On 12 August 2018, UNAMID’s Communications and Public Information Section, in partnership with the Ministry of Youth and Sport and the National Federation of Sudanese Youth, joined the rest of the world in commemorating the International Youth Day in El Fasher, North Darfur, through a series of cultural and sporting events, held under the theme: “Safe Spaces for Youth”. More than 2,000 people attended the event, which included a marathon, cultural performances and musical concert, held at the town’s Al Zubair stadium.

At the main event, UNAMID Deputy Joint Special Representative (DJSR), Ms. Anita Kiki Gbeho, delivered the United Nations Secretary General’s (UNSG) message on the Day in which the UNSG encouraged all countries to invest in education and training so that young people can achieve their full potential noting that the “world’s young people need safe spaces -- public, civic, physical and digital spaces where they can freely express their views and pursue their dreams.” 

In his address, the Deputy Wali (Governor) of North Darfur, Mr. Mohamed Brima Hassab Al Nabi, stated the youth are the hope for the future of Sudan. “We rely on youth to lead the Sudan to peace, stability and development,” Mr. Al Nabi added.

Ms. Hikma Ibrahim Abdallah, Minister of Youth, North Darfur, stated that the Government of Sudan is fully committed to the provision of safe spaces to enable the youth to interact freely and discuss and share issues that are of concern to them.

Eltigani Abdallah Salih, the Commissioner of El Fasher Locality, urged all the youth to participate actively in all aspects of community development to achieve peace and stability in Darfur. “We need the youth to contribute in the voluntary return of IDPs and the activities to combat drugs, “Mr. Salih stated. 

Chairperson of the National Federation of Sudanese Youth, Faisal Ez Alarab, highlighted the important role youth have in aiming to achieve social peace and development in Darfur, particularly in the voluntary return of internally displaced persons to their places of origin.

Sulaiman Abdallah, a student at El Fasher University, observed that through cultural and sporting activities, youth can effectively raise awareness on the importance of peaceful co-existence among communities in Darfur.