Nubians want to start own political party

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CAIRO, Feb. 22 (UPI) -- Egyptian Nubians say they are hoping to form a political party that will work to counter what they feel is neglect and marginalization of the ethnic minority.

The Nubian Nile Party is in the process of collecting the 1,000 signatures required to form a political party, Ahram Online reported Thrusday.

The party would be open to Egyptians of all ethnicities but spokesman Adel Moussa said its agenda would focus on issues important to Nubians.

"We have deep roots in Egypt," he said. "We reject those who question our Egyptian identity and commitment to Egypt." 



Nubians represent an estimated 3 million of Egypt's population of 87 million.

About 50,000 Nubians were forced to relocate when the Aswan Dam was built on their land in the 1960s and many have complained they were never compensated by the state.

Activists said last year that Nubians were not adequately represented in the constituent assembly, which drafted Egypt's new constitution.