Hundreds of residents of El Fasher, north Darfur and Zalingei , central Darfur on 26 October joined the global community to mark the 75th Anniversary of the United Nations in colorful celebrations spiced with various social activities that included exhibition booths, Mission legacy photo exhibition, handicrafts market, drama performances on COVID-19, music concerts, peace songs and cultural shows on peace and security.

The host community members including women, youth, students, children, and internally displaced persons (IDPs) thronged the Abdulrahman El Rashid Gardens in El Fasher and Zalingei University football ground to join in the celebrations held under strict COVID-19 observance protocols. The exact date of the anniversary was 24 October but conducted belatedly on 26 October as the precise date fell on weekend in Sudan.

In El Fasher, where the main celebration was conducted, Mr. Lameck Kawiche, UNAMID’s Chief Regional Field Coordination Team & Officer in Charge of Joint Transition Centre, read the UN Secretary General’s message on the day, while in Zalingei Mr. Zurab Elzarov, Head of Governance and Community Stabilization Section (GCSS) co-officiated at the event along with the Central Darfur State Secretary General, Mr. Hussein Bakhit.

Quoting the SG’s message for the Day, Mr. Kawiche noted that “we must do more to end human suffering from poverty, inequality, hunger and hatred --and fight discrimination on the basis of race, religion, gender or any other distinction,” adding that whilst the “ months of pandemic have seen a horrific rise in violence against women and girls. A remarkable global collaboration is under way for a safe, affordable, and accessible COVID-19 vaccine for all.”

On his part, Chief GCSS, Mr. Elzarov observed that this year’s 75th Anniversary of the United Nations is coming at a time of great disruption for the world, compounded by an unprecedented global health crisis due to the COVID-19 pandemic, with severe economic and social impacts. He called on for global solidarity and cooperation to overcome the current challenges.

“It is important for us in Darfur to celebrate this day as we have been having UNAMID as part of our community for a long time. They have helped us in many ways,” said Ms. Asha Mohammed Adam, an IDP community member in Zalingei.

Well known Khartoum-Based musician, Mr. Hani Abdin, thrilled the crowds in El Fasher will popular Sudanese songs, whilst the crowds visited the various exhibition booths in which UNAMID and UNCT showcased their work. The Mission Legacy Photo Exhibition and the Handicrafts Market held in the Darfurian Model Village captured the interest of the crowds. In Zalingei, the drama performance on COVID-19 turned out to be a crowd puller as UNAMID’s Gambian contingent performed a cultural dance that was received with ululations from the crowd.