Decades of Displacement: Unknown Fate of Darfur Region’s Students

By Hashim Zakaria
Zhashim2024@gmailcom
June 28, 2025

Since the 1980s, the Darfur region has endured ongoing instability, largely fueled by
successive Sudanese government policies aimed at altering the region’s demographic makeup.
This culminated in 2003 with a brutal campaign of genocide and ethnic cleansing carried out by
the government and its allied militias. The violence displaced hundreds of thousands of people,
many of whom fled to neighboring countries, especially Chad, while others remain in internally
displaced persons (IDP) camps within Sudan, still facing daily atrocities.
This article focuses on the future of students affected by both waves of displacement: the initial
genocide in 2003 and the more recent outbreak of violence in 2023. These young students have
spent their formative years in refugee camps in Chad, often with limited access to quality
education or opportunities for advancement.
A small survey I conducted in two high schools located in the Brejing and Treguine refugee
Camps offer a glimpse into the long-term educational outlook for these students.
Overview of Treguine and Brejing Refugee Camp Education Context
Sources: former Principal Youssouf Abdurhaman (Treguine High School) and former Principal
Ibrahim Idriss (Brejing High School), recently resettled in the U.S.
Treguine and Brejing Refugee Camps are in eastern Chad. Treguine is home to approximately
40,000 residents. Its neighboring camp, Brejing, hosts around 55,000 people.
Formal high schools in Chad’s refugee camps were officially established in 2010 to serve
displaced youth. On average, about 120 students take the national high school examination each
year. Despite limited resources and harsh living conditions, these schools maintain a 60% pass
rate, reflecting both the resilience of the students and the commitment of their educators.
However, access to higher education is extremely limited. Only 2% of students receive
scholarships to pursue university studies, while around 10% manage to continue their education
through personal effort and community support.
Barriers Worsen After 2023
The situation worsened dramatically following the second wave of violence in 2023. In 2024, the
The Chadian government prevented approximately 13,000 refugee students from sitting for their high
school exams. This decision was confirmed by Malik Agar, Vice Chairman of Sudan’s
Transitional Sovereignty Council, during a televised interview on Sudan TV.
This raises urgent and painful questions: After surviving genocide, displacement, and decades of
marginalization, why are those students now being denied the basic right to education by both
Sudan and Chad? Is there a coordinated effort to suppress this generation’s potential? What have
these innocent young students done to deserve such treatment?
There was a recent sign of progress. According to Meram News, the Chadian government
eventually agreed to allow the 13,000 students to take their exams. However, due to a sudden
lack of preparation time, the exams overseen by the Sudanese consulate in Bashe, Chad, were
postponed until further notice.
What Comes Next?
Based on available data, around 88% of Darfur region refugees are not receiving a college
education. This is primarily due to financial hardship, a lack of universities in Chad, and
extremely limited scholarship opportunities. These numbers reflect the reality for students who
were displaced in 2003 and do not yet account for those affected by the 2023 crisis.
So, even if all 13,000 students are allowed to sit for and pass their high school exams, what
comes next?
Without significant international support, access to universities, financial assistance, and urgent
policy interventions, these students will remain trapped in a cycle of displacement and denied
futures. Education is not just a right; it is a pathway to rebuilding lives and communities.
Denying it is a quiet form of violence that must not be ignored.

On June 21, 2025, the City of Dayton, in collaboration with several community organizations, proudly hosted the World Refugee Day Celebration to honor the resilience, contributions, and lived experiences of refugees from around the world. The event brought together community members, service providers, and refugee leaders for a meaningful day of reflection, cultural exchange, and recognition.

Refugee Panel Discussions

Four powerful refugee speakers shared their journeys, challenges, and hopes for the future:

         •       Hashim Zakaria – Sudan

         •       Aline Uwase – Rwanda

         •       Dina Al Obaidi – Iraq

         •       Desire Ntwayingabo – Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC)

Each panelist offered a compelling and unique perspective on forced displacement, the journey toward integration, and the vital role of community support in rebuilding their lives in the United States.

Cultural and Educational Activities

Attendees engaged in a variety of cultural and educational activities, including:

Interactive Cultural Tables showcasing traditional clothing, artifacts, and practices from diverse refugee communities.

Youth Programs such as Refuge Robotics” for children ages 6–12

Where in the World” Map Activity helps attendees learn about refugee origins and journeys

Special thanks to all community partners, volunteers, and organizations who made this event possible. Your continued support plays a crucial role in welcoming and empowering refugee families across the region.

Grateful to have participated in the Advanced Training Program at the United Nations with WFUNA in Geneva, Switzerland, alongside an inspiring cohort of fellow Buckeyes from The Ohio State University.

 This week was a powerful learning experience, engaging directly with diplomats, UN agencies, and global organizations to deepen our understanding of international affairs, public policy, human rights, and sustainable development.

 Huge thanks to Kyle B. Sturges, Sara Ireland, and Elizabeth Shuman for your incredible support and leadership throughout this journey. Honored to be part of a program that bridges academic learning with real-world diplomacy.

#WFUNA 

#OhioStateUniversity

 #Geneva 

#UnitedNations

 #PublicPolicy #GlobalLeadership

 #EducationAbroad

Reflections on the absence of reference to genocide in Darfur in the exhibition of the International Red Cross and Red Crescent Museum raise questions about the rights of victims... Student Hashem Mohamed Zakaria Report

Reflections on the absence of reference to genocide in Darfur in the exhibition of the International Red Cross and Red Crescent Museum raises questions about the rights of victims... Student Hashem Mohamed Zakaria Report

From 1 to 11 May 2025, she had the privilege of participating in the WFUNA Advanced Training Program in Geneva, Switzerland. This experience was part of a program sponsored by The Ohio State University, and provided a rare opportunity to interact with various United Nations agencies and international organizations. This intensive training programme has deepened our understanding of multilateral diplomacy, the defence of human rights, and the workings of the United Nations system.

Program Overview: WFUNA's advanced training program included a comprehensive curriculum focused on enhancing participants' skills in diplomacy and advocacy within the UN system. Highlights of the programme included: interactive sessions with diplomats from the Permanent Missions to the United Nations in Geneva, visits to key UN agencies, including the World Meteorological Organization (WMO), the World Health Organization (WHO), the World Trade Organization (WTO), the International Federation of Red Cross and Red Crescent Societies (IFRC), the United Nations Economic Commission for Europe (UNECE), the European Center for Nuclear Research (CERN), and others.

These meetings opened in-depth dialogues on pressing global issues and gave participants a unique opportunity to learn more about the work of the United Nations and its partner institutions.

Visit the International Red Cross and Red Crescent Museum as part of the program, therefore, we visited the International Red Cross and Red Crescent Museum in Geneva. The museum narrates the history of the humanitarian work of the International Red Cross Movement and houses powerful exhibits on conflicts, displacement and genocide on different continents and time periods. Although the museum contains poignant accounts of suffering and resilience, I was deeply disappointed that there is no sign of genocide and ethnic cleansing that remains in the Darfur region, despite the passage of more than twenty-two years since it began against the citizens of the western region of Sudan and more recently the Masalit tribe in Dar Masalit in 2023.

Reflections on the absence of reference to genocide in the Darfur region in the exhibition of the International Red Cross and Red Crescent Museum raises important questions about the rights of victims and their representation in presenting their cases, preserving the historical memory of the genocide, and who tells their stories in global institutions. Genocide, characterized by mass murder, ethnic cleansing, displacement, violence and systematic displacement, represents a major test on international humanitarian law for the protection of civilians and a crucial chapter in modern human history.

As I personally have academic ties to Sudan, I felt deeply saddened by the absence of information about the genocide in western Sudan at the International Red Cross and Red Crescent Museum. The lack of representation of genocide victims in a well-known global humanitarian institution highlights the need for more comprehensive narratives that reflect the full spectrum of human suffering and international response. For all the victims.

In conclusion, the WFUNA Advanced Training Program in Geneva was a pivotal experience that broadened my understanding in international relations and human rights diplomacy. However, my visit to the Red Cross Museum highlighted the importance of equitable historical representation of peoples and groups facing genocide in various regions of the world.

As global citizens and more inclusive and moderate policy aspirants of the future, it is our responsibility to ensure that all atrocities against humanity are recognized and documented, regardless of geography or geopolitical interests. Institutions dedicated to humanitarian work should have a responsibility to tell the whole issues, including stories that are often overlooked.

Art is a powerful tool to convey messages and influence societies / Hashem Zakaria Mohammed

January 20, 2025 – Ohio State University

Art is a powerful tool for conveying messages and influencing communities. Many artists have used different mediums, such as painting, music, photography and others, to deliver meaningful messages that highlight humanitarian and societal issues. I was fortunate to have the opportunity to study at Ohio State University, studying public policy analysis with a focus on education policy. As part of the academic program requirements, you choose to study photography to meet one of the components of the specialization. This allowed me to explore art as a means of expression. Taking advantage of this opportunity, she participated in the thirty-third annual art exhibition of the Edith John Fergus family, where the winning works are exhibited at The Ohio State University from January 6 to January 17.

My participation focused on documenting the genocide

Collectivism in Darfur, especially in Dar Masalit. I am very honored to be one of the 19 winners whose works have been selected for this prestigious exhibition. I would like to express my sincere thanks to the John Fergus family for their continued support of the arts, to Ohio State University for providing this platform for artistic expression, and to everyone who encouraged and supported me on this journey. Your support and inspiration has played a big role in achieving this achievement.

Art is a powerful tool for conveying messages and influencing societies / Hashem Mohamed Zakaria, January 20, 2025 – Ohio State University

Art is a powerful tool for delivering messages and influencing societies. Many artists have utilized various tools, such as painting, music, photography, and more, to convey meaningful messages that highlight humanitarian and societal issues.

I was fortunate to have the opportunity to study at Ohio State University, where I am pursuing a degree in Public Policy Analysis, focusing on education policy. As part of my general academic requirements, I chose a photography course to fulfill one of the program's components. This allowed me to explore art as a tool of expression.

Seizing this opportunity, I participated in the 33rd Annual Edith John Fergus Family Art Exhibition, where the winning works are displayed at Ohio State University from January 6 to January 17, 2025.

My submission focused on documenting the genocide in Darfur, particularly in Dar Masalit. I am deeply honored to have been selected as one of the 19 winners whose works were chosen for this prestigious exhibition.

I would like to extend my heartfelt appreciation to the John Fergus Family for their unwavering support of the arts, to Ohio State University for providing this platform for artistic expression, and to everyone who encouraged me and stood by my side throughout this journey. Your support and inspiration were invaluable and made this achievement possible.