Darfur region

Darfur is a region in western Sudan that has been plagued by conflict and humanitarian crises for decades. It is newsworthy due to the ongoing civil war in Sudan, which has intensified the suffering of the Darfuri people. Recent events include the International Criminal Court (ICC) sentencing a former Janjaweed militia leader to 20 years in prison for war crimes and crimes against humanity committed in Darfur in 2003-2004, marking the ICC's first conviction for Darfur crimes. The region is experiencing further devastation due to the current war, with reports of attacks on civilians, including a kindergarten and hospital, attributed to the paramilitary Rapid Support Forces (RSF). El Fasher, a key city in Darfur, has been particularly affected, with residents facing dire conditions. The RSF's seizure of the Heglig oilfield, while located in South Kordofan, highlights the broader instability and resource control struggles impacting the region. The ongoing conflict and atrocities underscore the urgent need for humanitarian aid and a resolution to the Sudanese civil war to alleviate the suffering in Darfur.