The "Um Jaras" International Festival of Desert Cultures has made a notable return in northeastern Chad after a seven-year hiatus. This festival aims to celebrate the rich cultures of the Sahel region and will continue until February 13, with Niger as the guest of honor. The festival features vibrant dance performances and musical acts from various artists across Chad, Niger, Burkina Faso, and Mauritania, contributing to the cultural revival of the region, which is located near the Sudanese border.

During the festival's opening, Niger's Minister of Handicrafts and Tourism, Agaychata Gichin Ata, emphasized the importance of culture in overcoming tensions and misunderstandings in today's world. She highlighted culture as a space for dialogue and understanding, encouraging countries to collaborate in using culture as a tool for peace, development, and job creation. Such messages resonate deeply in a time when many regions, including the Sahel, face numerous crises.

Chadian Prime Minister, Alami Halina, also expressed the government's commitment to making desert culture and tourism key components of national development. He shared his vision for recognizing desert cultures as part of the living heritage of humanity. This festival not only showcases the artistic talents of the Sahel but also aims to heal and unify communities, making it significant both culturally and politically.