Sudan: the Forgotten Red Sea Nation of Bejas / Blemmyes, and their Struggle for Self-Determination
Dr. Muhammad Shamsaddin Megalommatis
March 06, 2010
Originally a Western desert nomadic nation attested in Ancient Egyptian Hieroglyphic texts, the Medjay crossed into the Eastern desert in the times of the Late Antiquity, and called Blehu and Blemmyes, fascinated the Ancient Greek and Roman travelers up to the point of becoming the object of an extraordinary legendary account, Blemmyomachia – the Fight of the Blemmyes. They then isolated themselves beyond the desert, in the enthralling landscape of the Eastern Africa Cordillera that separates the Red Sea coastland from the African inland, spanning from the Suez Canal area to the Straits of Bab al Mandeb region in the southernmost confines of Eritrea.
Most of the Bejas live today in Sudan whereas minorities inhabit also Eritrea (northernmost confines) and Egypt (southeastern border area). The Bejas have been marginalized in Sudan since the inception of the pan-Arabist, colonial state that serves the interests of the colonial powers by means of persecution, war and genocide performed against the very diverse African nations that have been unfortunately entrapped therein. Prevention of national integrity, destruction of historical identity, and elimination of the cultural authenticity of every colonized nation are the epitome of the ongoing, evil, colonial plan.
The Blemmyes / Bejas are a Kushitic nation that speak Arabic only because at a certain moment in the past they accepted Islam. They are not of Semitic, Arab descent and their socio-behavioural system and cultural identity are totally irrelevant to the Arabian peninsula, as typically African – Kushitic.
The Arabic speaking Sudanese population of Central Sudan ruled the country, following the monstrous colonial patterns that we have attested in so many other parts of Africa, totally depriving the Bejas from their civil and human rights and applying, in their case as well, a terrorist arabization program that is the equivalent of cultural genocide. The Bejas strongly and successfully opposed the evil plans of the Khartoum gangsters, and of their masters at London, Paris and Washington, but this happened at the cost of the Bejas´ total marginalization and pauperization. As oppressed and tyrannized nation, the Bejas became unwanted foreigners in their own land, as Khartoum exported Pan-Arabist administration and military in Kessala, Atbarah, Sawakin and Port Sudan. This is in fact only a part of the overall African Genocide that was machinated by the Freemasonic Orientalist academia, diplomacy and military of England and France in order to subdue and control the entire world.
Quite unfortunately, and despite their economically comfortable and politically powerful situation, the Arabic speaking Sudanese populations of Central Sudan who ruled the country since 1956 are also the victims of the Pan-Arabist theory that was compiled in Paris and London more than 100 years before Sudan´s independence and thence projected onto all targeted nations (not only Sudan).
Sudan´s ruling ethnic group does not consist of Arabs but of African Kushites, who developed the great pre-Christian, Kushitic and Meroitic civilizations and the magnificent Makurian and Alodian Christian civilizations, being integrated into the great African state that the Ancient Egyptians called Kas (Kush) and the Ancient Greeks and Romans named Ethiopia (which is the real Ethiopia, totally unrelated to Abyssinia that has been fallacious renamed ´Ethiopia´).
The Arabic speaking Sudanese population of Central Sudan, by falling victims of the Pan-Arabist falsehood, dissociated themselves from the Oromos, the Sidamas, the Kaffas, the Kambaatas and other modern Kushitic nations who are also the descendents of the Ancient Kushites (the true and real Ethiopians).
More recently, the Bejas have become a continuous target for the Khartoum regime which despite the East Sudan Peace Agreement (signed in October 2006) did not stop its anti-Beja marginalization policies and arabization practices.
I published in the past a few articles focused on the Blemmyes / Bejas and their duty to elaborate a National Beja History to address the needs of their primary and secondary education whereby the new Beja generations will be able to efficiently preserve their identity and properly assess their great historical past.
Here are the links to these articles:
1) http://www.buzzle.com/editorials/8-16-2006-105657.asp and
http://www.sudaneseonline.com/en2/publish/Articles_and_Analysies_12/Sudan_s_Beja_Blemmyes_and_their_Right_to_Freedom_a_929.shtml
2) http://www.buzzle.com/articles/freedom-for-dirar-ahmed-dirar-independence-for-sudans-beja-blemmyes.html
In the present article, I republish several news, articles and features about the troublesome situation in which the Bejas live in today´s pre-electoral Sudan whereby Beja Congress supporters are attacked in an effort to ensure victory for the ruling gang of general Al Bashir. Several pieces are taken from an informative blogspot (http://adroub.blogspot.com) that consists in a worldwide point of reference for Beja affairs. Eastern Sudan and more particularly the Kessala state are considered one of Sudan´s poorest regions, and in a selected feature a full explanation for this fact is offered. The Beja Congress represents the principal political formation of the Bejas and, during their struggle for political survival in the impending electoral fraud, they underscored in a Press release the need for impeachment of the still unpunished perpetrators of the notorious Port Sudan massacre (January 2005). A portrait of the Beja Congress and a report about their rejection of the recent Eastern Sudan census result complete the outline. A last feature highlights the importance of Beja Land in terms of natural resources that are the principal target of the Khartoum kleptocrats and tyrants.
In forthcoming articles, I will shed more light and make widely available the East Sudan Peace Agreement that was never properly respected by Khartoum.
1. Election violence - Beja Congress Supporters Attacked
http://adroub.blogspot.com/2010_02_01_archive.html
February 23, 2010
Al-Sahafa reports that bloody clashes erupted yesterday between a group loyal to Presidential Assistant Musa Mohamed Ahmed and militias loyal to the NCP leader Suleiman Ali Beetai of Hamishureib [Hamishkoreb] Religious Schools. Seven of the Beja Congress´ supporters were wounded, one seriously.
Beja Congress Party spokesperson Salah Barkuein said a delegation from the party visited "Talkuk" area for elections campaigning but they were ambushed by the Beitai´s militias commanded by his son Mahmoud Beitai, SAF captain.
Comment: What we have here is a failure to understand the democratic process. This process is supposed to work because everyone has an opportunity for free speech, to say what they want. Decisions about what people say are made at the ballot box. The Beja Congress team was there to do some elections campaigning. Good for them. However, a military man loyal to the political party that is also the current governmental party has decided that alternative voices calling for alternative policies are unwelcome, and further, that these unwelcome voices need to be silenced through physical intimidation.
This brings shame upon the NCP, and might actually increase the desire to hear the Beja Congress policies, if they are so threatening to the current regime.
Telkuk is in Red Sea State, about 60 km southeast of Tokar, and about 20 km from the Eritrean border.
Update [from Feb 24 UNMIS media report] It turns out that four of the Beja Congress fellows who were attacked were candidates!!
"Kassala says security measures to prevent poll-related incidents. The Kassala State High Elections Committee has downplayed a recent attack by NCP supporters on four Beja Congress candidates in the state, reports Akhir Lahza. The head of the State Security Committee, Mohamed Abdel moneim, described the incident as "normal". He said his committee took measures to prevent recurrence of such incidents."
2. Kassala State is the Poorest in Sudan, says UN
February 19, 2010
18 February 2010 - (Kassala) - The United Nations Refugee Agency, the UNHCR, says Kassala state is one the poorest states in Sudan because it has been neglected by both the government and the international community.
In an interview with SRS in Kassala town on Wednesday, the Head of UNHCR´s Kassala office, Dr. Mohamed Dualeh explains why he thinks Kassala is the poorest state in Sudan.
Dr. Mohamed Dualeh]: "Kassala state is one of the poorest in Sudan. It is poorer than some parts of Darfur and a lot of the south. But, if you look at all the indicators, it is a neglected part of the country. Neglected by the international community, neglected by the UN, neglected by UN agencies, there was little aid coming in as a peace dividend after the signing of the Eastern Peace Agreement. Therefore, I think there is no justification now not to provide the assistance the east needs. We are waiting to see it happen. Not just words, but action. Action from the UN, action from the donors, and action from the government."
Dr. Dualeh describes the indicators that he says suggest that Kassala the poorest state in Sudan.
Dr. Mohamed Dualeh]: "Maternal mortality is very high, child mortality is very high and illiteracy is also very high. I think 57% of people who live in Kassala state do not read and write. Unemployment is very high but at the same time, this is a border state. In the last few years the rains were very erratic, there were less rains. Therefore, there is a drought looming. If there is a failure in terms of agricultural production as well as unemployment, with all other indicators, I think we may run into emergencies in the long term unless we can prevent it now."
Comparing life in Kassala state with life in the refugee camps, Dr. Dualeh claims that refugees in camps in Eastern Sudan receive better services than the host communities.
Dr. Mohamed Dualeh]: "Refugees receive better services than the neighboring Sudanese villages. They receive better water systems, they receive better education, they receive better health care than the neighboring villages and I think if we want to do justice, we should be doing justice for those Sudanese living in the surrounding villages. I wish you had gone to Umgargora Refugee camp and the next village, Karkora they are identical villages. Umugargora receives everything, the other one does not receive anything. Therefore, if you want to do justice, I think we should be doing justice for the local population in the area."
Dr. Mohamed Dualeh was talking to SRS in Kassala.
Sourced from http://www.sudanradio.org/kassala-state-poorest-sudan-unhcr
3. Port Sudan Massacre - BC Press Release
http://adroub.blogspot.com/2010/01/beja-congress-press-release.html
January 31. 2010
This photo not part of the press release. Photo portrays a man in a hospital [morgue?] on January 29, 2005.
Contents of press release.
The Beja Congress demands the trial of the Port Sudan massacre and Condemns the violation of Human rights in Sudan
In a demonstration before the Sudanese Embassy in Washington DC
Today Friday Jan. 29th 2010 the Baja people of Eastern Sudan, from the United States and Canada , joined by Sudanese human right activist from all parts of Sudan in the US to demonstrate and commemorate the Port Sudan Massacre against Baja people and demand Justice and accountability.
We, members of the Beja congress, the political party of the Beja people of north eastern Sudan , appeal to the international community and to all human rights organizations to support all efforts to bring the Port Sudan massacre criminals to the international court.
On the 29th January 2005 the Beja people organized a peaceful demonstration carrying a petition demanding the end of their marginalization, democracy, development, and an end to the armed confrontation at the eastern border through peaceful negotiations. Instead of accepting the petition the government forces came and shot down 21, injured several hundred and arrested many of the demonstrators. This is the first time in the history of Sudan that such a brutality occurred to peaceful demonstrators. The killing of the ethnic Beja youth was their target.
We consider this reaction a grave violation to the basic human rights and an act of racial discrimination. The criminals have never been questioned. They hold top posts in the government in Khartoum . We strongly demand the arrest of the criminals and their trial by the international criminal court. As it is evident in Darfur war crimes, there is no possibility to process such cases in Sudan . The international community is requested to help to bring the criminals to justice. They should not go unpunished.
Further, we condemns the recent arrest of political opposition leaders in Port Sudan and in other parts of our country and demand freedom of expression and demonstration to all political parties and the carrying out of free elections by implementing the rules of democracy and recognition of the basic human rights.
Beja Congress , USA & Canada Chapter
For more information please contact:
Mr. Ibrahim T. Ahmed (mail: adrob215@yahoo.com)
4. Sudan Embassy demonstration - video
http://adroub.blogspot.com/2010_03_01_archive.html
A remembrance of the Beja people who died in Port Sudan on January 29, 2005. This demonstration was a call for justice from the Sudan government, represented by their embassy in Washington, DC, USA.
In a previous post, the reasons for the demonstration were explained.
http://adroub.blogspot.com/2010/01/beja-congress-press-release.html
5. Beja Congress Party (Mu'tamar al-Bija)
http://www.gurtong.net/Governance/PoliticalParties/BejaCongressParty/tabid/406/Default.aspx
The BC is one of the oldest parties of Sudan with origins dating back to the times before Sudan achieved independence in 1956. It was formally founded in 1958 when educated professionals and notables of the Eastern Sudanese Beja peoples convened a congress in Port Sudan under the leadership of Dr. Taha Osman Bileya, a medical doctor. Emphasizing the marginalization of the Beja by the central government it called for autonomy in Eastern Sudan within a federal system, for industrial and social development of the peripheries and for the inclusion of Eastern Sudanese in the government. At the same time it rejected the traditional affiliations with sectarian parties. However, briefly after the founding congress the coup d' état of General Abboud took place and the BC was banned like all other parties. After Abboud's downfall it won ten seats in the parliamentary election of 1965 and joined the first government of Umma's Mohamed Ahmed Mahgoub (1965-1966).
During the one-party rule of Jafar Nimeri (1969-1985) the BC was again dissolved like all other traditional parties but kept on recruiting members. It resurfaced after the end of Nimeri's regime and entered into an alliance with the Nuba-based Sudan National Party of the Reverend Philip Abbas Gabboush. Its main objectives were the implementation of a federal system, the development of the peripheries as well as the struggle against the establishment of an Islamic state and the introduction of Sharia.
After the military takeover of 1989 the BC was again disbanded like all other parties but continued its opposition activities. In 1994 it decided to take up arms against the Khartoum government and joined the opposition umbrella National Democratic Alliance (NDA). In coordination with the SPLA/M its fighters conducted strikes against military installations and the new oil pipeline gaining control over areas in the Red Sea Hills and Kassala region along the Eritrean border. Unlike the SPLM/A the BC did not claim the right for self-determination but promoted a united Sudan which respects the rights of minorities. In 2005 the BC joined the "Rashaida Free Lions" to form the "Eastern Front". After the model of the Comprehensive Peace Agreement (CPA) the BC signed in 2006 the "Eastern Sudan Peace Agreement" with the aim of power-sharing and boosting development in Eastern Sudan. In 2007 BC chairman Mussa Mohammed Ahmed was sworn in as presidential assistant. The BC continues to focus on federalism and development of the peripheries. In the field of foreign affairs, it demands arbitration for the Halaib Triangle which is disputed between Sudan and Egypt.
Official website: http://bejacongress.com
6. Beja Congress Rejects Eastern Sudan Census Result
http://www.reliefweb.int/rw/rwb.nsf/db900SID/MUMA-7SBB7F?OpenDocument
Source: Miraya FM
Date: 22 May 2009
The Beja Congress has announced its rejection of the eastern Sudan census result, which put the population in the region at more than three million and nine hundred thousand people.
The Spokesperson of the Beja Congress, Salah Barkwin, said the census results of Eastern Sudan do not reflect actual population figures of the region.
Barkwin added that these results will be studied at the level of the three eastern States and Counties to come up with a proper decision.
The breakdown of the 5th Population Census results has revealed a clear disparity in the population figures of different states of Sudan.
It indicated Khartoum as the highest populated State by having more than five million people, followed by South Darfur and Al Jazeera States.
Regarding southern Sudan, Jonglei State is reported to be the highest populated State with more than one million people, while Western Bahr el Ghazal State recorded as the least populated in the south and Sudan as a whole by having more than three hundred thousand people.
The General Supervisor of the Fifth Population Census, Dr. Yassin Al Haj Abdeen, said during a press conference held in Khartoum yesterday that Sudan's overall population is more than thirty nine million people of which eight million are in southern Sudan.
South Sudan also rejects
The Government of Southern Sudan has severely criticized the announcement of the 5th Population Census results.
The Minister of Presidential Affairs, Dr. Luka Biong, told Miraya FM that the Presidency did not reach a consensus over passing the final results before the official announcement.
Biong added that some figures in the results are illogic, such as the sharp rise in Darfur's population and the minimized population of the Southern Sudanese in the north.
He further revealed that Vice President, Salva kiir Mayardit, has proposed to Presidency not to rely on census results during the upcoming elections, nor use it as basis for power and wealth sharing in Sudan.
However, Dr. Biong pointed that the Government of South Sudan will study the step before making a final stance.
Previously, the Government of Southern Sudan has expected south Sudan's population to consist at least one third of the country's total population, which exceeds the officially announced figures.
On repeated occasions, the SPLM had warned of endorsing any census figures that do not meet its expectations.
Meanwhile, the Chairman of the United Democratic Front (UDF), Peter Abdelrahaman Sule, described south Sudan's census results as regretful.
7. Gold discovered in the Nubian Desert
http://adroub.blogspot.com/2010_01_01_archive.html
(http://www.skyscrapercity.com/showthread.php?t=1048813)
January 23, 2010
The Jordanian paper Al Rai reported in October, 2009 that a local company had discovered gold in commercial quantities in the Nubian Desert.
Brinsley Enterprises said it has has explored more than 15 sites that contain gold and precious metals on its 15,000 square kilometers in its concession area in Sudan. Brinsley has discovered 7.5 tons of gold in one site in the early exploration stage.
A follow-up report by Reuters, compiled from Sudanese news sources on January 19, 2010 states that commercial production will begin in the middle of 2011. Other sites may provide a further 10-15 tonnes of gold.
About this subject, Arabic readership can find further info and picture here:
http://alnilin.com/news.php?action=show&id=19267
Note
Picture: Eastern Sudan is the Beja Land. A map.
Between the cities Kessala and Atbarah and the Red Sea coastline of Sudan, and from the Eritrean frontier to the Egyptian border, Beja language must be the first means of communication in the education and the administration.
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