China and the Darfur Crisis

Abstract

Darfur is Sudan’s western region, and the site of one of the major crises of the early 21st Century that dominated world affairs from 2003 to 2009.  The Darfur Crisis competed for world attention with major contemporary issues such as the US invasion of Iraq, the War on Terror, the US presence in Afghanistan, the Arab-Israeli Conflict, the Kosovo crisis and the civil war in Democratic Republic of Congo.  China was largely held responsible for the overwhelming level of force utilized by the Sudanese Government in quelling peaceful protests in the region in spring and summer of 2003.  Its oil interests in the Sudan were identified as the main catalyst for its siding with the Sudanese government and shielding it from punitive measures by the international community. Other catalysts include trade relations and arms sales to Sudan. The objective of this article is to examine China’s policy and role in the management of the Darfur Crisis over the past ten years. It’s based on the thesis that, China’s lenient policy toward the Sudanese government, driven by its oil interests has encouraged the Sudanese government to utilize overwhelming force against Darfur’s legitimate protest with impunity.