Minister of Development Inaugurates Celebration of the International Day of the African Child with the Participation of Ministry and Local Leaders
Minister of Social Development for Khartoum State,
Mr. Siddiq Hassan Ferini, addressed the celebration of the International Day of the African Child in Jebel Aulia locality. The event was attended by Mr. Zulfiqar Ali Mohammed, Secretary-General of the Supreme Council for Human Resources and Labor; Mr. Al-Naji Banqa, Executive Director of Jabal Awliya locality; Mr. Khalid Abdul Rahim, Commissioner for Voluntary and Humanitarian Work; education leaders; social development departments; and childhood coordinators from various localities. Ferini emphasized that the celebration represents “a reaffirmation of the Khartoum State government’s commitment to children’s issues in general.”
He commended the Jismar Organization for its contribution to organizing the event and praised Plan Sudan and all partner organizations.
Ferini explained that militias have directly targeted state health and education institutions. He stated, “71% of our children today struggle to access treatment from our health institutions.” He added that “more than 6,400 schools were destroyed or their operations disrupted during the war,” noting that this was “intentional because they targeted the future of Sudan, which is rooted in the hearts of our children.” He emphasized that “the militia understands that the state cannot exist without education, and therefore they based their destructive project on disrupting education.”
The minister explained that part of the celebration was to create a platform for advocacy and collective protection for children. He said, “Inside the tent, there are a large number of our children and students; this is a sign of our strength and our understanding of the message.”
He stressed Sudan’s commitment to the African continent: “We declare our commitment, as a nation and as a state, to this young continent, the continent of Africa.” For his part, the Executive Director of Jebel Alia locality, Mr. Al-Naji Banqa, reviewed the stages of resuming education in the locality, describing it as “an epic.”
He said: “The challenge was in opening the schools, and the beginning of the liberation was the epic of the primary, intermediate, and secondary school certificate exams, and finally we are now in the epic of marking.”
He pointed out that the locality is hosting the examiners of history and Islamic studies from various parts of Sudan in (10) schools, two for marking and eight for accommodation. He thanked the people of Kalakla for their generous hospitality. He called on organizations to coordinate with the local authorities in advance, emphasizing, “The doors of the local authorities are open to any work at the state and national levels.
We hope that we will not need any organization in the future and that we will be self-reliant in our programs and production.”
For his part, Dr. Abdul Qadir Abu, Secretary-General of the National Council for Child Welfare, stated that children are the human and social capital, and that investing in and caring for them is an investment in the future of Sudan. He also linked the struggle for national dignity to the agenda of child welfare and protection in all aspects of life, such as health and education. Abu commended the Minister for the efforts and continuous endeavors of the Ministry of Social Development to protect children in Khartoum State and all states. Ms. Zainab Abu Joda, Secretary of the Child Welfare Council in Khartoum State, said, “We in the Child Welfare Council are deeply concerned with the issues of children and all segments of society.” On the International Day of the African Child, she declared: “No to child labor, no to child marriage, no to drugs, no to all negative phenomena that hinder children.” She added, “Our children are our hearts walking on the earth.”
At the conclusion of the meeting, the Minister commended the Education Department in Jebel Awliya, the Commissioner General for Humanitarian Volunteer Work, Khalid, and the male and female volunteers.
He also conveyed the greetings of the Governor of Khartoum, Ahmed Osman Hamza, to those present. Freni concluded by expressing his gratitude to the Armed Forces, the Security Apparatus, the Police, and all those who mobilized for their role in restoring security.
The event included creative performances by children from the Martyr Omar Mohamed Musa School, as well as an interactive theatrical presentation, which were well-received by all attendees.