Newly arrived refugees receive assistance at UNHCR’s Gaga camp in eastern Chad….

Reuters‘ story yesterday on the latest situation in Darfur reports that only the largest rebel faction signed a peace deal with the Sudanese government. After two years of negotiations, this will not end the conflict. I hope–but doubt that it can still bring protection to the millions of refugees.

A faction of the SLA–Sudan Liberation Army signed the accord, but rival leader Abdel Wahed Muhammad al-Nor and the group Justice and Equality Movement refused.  The government has said it will allow UN peacekeeping forces once an agreement with the rebel groups has been met.

I’m afraid that all this accord accomplishes is deflecting international criticism and pressure. The sincerity of the government is doubtful because they have reneged on so many agreements in the past. Sudan is under no serious pressure from the rebels or any threats of an external military internvention. Why hasn’t there been any international effort to treat Sudan as an outlaw state?

“Signing an incomplete deal guarantees that there will be no peace in Darfur and that suits the government. I am sure the government will look to exploit divisions in the rebels to fuel fighting in Darfur.” –John Prendergast, senior adviser to the International Crisis Group.

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