Egypt bars Sudanese official from entering disputed border region: report
December 9, 2009 (KHARTOUM) – The Egyptian authorities banned the Sudanese presidential assistant Musa Mohamed Ahmed from entering the disputed border region of Halayeb, Sudanese media reported today.
This is the first time Sudan reveals the presence of Sudanese army personnel inside the Red Sea border area which Cairo moved to assert control over in the mid-nineties.
The Sudanese official stressed that the area Halayeb is Sudanese and cannot be forsaken “under any circumstances”.
He said that Egyptian border patrols prevented him from entering by closing the main gate despite their knowledge of his planned visit.
Two Sudanese parliamentarians representing the region said that this is not the first time an incident like this happens to an official adding that it was meant to undermine the “dignity of the state”.
The issue of Halayeb came to surface last October when the Sudanese electoral commission took a surprise decision and announced that the residents of Halayeb will be allowed to register as voters in the elections saying that they are Sudanese citizens with constitutional rights under the color of law.
However, Egypt informally objected to the decision and conveyed messages to the Sudanese government saying the matter is a “red line” given Cairo’s long standing assertions that the area is part of its territory.
A few weeks later the Sudanese presidential adviser Mustafa Ismail visited Cairo and downplayed the dispute saying that the electoral commission did not consult with the government before making its decision.
The Beja Congress, a political group comprised mainly of ethnic tribes in Eastern Sudan and headed by Musa Mohamed Ahmed, is pressing Khartoum to take action on the dispute with Egypt up to and including resorting to international arbitration.
However, many observers say that Khartoum is reluctant on bringing up the issue with Egypt as it seeks the latter’s political backing particularly with regards to the row with the International Criminal Court (ICC) which issued an arrest warrant for Sudanese president Omer Hassan Al-Bashir.
The Halayeb triangle that overlooks the Red Sea has been a source of tension between the two countries as early as 1958, shortly after Sudan gained independence from British-Egyptian rule.
The border issue was laid to rest until the 1990’s when relations between the two countries worsened over accusations that Sudan is harboring Islamic militant groups seeking to overthrow the Egyptian regime.
A failed attempt on the life of the Egyptian president Hosni Mubarak was blamed on Khartoum after which Cairo assumed full control over the area.
(ST)
Kur
Egypt bars Sudanese official from entering disputed border region: report
Why are they not fighting the Egyptians? It is absurd for armed soldiers to live under occupation. They have to either surrender or fight the Egyptians. The Sudanese army fights only the Sudanese but not those who occupy the Sudanese land. Coward evils.
Kur
Lual Garang De Lual
Egypt bars Sudanese official from entering disputed border region: report
It is very interesting to learn that Al Bashire is selling Sudan territories for his immunity from prosecution. He thinks that Egypt will oust him if he challenges them.
Mr. Oshay see how fearful is your father to give away a Sudan territories while he always blame the west for hidden agenda of regime change. What is now happening that a well known area by international community as part of Sudan is now occupied by sovereign state claiming it to be their while the very president who claimed to be is sitting back.
I laugh when i see this frighten fugitive playing with our sovereign teeritories for his protection from Egypt.
Sudan virus
Egypt bars Sudanese official from entering disputed border region: report
Wadihalfa,Halayeb and Port Sudan are all areas belonging to Egypt during the British Egyptian rule in Sudan.
It was at the independence time that port Sudan was officially offered to Sudan.
David_N
Egypt bars Sudanese official from entering disputed border region: report
The best way is that Egypt should give back Halayeb triangle to Sudan, since that territory never belongs to ancient Egyptian Pharaonic era, yet, Egypt has right to take back all the way south towards 300 miles North from Khartoum, which belongs to Nubian peoples of Ancient Kush of Pharaonic era.
So, Nubians belongs to Egypt, but Bejas are not, they are Ethiopians, so give back Halayeb to Africans.
Time1
Egypt bars Sudanese official from entering disputed border region: report
Sudanese just forget about Halayeb, the NCP in a secret conspiracy meeting has awarded the territory to Egypt and in return they Egyptian president promise to support the NCP president Omer bashir against all charges or arrests by ICC.
Forget Halayeb it has been sold by the coward war criminal leader Omer bashir.
The only way to recover Halayeb will be through resistance Front, any other options will not work with the Egyptians,
Why do you people think NCP is quite about the issue? because of the secret deal which awards the territory to Egypt without any resistances.
Esperantisto
Egypt bars Sudanese official from entering disputed border region: report
As a simple man of a disputed border region in Central Europe, it’s very obvious that I support Sudan and its people in every way. I had the great opportunity to visit the Triangle and its loveable people 5 years ago, and I said to everyone: I was in Sudan, not in Egypt. The Triangle was/is/will be an integral part of Sudan and I was happy to see trucks and houses wearing Sudanese flags, when I was there.