Date: Thu, 11 Sep 2014 17:41:10 +0200
Egypt reiterates 'full sovereignty' over Halayeb border land with Sudan
Earlier this week Sudan claimed that a border region between the two
countries falls under its electoral constituency, which Egypt has dismissed
Ahram Online, Thursday 11 Sep 2014
http://english.ahram.org.eg/App_Themes/Black/images/line_re.jpg
Egypt's foreign ministry on Wednesday reiterated its sovereignty over the
border region of Halayeb and Shalateen, over which a dispute with
neighboring Sudan has lingered for decades.
The Halayeb Triangle region, located on Egypt's southern borders with Sudan
and comprising three cities, has been a source of tension between both
countries since Sudan gained independence from joint Britain and Egyptian
rule in 1956, with rows occurring at times over the right to manage the
region's petroleum resources.
On Wednesday, Sudan's supreme electoral committee said Halayeb is among
electoral districts of the country's 2015 presidential and parliamentary
elections, due in April 2015 - remarks Egypt has swiftly quashed.
Later in the day, foreign ministry spokesperson Bader Abdel-Atty said the
"claims" are meant to "incite a rift between Egypt and Sudan," as quoted by
Egypt's state news agency MENA.
"Egyptian lands are not subject to retail and Egypt has full sovereignty
over its territory," Abdel-Atty said.
It is not the first time that the region has been listed amongst Sudan's
constituencies. Abdel-Atty added that the media's tackling of the issue,
whether in Sudan or Egypt, is aimed to disturb relations between the two
states.
Cairo currently exercises control over the territory, inhibited by tribes
that trace their roots to both Sudan and Egypt. The triangle comprises the
cities of Halayeb, Abu Ramad and Shalateen.
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