الآثار الاجتماعية – الاقتصادية والسياسية للصراع في ولاية جنوب دارفور.. محلية شعيرية

Abstract

This study has aimed at investigating the socioeconomic and political impact of conflict in southern Darfur state with special reference to Shieriyia locality. The study has looked in to the problem of the changing nature of the conflict in the whole of Greater Darfur since the middle of the eighties of the last century up to the emergence of the current complex tribal conflicts which is now taking place in the area. The current conflict have resulted in the collapse of kinship norms, subsistent economic, social relations and the breakdown of political tribal system amongst the studied population. Hence, the main question what is the socioeconomic and political impact of conflict in South Darfur state … shieriyia locality? Several methodological procedures have been used for the collection of data. These included descriptive and historical methods, participant observation, direct interviews and questionnaire to collect as mach as relevant and obtainable data from secondary and primary sources. The Marxist concept of social conflict has been adopted as most appropriate theoretical interpretative tool for analyzing and explaining tribal conflict phenomenon in Southern Darfur. Most significant concluding remarks and findings are that these tribal conflicts are caused by an accumulation of socioeconomic and political factors having deep historical roots that express themselves in different terms and levels, from which major direct and indirect and other complex causes emanate. The study has also reached the conclusion that historical relations of trust and cooperation have disappeared and thus individual and intergroup interaction within homogeneous and mutual exchanges has consequently ceased. The findings also show decrease in major economic activities among the studied population due to the conflicts, and this in turn has led to a wide transformation of some professions and handicrafts, and to a complete impoverishment of some categories, while the situation of other categories has improved. Furthermore, the study has found that the tribe as a social institution is still being exploited in the tribal conflicts by the ruling powers and political elites. Moreover, the role of Darfur elites in the tribal conflicts is passive. The research has further explored the tribal conflicts between the groups monopolizing power and wealth, and those suppressed groups within the cross-cutting interests at the social, economic and historical forms. Finally, the study made a number of recommendations including, adopting a comprehensive means to address tribal conflicts as they are, socioeconomic and political forms in regard to:- Socially, reintroducing trust among social elements and redressing contradictions, social ills and entertaining these elements to express themselves without prejudice to other interests. Economically, providing essential needs such as services, infrastructure, development projects and removing roots of economic and social deprivation. Politically, abandoning the passive exploitation of the tribe in adopting and implementing policies and restrict interfering in the local tribal affairs by repairing the damage that has been incurred in the social fabric, thereby the structural balance that has been lost: the socioeconomic and political balance