MSF: Darfur, Sudan has not been an emergency since 2004

MSF says the magnitude of violence in Darfur has been huge but it is not genocide. The situation on the ground has not been an emergency since 2004.

UPI report May 04, 2009 KHARTOUM, Sudan:
Experts differ on 'genocide' in Darfur

Accusing the Sudanese government of genocide in Darfur may have prolonged the conflict and complicated peace talks, some activists and diplomats said.

"Genocide puts a moral price on this that limits the room to maneuver," a Western diplomat in Khartoum told the Los Angeles Times. "How can you deal with a genocidal government? Can you compromise with evil?"

Two consecutive American presidents and several activist groups have labeled as 'genocide' the bloody campaign by the Sudanese Arab-led government and allied militias. Others doubt the six-year war fits the legal definition, including Human Rights Watch and Doctors Without Borders, the Times reported Monday.

The magnitude of violence in Darfur has been huge but it is not genocide, said Thierry Durand, director of operations for Doctors Without Borders.

"The situation on the ground has not been an emergency since 2004," Thierry said. "The real problem is the dependency in the camps. But the whole thing has become over-politicized."