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This thesis examines and analyzes the diplomatic and military responses made by the African Union (AU) and the United Nation (UN) to the horrendous conflict in Darfur that reached its zenith in 2003.Yet, the conflict traced five decades back. This study is a qualitative analysis that comprises both descriptive and exploratory aspects. The literatures gleaned are analyzed using the Department For International Development (DFID) model for conflict analysis. The model is chosen because it is plain, clear and not sophisticated. Furthermore, its pertinence to exhaustively look into the current responses and potential for effective and coherent approach is a plus. The paper commences by discussing the conflict at large and highlights the causes of the conflict in Sudan. It has been mentioned that inequitable distribution of wealth and access to state power are the cardinal causes for the conflict. Then, a glimpse look at the different peace attempts made to contain the problem in North-South and Eastern Sudan is put in summarized and concise way. This is done because these peace agreements may have some bearing for the political solution of Darfur.

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Alemu Kassa Reta,MA stduied Development Studies at Addis Ababa University and Governance and Development at University of Antwerp, Institute of Development Policy and Managment, Lecturer at Jimma University, Ethiopia.

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