The threat of hunger, disease and violence continues to blight the lives of millions of Darfuris even as the most intense fighting of 2003 and 2004 has eased into a pattern of more varied and sporadic violence.

Optimists say the arrest warrant for Omar al-Bashir, Sudan’s president, could quell government-instigated violence by signalling the end of impunity for those behind it – but the argument is undermined by doubts over whether Mr Bashir will ever be arrested.