Egypt expels Darfur SLM representative
May 19, 2008 (NAIROBI) — The Egyptian authorities continued its crackdown on Darfur rebel groups in Cairo following the 10 May attack on the Sudanese capital and expelled the Sudan Liberation Movement (SLM) representative from the country.
Hafiz Youcif Hamoda, an adviser of the SLM leader Abdel Wahid al-Nur and member of the SLM negotiating team was expelled last week from Egypt without any explanation.
However Hamoda reached by telephone said his expulsion has no link with the JEM coup on Khartoum.
Speaking with Sudan Tribune from Nairobi, the rebel figure said the Egyptian decision might be motivated by the “tremendous rapprochement between Khartoum and Cairo”. He also feared his expulsion might have been upon a request from the Sudanese security service.
Hamoda had complained last month that he was prohibited from holding a press conference in Cairo on the occasion of the fifth national census in Sudan.
The SLM official also said the opening of Israel office has no direct relation with the Egyptian decision. But he noted that security services were embarrassed by the growing number of Darfuris who cross to Israeli border from Sinai.
One source who declined to be named told Sudan Tribune that Egyptian authorities believe that the SLM officials played a role in the organization of the Darfuris travel to Israel. However, Hamoda said that Egyptian Bedouin smugglers are the ones responsible for “this lucrative business”.
Hamoda said he never violated the Egyptian law or insulted its government before saying that “there was no reason to expel me apart from leveraging on the opportunity of the JEM attack”
The Sudanese trek across Egypt’s Sinai desert and pay Bedouin smugglers to help them cross the remote border, usually giving themselves up to Israeli army patrols. Most are driven by increasing hardship in Egypt, where they lack residence and work permits and have been subject to arrest.
Sudanese refugees started sneaking into Israel through Egypt regularly in 2005 and the numbers increased as violence raged in the troubled Darfur region.
(ST)
A2 4 forever
Egypt expels Darfur SLM representative
I really fade up with the double standard of the so-called Egypt, why are they kicking the SLM out of their country simply because they opened a office in Israel, while Egypt has been in peace with Israel for ages, since their humiliating defeat by Israel!!!
I love all Darfurian movements which are fighting the regime now, Southern Sudan will joint them very soon to complete the dreams and goals of the black movement in the Land of blacks, long SPLA/M,long live JEM and SLM the struggle continue .
sudani
Egypt expels Darfur SLM representative
I was personally astonished & mystified , when I saw in the TV , right after Omdurman attack , that they have an office in Cairo .
Imagine if this happened to Egypt / Cairo , & some egyptian came up in Aljazeera talking about it , then what would Cairo feel ????
It is a big mistake that has been done by the egyptian , and they better try to correct it quickly , because no one is above such raids .( 09/11)
We could let the egyptians in Sudan also practice politics & then expell them after THE FAS FALLS IN THE RAS !!!!
I was actually expecting a strong reaction from Sudan Government , and consequently a stronger reaction from Egypt.
Not just expelling them !!!
alex taban
Egypt expels Darfur SLM representative
i am realy suprise to hear that egyptian government has expel the SLM repersentative from their country (egypt). you egyptian claim that you are for peace but you are not, what i will say about you is that you are the enemy of Afircan and we as african are going to open our eyes on you because we know where your strength is. i am telling you one day SPLA/M, SLM and JEM will see themselvs as african, you and your stupid bashir will cry the time is coming and it is approching soon don’t forget my words we are still on stragle no peace yet even in south sudan.