West Darfur

Geography

Topography

West Darfur covers an area of 79,460 km2, approximately the size of Czechia. The region is mostly savannah, though the northern regions are sandy, while the rest of the state is mountainous. The highest peak is Sawani mountain, with a height of 1154m and a prominence of 210m. There are several valleys across the state such as Wādī Kaja, and there are dense forests in the mountains.

Climate

As the state varies from dry desert in the northern regions to rich savannah in the south, the climate is largely hot and dry, with June and July being the hottest months, at times reaching over 45 °C. As is typical of deserts, nights reach much cooler temperatures, around 15-20 °C. Though rainfall is very low, it is generally higher in the southern parts of the state. Below is a table of average and peak temperatures, precipitation, humidity and sunshine:

| Jan record high C = 40.0 | Feb record high C = 43.0 | Mar record high C = 45.0 | Apr record high C = 45.0 | May record high C = 46.0 | Jun record high C = 41.0 | Jul record high C = 40.0 | Aug record high C = 36.0 | Sep record high C = 38.0 | Oct record high C = 39.0 | Nov record high C = 39.0 | Dec record high C = 38.0 | year record high C = 46.0 | Jan record low C = 4.0 | Feb record low C = 7.0 | Mar record low C = 8.0 | Apr record low C = 13.0 | May record low C = 14.0 | Jun record low C = 18.0 | Jul record low C = 17.0 | Aug record low C = 14.0 | Sep record low C = 19.0 | Oct record low C = 19.0 | Nov record low C = 12.0 | Dec record low C = 8.0 | year record low C = 4.0

Human

Geneina is one of the largest cities in the state, and its capital. The state has eight localities: Beida, Forbranga, Al Geneina, Habila, Jebel Mun and Kirendik, Kulbus, and Sirba. Other settlements include:

• Beida
• Forbranga
• Jebal Mun
• Kirendik
• Al Geneina
• Habila
• Kulbus
• Sirba

Demographics

The population of West Darfur was estimated in 2023 at 1.9 million people, with 90% living in urban areas.

Ethnic groups

The major ethnic groups in West Darfur are the Erenga, Gimir, Masalit, Misseriya Jebel, Sinngar, and Zaghawa.

History

The Darfur region is divided into five federal states: Central Darfur, East Darfur, North Darfur, South Darfur and West Darfur.

According to Human Rights Watch, hostilities broke out in West Darfur in 1998. The 1998 clashes, were relatively minor, but more than 5,000 Masalit were displaced. Clashes resumed in 1999 when nomadic herdsmen again moved south earlier than usual.

The 1999 clashes were deadlier, with hundreds killed, including a number of Arab tribal chiefs. The government brought in military forces in an attempt to quell the violence and took direct control of security. A reconciliation conference held in 1999 agreed on compensation. Many Masalit intellectuals and notables were arrested, imprisoned, and tortured in the towns as government-supported Arab militias began to attack Masalit villages; a number of Arab chiefs and civilians were also killed in these clashes.

In 2000, a clandestine group consisting mostly of Darfuris published the Black Book, a dissident manuscript detailing the domination of the north and the impoverishment of the other regions. It was widely discussed, despite attempts to censor it, and many of the writers went on to help found the rebel Justice and Equality Movement.

Sudanese Civil War

From April to November 2023, the Rapid Support Forces (RSF) carried out attacks on the capital city of Geneina, killing thousands.

Notes

References

References

1. (28 July 2024). "Al-Burhan approves appointment of Bahr al-Din Adam Karama as governor of West Darfur".
2. (2023-03-29). "OCHA Sudan: West Darfur State Profile (March 2023) {{!}} OCHA".
3. "Sub-national HDI - Area Database - Global Data Lab".
4. Hastrup, Anders. (2013). "The War in Darfur: Reclaiming Sudanese History". Taylor & Francis.
5. (31 August 2020). "Sudan signs peace deal with rebel groups from Darfur".
6. Haq, Ingrid Formanek, Kareem El Damanhoury, Sana Noor. (2023-07-26). "10,000 reported killed in one West Darfur city, as ethnic violence ravages Sudanese region".
7. "ولاية غرب دارفور – elearning darfur sd".
8. PeakVisor. "West Darfur State Mountains".
9. "Western Darfur Weather Today {{!}} Temperature & Climate Conditions - NearWeather.com".
10. "West Darfur, SD Climate Zone, Monthly Weather Averages and Historical Data".
11. STATE PROFILE WEST DARFUR]
12. (2023-03-29). "OCHA Sudan: West Darfur State Profile (March 2023) {{!}} OCHA".
13. [http://hrw.org/reports/2004/sudan0504/4.htm Human Rights Watch]
14. (2024-05-09). "Sudan: Ethnic Cleansing in West Darfur {{!}} Human Rights Watch".