According to a former member of the West Darfur Parliament, Arabs are not responsible for driving over a million people from their homes in Darfur while executing tens of thousands.
Obeid Hasbullah Dico said even the Arab tribes had fallen victim to the looting Jinjaweeds (genies on horses) although the world was being told that the Jinjaweeds were Arabs.Obeid Hasbullah Dico claims that the entire conflict is caused by roving gangs of criminals and rebels who are capitalizing on an ongoing feud between farmers and shepherds in Darfur. He makes no mention of any religious conflict as has been reported.
"The Jinjaweeds are mere bandits. Anyone riding on horses to loot will be called by that name. The Jinjaweeds can come from any tribe," he said, adding that these bandits had killed at least 500 Arab shepherds in the past decade.
Even the international organisations that had set up temporary bases to monitor the humanitarian situation in Darfur, Obeid observed, were discriminating against those of Arab descent.
"Those applying for temporary jobs with the organisations are asked which tribe they are from.
"Those from Arab tribes are immediately rejected. The Westerners call them Jinjaweeds, and ask them to get out," he said recently in his house in El-Geneina in West Darfur.
Dico appears informed, but I'm not sure I buy his characterization of the conflict. His claim that the "Jinjaweeds are mere bandits" doesn't account for the fact that they are being supplied with weapons from somewhere and the weaponry has escalated the feud between farmers and shepherds to murderous rampages. Dico also neglects to mention the nature of the rebel element trying to take over the government. My take is that Dico's view of the situation is incomplete.
Um ..., that is with one exception. He blames the international media for mischaracterizing the conflict in Darfur. This is so easy to believe that it's not worth checking on.
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