Nubian issue a 'time bomb'

Egyptian political analysts have predicted the country’s Nubian issue could become a time bomb for the Muslim Brotherhood-led government, if it continues its current approach of alleged marginalisation. Expatriate Nubians have demanded international involvement to resolve the problem, while some activists have welcomed the emergence of armed movements vowing to fight for independence from the rest of Egypt. One young Nubian, Amr Ashry, told Arabstoday he had sustained “plenty of abuse” during the reign of former dictator Hosni Mubarak but that Egypt’s January 25 revolution had done little to change things. “There is still a need for justice for all Egyptians, regardless of their affiliations,” he said. “Nubians should return to their land,” Ashry claimed, “and claim their economic and social rights, as promised during the Egyptian revolution.” Political activist Ashraf Mekawy resented what he called “marginalisation,” claiming the country’s Constituent Assembly and draft constitution had failed to represent Nubians in central government. “The current regime is just adopting the same approach as its predecessor,” he said. “The authorities accuse us residents near the borders of committing treason.” Expatriate Nubians have meanwhile threatened to “internationalise” the Nubain issue by taking complaints to the United Nations and other global bodies, in attempts to restore land rights. Nubian Union founder Hamdy Soliman revealed that Nubian communities abroad had already organised protests in countries across the world – though particularly in the US – in front of Egyptian embassies. The emergence of the Katala Movement – an indigenous armed group with links to movements inside Sudan – had raised international awareness of the Nubian issue inside Egypt, Soliman claimed. Katala have previously made it clear they demand independence from the rule of the Muslim Brotherhood, not from Egyptian sovereignty itself. Movement representatives have even warned that if President Mohammed Morsi remains in power, armed insurrection could follow. A Nubian lawyer, Kadry Abdel-Wahab, has meanwhile announced his Nubian Lawyers Committee will begin a sustained legal battle to secure Nubian land rights. “Success will come from legal escalation not from internationalisation,” he said.