The EU’s shifting intervention in Darfur - Analyzing the evolution of external engagement in the case of Darfur between 2003 and 2024
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2025-06-25
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en
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On April 11, 2024, human rights organizations such as HRW and Amnesty International urged increased attention to the escalating violence in Darfur, Sudan. This call to action criticizes the EU’s limited response, despite its historical engagement since 2003. This research explores why the EU’s involvement has declined and how geopolitical factors have shaped this shift, drawing on post-colonial theory and Edward Said’s Orientalism. The central question is: Why has the EU's response to the Darfur crisis changed since 2003? Through Critical Discourse Analysis of policy documents, media, and expert interviews, the study identifies three key reasons: a shift in dominant narratives prioritizing EU self-interest over human rights, increased involvement of global actors like Russia, China, and the UAE pursuing regional resources, and the persistence of post-colonial structures and “Othering.” The findings suggest that the EU often acts out of strategic rather than normative motives. The study recommends acknowledging colonial legacies, supporting local initiatives, and aligning actions with human rights principles. It also calls for further research into the role of climate change, the far-right’s rise in EU politics, and regional implications in the Sahel and Horn of Africa.
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Faculteit der Managementwetenschappen