CAIRO: Bedouin tribes formed two political parties called the Arab Party for Justice and Equality and the Egyptian-Arab Unity Party aimed at engaging Bedouins in political life and promoting citizenship.
The founders of both parties said that Bedouin tribes constitute the core of their parties but aren’t exclusive to them. They also welcome members from across the spectrum of Egyptian society.
"These communities have been neglected for a long time especially those living in the desert, and their patriotism and loyalty to the country have always been questioned," said Omar Semeida, founder of the Egyptian-Arab Unity Party.
"We want to provide these communities with a legitimate entity that allows them to participate actively and prove their loyalty to the country," he added.
The Arab Party for Justice and Equality was founded earlier by prominent Sinai figure Ali Freg from Al-Ahywat tribe, and aims at promoting justice and equality according to the principles of the January 25 Revolution.
The party’s headquarters is in Cairo and has branches across 20 governorates.
Semeida said his party promote citizenship rights, a free market economy, justice and development and call for the development of Sinai and the settlement of Bedouins there.
He said that Bedouin tribes from the west in Matrouh, El-Wahat and Fayoum as well as tribes from Upper Egypt and the Eastern desert expressed an interest in joining the party.
Al-Tarabin tribe, the biggest in Egypt, joined Semeida’s party.
"We are depending on a group of founders who enjoy strong connections across the tribes and have been attracting tribes to the party," said Semeida, member of Al-Hanady Tribe.
The party is getting ready to submit its papers to the parties committee within 14 days.
"We aim to reach a million and a half members and have a strong presence in the upcoming parliament as we have a strong base of members who enjoy great popularity in their constituencies," Semeida said.
Freg, former head of the North Sinai local council and current head of the Arab Tribes Association, said that his party aims to attract 10 million members within the next six months.
Bedouin tribes have been holding talks to create political entities that would represent them.
Earlier this month Al-Ahwyat tribe organized a conference comprising all Bedouin tribes. It was attended by presidential candidate Amr Moussa at Al-Qadesia village near Ismailia.
