On 23 September, hundreds of people converged on the Al Zubair Stadium in El Fasher, North Darfur, to participate in the launch of the "We Need Peace Now" campaign, organized by the African Union-United Nations Mission in Darfur (UNAMID) and the National Sudanese Youth Union to support the peace process in Darfur.

The event, which also served to commemorate the International Day of Peace, included a parade in the city centre, traditional performances and a musical concert.

The Deputy Joint Special Representative, Mr. Joseph Mutaboba, urged the participants to start acting as ambassadors of peace. “Lasting peace in Darfur will not be achieved without your participation and commitment. Peace in Darfur is your hope for a brighter future. Peace in Darfur is your right,” he said.

“We hope that the parties to the conflict and indeed, every peace loving person in Darfur will not only listen to what the youth have to say but play an active role in restoring lasting peace in Darfur,” he added.

The Chairman of the Youth Union in North Darfur, Salih Ahmed Elshaikh, said that time had come for the youth to discard tribalism. “Youth are strong enough to build peace and achieve security and prosperity, and it is time to sit with the all armed movements to discuss the issue of the homeland,” he stated.

The six-month “We Need Peace Now” campaign aims at encouraging youth to become committed participants in the peace process and assist them in becoming proactive by equipping them with necessary tools that would make peace part of their daily discussions.

In El Daein, East Darfur, about 50 youth participated in a seminar, organized by UNAMID as part of the same campaign, to raise awareness on fundamental principles of justice, equality and conflict prevention through collective participation and the importance of involving youth in key decision making.