El Fasher, 21 September 2010 - Marking the International Day of Peace and the African Union’s Year of Peace and Security, UNAMID today organized a series of events throughout the three Darfur states, under the theme “Make Peace Happen.”

UNAMID Joint Special Representative Ibrahim Gambari hosted at the Mission’s headquarters in El Fasher, North Darfur, a program of cultural displays presented by members of several contingents serving with the Mission and children from the state scout organization. The event was attended by Chairperson of the AU High-Level Implementation Panel on Darfur, and former President of South Africa, Thabo Mbeki and North Darfur State Wali (Governor) Osman Mohammed Yousif Kibir.

Mr. Mbeki conveyed the AU’s “gratitude to UNAMID for playing a very critical role on a matter that is of great importance both to the continent and to the rest of the world.”

“It continues to be the hope of our continent that your contributions ensure that, at last, the people of Darfur live in peace, that IDPs and refugees return to their homes and that development come to this important part of the Sudan, and of Africa,” he said

In his address, JSR Gambari called on the people of the Sudan to join efforts with UNAMID in the pursuit of an end to conflict, saying “Together we can achieve peace and prosperity in this place, and thereby enable the youth of Darfur to realize their full potential and great promise as they grow and experience and learn in a safe environment.”

The dignitaries then attended a symposium entitled “Youth, Peace and Development” at the University of El Fasher, where state officials, humanitarian agency representatives and university students discussed proposals on what could be done to achieve the Millennium Development Goals (MDGs) in Darfur. The event was broadcast via radio to all three state capitals.

“These are our ultimate goals, all of us,” said the Wali, pledging his government’s help in achieving the MDGs. “We need genuine and sincere support of peace efforts.”

Later, awards were presented to three schoolchildren who won a drawing competition for their depictions of the concept of peace. A moment of silence was also observed to honor all those who died in defense of peace and security in Africa.

At UNAMID’s offices in Nyala and El Geneina, similar cultural and theatrical performances were presented by local artists and youth groups. In El Geneina, peacekeepers and kindergarteners let fly a flock of white doves.

The evening program will consist of a couple of musical concerts featuring Sudanese singers, Samira Duniya in El Fasher and Omer Ihsas in Nyala.