China, Malaysia and India are dominant in Dafur oil exploration. Canadian companies have sold out, and the U. S. has been barred by their government since 1997. A few European companies maintain small interests.

beardedbruce is essentially correct about the conflict; Islamic Arabs and Blacks (Sunni 70%) on one side, and black Christian (5%) and indigenous native (mostly Nilotic) religious groups (25%) on the other. The conflict will persist with or without outside intervention unless the latter is massive.