Group Identity and Darfur

The situation in Darfur is most concisely explained as a result of intense group identity that separates their society. The ideology of Arab supremacy propagated by Libyan leader Muammar al-Gaddafi lead to action by many Darfurians, specifically those from Arab or African dissent. The schism between the two groups essentially lays the plot line for what unfolded in the late 90's and early 21st century. The sense of group supremacy that is so prevalent here can be loosely tied to an idea of cultural relativism in a society that sees the purge of certain races in their society to be something righteous. With these individuals empowered by their government and encouraged by leaders (who have fallen since), opposition by the unarmed civilian is nothing short of a death wish. Without the intervention of international aid, 2.8 million people are displaced and lived in camps, despite their conditions, because they are somewhat more safe there from genocidal killing, kidnap, and/or rape. They live in fear without support from any in their own country or across the globe.