Avoid strife... especially in difficult times

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I am following with concern the deterioration in the ongoing dialogue on social media pages regarding the relationship between the brotherly Egyptian and Sudanese peoples.

It is not my intention to comment here on the recent Egyptian intervention to stop gold prospecting work near the border, nor the attack that took place in Khartoum on a group of Egyptians, which resulted in the killing of two and the injury of a third. The seriousness and accuracy of the issue, and concern for the relationship between the two countries, necessitate leaving it to those in control and not turning it into a hot media issue. I call on others to be patient, because it is clear that the concerned authorities in both countries are seeking to contain the repercussions of what happened.

I do not say the above because I am a supporter of silence in general and leaving politics to those in charge. Rather, I believe that it is our right, as citizens and commentators, to follow the actions of the government and the state in all economic, political, and social fields, and to evaluate these actions, criticize them when necessary, and highlight their successes when they are achieved.

But it is necessary to distinguish between what is permissible to follow up, evaluate, and dispute regarding public issues, and what needs to be dealt with carefully and calmly, especially with regard to national security.

Our relationship with brotherly Sudan deserves this concern perhaps more than any other foreign file. Sudan is our historical neighbor, and our southern gateway, and from it the waters of the Nile flow to us, and there is a fierce civil war for which its people are paying dearly, and to its south there is a dangerous international conflict taking place to build military bases, control Bab al-Mandab, control the sources of the Nile, and exploit mineral wealth. Regardless of the disagreement over specific issues, and this is normal between two neighbors and two brothers, our interest will always be with Sudan regaining its stability, security, and independence, with the end of its internal wars, and with work to achieve economic and social development.

The last thing we need now is to throw more fuel on an already burning fire, or to fuel strife that is still dormant, and it is our duty to nip it in the cradle.

But if patience and deliberation are required on the political side, then there is something that must be done in the popular and humanitarian spheres in order to stem this escalating strife. By this I mean our position towards our brothers from the Sudanese people, whether they have been residing here for a while or those who were forced by the civil war into temporary displacement, leaving their families, property and lives and searching for a safe haven in Egypt.

The numbers of immigrants in recent years may have exceeded what was expected, and there may be an economic price for hosting them under already difficult economic conditions. But our Sudanese people residing with us, despite their large numbers, have always shown calm and friendly behavior, and are keen to engage in normal life without tension or creating crises, and to maintain neighborly and friendly relations with the people of the country, and to work in the available fields, and waiting to return to their country, their people, and their interests at the first opportunity.

These people are not responsible for the actions of gold mining gangs on the border, nor for the heinous and deplorable crime that befell our children in Khartoum. Rather, they are victims of war, division, and economic devastation in their country, and it is our duty to host, protect and welcome them until their ordeal ends and they return to their homeland safely. Although it is natural that there are a few among them who violate the law or misbehave, it is also natural that these individual cases be dealt with with the required firmness with every violator of the law, without disturbing the relationship between the two peoples. Those who respect the country, its regime and its people, and they are the overwhelming majority, our people and our guests, and together we will overcome adversity and crises.

Quoted from “Al-Masry Al-Youm”.