The New War in Darfur : ethnic mobilization within the disintegrating state

[摘要] ENGLISH ABSTRACT: In the context of the present conflict in Darfur, and in the years preceding it, the distinctionbetween so-called African and Arab tribes has come to the forefront, and the tribal identityof individuals has increased in significance. These distinctions were never as clear cut anddefinite as they are today. The 'Arab' and 'African' distinction that was always more of apassive characteristic in the past has now become the reason for standing on different sidesof the political divide. What then are the main factors which contributed to this new violentdistinction between Arab and African? How is it possible for people and communities whohave a positive history of cooperation and tolerance to suddenly plunge into a situation ofsuch cruelty and hate towards one another.The thesis uses the New War framework to look at the current situation in Darfur. The mostdefinitive version of this new framework is presented by scholars such as Mary Kaldor(2006), Martin van Creveld (1991) and Helfried Münkler (2005). The thesis then showshow the war in Darfur, exactly in line with the new war argument, has political goals withthe political mobilization occurring on the basis of identity. Kaldor (2006) argues that thepolitical goals in the new wars are about the claim to power based on seemingly traditionalidentities, such as Arab or African. Defining identity politics as 'movements whichmobilize around ethnic, racial or religious identity for the purpose of claiming state power(Kaldor, 2006: 80), it becomes apparent that Darfur has become subject to this these kindof new war politics. The study therefore questions the popular argument that ethnic conflictarises out of an 'ancient hatred or 'tribal warfare.Chapters three and four illustrates how this new distinction between Arab and Africanshould rather be seen as the cumulative effects of marginalization, competing economicinterests and, more recently, from the political polarization which has engulfed the region.Most of the factors leading to the current Arab/African antagonism were traced tocontemporary phenomena. The study also looks at factors such as loss of physical coercionon behalf of the state, loss of popular legitimacy and effective leadership,underdevelopment, poverty, inequality, and privatization of force. The study thenconcludes that politics of identity should more often be seen as a result of individuals,groups or politician reacting to the effects of these conditions then as the result of ethnichatred.

[发布机构] Stellenbosch University