The French Role in Darfur

The situation in Darfur, Sudan has drawn increasing international political and media attention. Although much interest is justifiably directed at relief needs, the violent events that brought about the humanitarian crisis have also come under scrutiny.

The present conflict in Darfur began in earnest in February, 2003, with the emergence of two antigovernment rebel groups (the Sudan Liberation Army and the Justice and Equality Movement). The conflict resulted in the displacement of many people within Darfur itself, and the flight of some others to neighbouring Chad.

Médecins Sans Frontières (MSF) was one of the first non-governmental relief organizations to obtain an authorization to work in Darfur. Beginning in December, 2003, the French section of MSF gradually implemented nutritional, medical, and water and sanitation programmes in several sites for internally displaced people in West Darfur state.

Joint patrols along the border between Chad and Sudan, led by 200 French troops with units from Chad, have prevented the crisis in Darfur from expanding, which would bring the risk of further instability and endanger civilians across the whole region. Based in Chad through bilateral agreements, these military capabilities were quickly deployed and then supported on the ground. This illustrated the crucial role of French forces deployed in Africa.

Following the Sudanese forces' operations in Darfur in early February, 2008 France underlined the risks of regional destabilization and signaled its extreme concern at the humanitarian consequences of the attacks on the civilian population.

On July 14, 2008 the ICC's prosecutor Luis Moreno-Ocampo indicted al-Bashir of committing genocide in Darfur and requested to arrest him.

On Sept. 2008 France launched an initiative that includes conditions to resolve the crisis with the International Criminal Court which accuses President Al Bashir of committing war crimes against humanity in Darfur.

The French initiative proposed the suspension of procedures against Al Bashir if the government agrees to several conditions that include the suspension of State Minister for Humanitarian Affairs Ahmed Haroun.

However, the National Congress Party (NCP) has rejected French conditions to suspend the procedures of the International Criminal Court (ICC) against President Al-Bashir.

Though Sudan renewed its refusal to cooperate with the ICC, still negotiations are going on between the Sudanese and French authorities.