El Fasher, 24 October 2012 – The African Union - United Nations Mission in Darfur (UNAMID), UN agencies and the people of Darfur gathered at El Fasher stadium in North Darfur to commemorate the 67th anniversary of the UN with cultural dances, peace songs, a military parade and exhibitions to promote the principles of the organisation. School children from El Fasher participated in the festivities by parading through the stadium while waving flags.

United Nations Day is observed globally on 24 October to reassure the world of its commitment to the universal values that the organization strives to uphold and symbolise. In addition, the day is used to honour those peacekeepers who have paid the ultimate price serving in UN missions.

”On this UN Day, let us reaffirm our individual commitment and our collective resolve to live up to the ideals of the United Nations Charter and build a better world for all,” said UNAMID Deputy Force Commander Maj. Gen. Wynjones M. Kisamba, quoting UN Secretary General Ban Ki-moon’s message for the day.

“In carrying out this global mission, we rely on countless friends and supporters,” said the Deputy Force Commander, quoting the Secretary-General. “Nongovernmental organizations, scientists, scholars, philanthropists, religious leaders, business executives and concerned citizens are critical to our success. No single leader, country or institution can do everything.”

Several Darfur dignitaries, including government officials from the Darfur Regional Authority and the office of the Wali (Governor) of North Darfur, attended the event, which followed the theme For the Love of Peace.

“We thank all the peacekeepers for coming here to serve and secure the people of Darfur,” said North Darfur Deputy Wali Adam Houbush. “The UN is established to bring peace, and we in Darfur are in need of peace and stability.”

Later in the day, Rimaz, a famous singer from Khartoum, performed a concert in the El Fasher stadium. UNAMID put on similar events across Darfur, including in Nyala, South Darfur; El Geneina, West Darfur; and Zalingei, Central Darfur.

Sudan became a UN Member State 57 years ago.
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Communications and Public Information Division Media Contacts
Aicha Elbasri, Spokesperson, elbasri@un.org, +249 91 250 2082
Rania Abdulrahman, Public Information, abdulrahman30@un.org, +249 (0)91 250 1966