Property Rights and Resource Conflict in Sudan

Karol C. Boudreaux, Mercatus Center at George Mason University

Abstract

The genocidal conflict in the western region of Sudan- Darfur-is often characterized as an ethnic and religious struggle. However, underlying the fighting between black African farmers against Arab janjaweed militia is a struggle over access to, and control of, increasingly scarce fertile land. This chapter presents a very brief history of the wars in Sudan. It also presents an economic analysis of property rights as it applies in this case. The chapter argues that efforts to resolve these conflicts will not be successful unless underlying property disputes are resolved and until the Sudanese government improves the institutional environment in which property rights operate.