
Responsible for investigating the origins of the Darfur conflict; should include a map as its visual aid. Recommended online source: The BBC’s “Q&A: Sudan’s Darfur Conflict” (
GROUP TWO- Janjaweed:
Responsible for researching the janjaweed; should include a definition of this term and information on the connection between janjaweed and the Sudanese government.
Recommended online source: Slate’s “Who are the Janjaweed: A Guide to the Sudanese Militiamen” (
GROUP THREE- Justice and Equality Movement:
Responsible for examining the roots, ideology, membership, and actions of the J.E.M.
Recommended online source: The BBC’s “Who are Sudan’s Darfur Rebels?” (
GROUP FOUR- Sudan Liberation Army:
Responsible for examining the roots, ideology, membership, and actions of the S.L.A.
Recommended online source: The BBC’s “Who are Sudan’s Darfur Rebels?” (
GROUP FIVE- Government of Sudan:
Responsible for researching the role of the Sudanese government in the conflict.
Recommended online source: Human Rights Watch Briefing Paper, July 20, 2004 (
GROUP SIX:- African Union:
Responsible for investigating the African Union and its role in the Darfur conflict.
Suggested source: PBS Online NewsHour’s “The African Union in Darfur” ( (This source is available in both video and transcript form, depending on available technology.)
GROUP SEVEN- United Nations:
Responsible for examining the role of the United Nations, related groups such as UN peacekeepers, and any UN resolutions regarding the conflict in the region.
Suggested online source: Sudan Information Gateway: United Nations System in the Sudan (
Each group will be responsible for writing an overview of their topic, encompassing key events related to their group or organization’s role in the conflict. They should also include at least one visual aid such as a map or photograph. At the end of the class period, each group presents its research and visual aid followed by a general discussion of the crisis.
- Vocabulary:
outlaws
- militia
- roughed up
- embolden
- ignite
- deterioration
- straightforward
- jockeying
- deceptive
- rape
- pillage
- root out
- sympathizer
- displace
- stronghold
- cultivate
- genocide
- loot
- grim
- rules of engagement
- ambush
- spoils
- traumatize
- lawless