Despite formal charges of genocide against Sudanese president Omar Hassan El Bashir, UTD community members - including refugees of the Second Sudanese Civil War, political science professors and political activists - agree the threat of legal action may not be sufficient to stop the bloodshed in Sudan.
"The current civil war is between rebel groups and the Sudanese governments and the Janjaweed militia which are allegedly supported by the Sudanese government," said Linda Keith, UTD assistant professor of political science. "The Janjaweed and the Sudanese government are accused of killing and displacing hundreds of thousands of innocent civilians and are accused of trying to cleanse western Sudan (Darfur) of these ethnic groups."
The genocide in Darfur is a part of a larger story. The precursor to the genocide began as a war between north and the south Sudan in 1983.
The Lost Boys of Sudan were a group of children that were displaced by the second Sudanese civil war. Abraham Akech, geosciences junior, and alumnus Johnson Reng, were among the many displaced by the civil war and relocated to the U.S.
"As a group, we have a touching story, but there were also a few members who had horrific experiences," Reng said.
"The north and the south broke into conflict when the north imposed shirai laws on the South in the 1980s, a region that predominately practices Christian and traditional beliefs," Akech said. "The South attempted to break away and become independent. But Northern Sudan attempted to fight the rebels and reunify the country."
A treaty was eventually signed in 2005, however, the problems that are rampant in Sudan did not end.
"The situation in Sudan is complicated politically, socially, economically, and in many other facets," Reng said.
The United States provided more than $379 million to Darfur in 2007, according to a fact sheet of Key U.S. Government Assistance Programs for Africa released by the U.S. Department of State. The aid is on top of $638 million provided by the United States between 2003 and 2005.
"The U.S. role was effective in solving a lot of problem with resolving issues in Sudan" Reng said. "But because of the involvement of other nations are involved, the role of the U.S. is limited.
The response is in the middle, it would be worse if there was no international response but they have not done enough to adequately respond Akech said.
"As we have seen with Bosnia and Rwanda, indictments do not necessarily lead to individual's arrest and arraignment before court," Keith said. "Arresting a sitting head of state that is well armed and supported in his country would be an incredibly tricky task and not one the United Nations seems likely to have the will to tackle at this point."
An adequate international response is necessary for a resolution between the two sides, Reng said.
"A bigger nation should take responsibility and use their powers as a strong nation in order to effectively and legitimately help people who are oppressed, Reng said.
While El Bashir denies the charges of genocide, his relationship with the Janjaweed will be examined by the ICC in order to determine if any connections exist.
"The secretary of defense in Sudan answers to the president; he cannot do anything without the president's approval," Akech said.
Despite the allegations concerning the relationship between the Sudanese government and the Janjaweed militia, Reng said that a fair international trial is necessary for resolution to the problems in Darfur.
"The most important thing that other presidents need to understand is that civilian lives are as important as the President's life, Reng said." "If the rules apply to everyone else, they also apply to the president."
The challenges of bringing criminal charges to the President of Sudan comprises of national interests from other African states and countries that have an economic interest in Sudan.
"Most countries in Africa are concerned about the hearings, because they believe that similar legal issues will escalate and spread out to other countries if a precedence is developed from El Bashir's trial," Reng said.
"I can see why most of the African Nation can be defensive," Akech said. "They don't want outsiders to be the people that decide on their crimes. Most African countries are ruled by dictators. If Sudan faces charges, then it could mean that other countries will be charged as well."
UTD students are involved in raising awareness about the genocide in Sudan. Amnesty International, in particular, has been involved in gaining support for the victims of Darfur by gathering signatures for a petition for the government of China to become more accountable with their trade partnership with Sudan. Amnesty International also offered a screening of "The Lost Boys," about the orphaned children of Sudan.
"As students, we can use our voices and our pens as citizens to request for something to be done from our government," said Maria Islam, group coordinator for Amnesty International.
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