What important events lead up to darfur?

The Darfur conflict, which began in 2003, was precipitated by a combination of factors including ethnic tensions, competition for resources, and political marginalization. The Sudanese government’s neglect of the Darfur region, coupled with the rise of rebel groups like the Sudan Liberation Army (SLA) and the Justice and Equality Movement (JEM), escalated the situation. Additionally, long-standing issues such as drought and desertification intensified competition for land and water, leading to violence between different ethnic groups. The government's subsequent response, involving the Janjaweed militia, further exacerbated the conflict, leading to widespread atrocities and humanitarian crises.