London, United Kingdom — The Afro-Arab Youth Council (AAYC) has stressed that meaningful youth participation remains critical to achieving lasting peace in Sudan, following a high-level engagement with the Embassy of the Republic of Sudan in London.

The position was made known by Bello Shagari, Coordinator, West Africa, Afro-Arab Youth Council, who led the meeting on behalf of the Council during an official working visit to the United Kingdom as part of ongoing engagements with the Afro-Arab diaspora.

According to Shagari, the meeting was held with the Deputy Head of Mission of the Sudanese Embassy, His Excellency Mohamed Salah A. Hassan, and focused on the prevailing peace and security situation in Sudan and the Sahel region, as well as pathways for expanding opportunities for young people within Afro-Arab communities.

“The Afro-Arab Youth Council reaffirmed its strong interest in contributing constructively to the peace process in Sudan through youth-led dialogue and engagement,” Shagari said.

He noted that the Council emphasized the importance of inclusive youth participation in peacebuilding, dialogue, and regional cooperation, adding that young people across Africa and the Arab world must be empowered to play active roles in shaping sustainable peace and development outcomes.

Shagari further disclosed that His Excellency Mohamed Salah A. Hassan reaffirmed his personal support for the activities of the Afro-Arab Youth Council and conveyed the continued support of the Government of Sudan for youth-led initiatives that promote peace, dialogue, and regional cooperation.

He recalled that Sudan has historically been a strong supporter of African youth initiatives, having hosted the secretariats of both the Pan-African Youth Union and the Afro-Arab Youth Council, until the relocation of the Pan-African Youth Union secretariat to Morocco.

The Afro-Arab Youth Council, Shagari added, continues to mobilize young people across Africa and the Arab world to participate in meaningful dialogue, enterprise, and advocacy in support of peace, stability, and sustainable development.