On 20 May 2014, UNAMID hosted an outreach event in the El Sereif locality of North Darfur to promote a culture of peace and support local-level mediation efforts by fostering community reconciliation and solidarity. Thousands of El Sereif residents, many of whom were displaced from clashes that took place in early 2013 in and around Jebel Amir, turned out for the festivities, which included speeches, cultural performances, football matches, volleyball tournaments and horse races.

The event, put on by UNAMID’s Communications and Public Information Section, was designed to serve as a bridge to foster interaction and prevent tribal division. UNAMID and its partners regularly conduct similar events across Darfur as a way to build a culture of peace and reconciliation.

Mr. Abdusamad Suleiman Marji, Secretary of the locality’s Youth, Culture and Sports Ministry, said that such events help drive out sadness and inspire community harmony. “This is an event that has allowed all of us to at least feel happy,” said Ms. Thuryia Ismail, a women’s group representative living in El Sereif, echoing the sentiments expressed by Mr. Marji.

The highlight of the event was the football tournament, with eight teams having competed in games leading up to the final matches on 20 May. While one team ultimately won the final game, all the other teams cheered for the victory in a spirit of solidarity. “We are happy to have won the competition, but we won it for each and every citizen of El Sireif,” said the winning team’s captain, Mr. Abdalla Abdurrahman, who dedicated all the games to peace.

Despite the slow pace of the ongoing reconciliation efforts between the parties involved in the clashes in North Darfur, UNAMID continues to work with community leaders to support mediation efforts and ensure that the needs of the communities are met. Sports events, such as the one held on 20 May, are designed to support these mediation efforts by forging stronger community ties.

“Sport helps us in spreading messages of peace, driving social change and meeting the Millennium Development Goals,” said United Nations Security-General Ban Ki-moon in a message delivered on 6 April 2014, the International Day of Sport for Development and Peace. In his message, the Mr. Ban urged everyone around the world to harness the potential of sport to build a better world for all.

On 20 May 2014, UNAMID hosted an outreach event in the El Sereif locality of North Darfur to promote a culture of peace and support local-level mediation efforts by fostering community reconciliation and solidarity. Thousands of El Sereif residents turned out for the festivities, which included speeches, cultural performances, football matches, volleyball tournaments and horse races. Photo by Albert Gonzalez Farran, UNAMID.

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