Usumain Baraka

Last updated
Usumain Tukuny Baraka
Born (1994-11-15) 15 November 1994 (age 29)
Darfur, Republic of Sudan
Education Interdisciplinary Center Herzliya
Occupation(s)Activist for international and Israeli Darfuri community

Usumain Tukuny Baraka is a Sudanese activist and asylum seeker living in Israel. He is a leader of Israel's asylum-seeking community and the first Darfuri refugee to graduate from a Hebrew-language program in an Israeli university.

Contents

Biography

Usumain Baraka was born in Darfur, Sudan [1] [2] in the small village of Dirata, [3] close to the city of Geneina. He is a member of the Masalit people. At age 9, the Darfur genocide came to his village, and Janjaweed militants killed his father—the leader of his village—and brother. [1] [4] Baraka fled on foot through the jungle and found shelter in a refugee camp in Chad with his mother and sisters. [1] [5]

After three years in the refugee camp, Baraka left in search of a normal life and education, [6] He traveled through Libya and Egypt. [1] [7] In Egypt, he saw a television program on the history of the Jewish people and the Holocaust. [1] In 2008, he paid Bedouin smugglers to take him across the desert into Israel. [8] [9] Upon reaching Israel, he had no shoes. The first Israeli soldier he encountered took off his own shoes and socks and gave them to Baraka. [10]

Baraka submitted an asylum application in 2013, [11] [12] and received humanitarian temporary residency status. [13]

In December 2020, Baraka's brother Sayid Ismael Baraka, who had received American citizenship after being resettled there as a refugee, traveled to El-Geneina, Sudan, to visit family. [14] He was murdered inside his own home by violent militias on January 16, 2021. [15]

Education and national service

Baraka received his high school diploma from Yemin Orde, [1] a Jewish [16] boarding school for at-risk and immigrant youth near Haifa, Israel. After completing high school, Baraka hoped to enlist in the Israel Defense Forces, but was prevented due to his lack of Israeli citizenship. [16] Instead, he completed a year and a half of volunteer service. [17] He frequently returns to Yemin Orde to give inspirational talks to current students. [18]

Baraka graduated from the Interdisciplinary Center Herzliya in 2019 with a bachelor's degree in Government and Diplomacy Relations. [16] After completing his bachelor's degree, he enrolled in a Master's program [19] in Public Policy, also at the IDC [19] [20] and graduated in summer 2020. [21] During his first degree he was a volunteer member of the IDC student union. [22] Baraka completed his studies in Hebrew, one of five languages he speaks, and is the first refugee in Israel to gain a master's degree in Hebrew. [13]

Baraka co-authored the paper "‘She Died While Missing Us’: Experiences of Family Separation Among African Refugees in Israel" along with Dr. Hadas Yaron Mesgena, published in the book Forced Migration and Separated Families: Everyday Insecurities and Transnational Strategies . [23]

Political activism

Baraka is a Co-Founder of the African Students Organization in Israel. From 2016 to 2019 he served as the organisation's Education Director, and took over as the CEO in January 2019. [24] In 2019 he gave a keynote address at the organization's inaugural annual conference. [25]

Baraka makes frequent appearances on Israeli television, radio, and print media, where he represents the asylum-seeking community. He appeared on Kan 11 February 2020 [26] following Benjamin Netanyahu's meeting in Uganda with Abdel Fattah al-Burhan. [27] He appeared on 103fm and in Haaretz in August 2020 [28] [29] following an announcement that Israel and Sudan were undergoing peace talks. [30] He was also featured on an episode of the Israeli television series 'Slicha al hashe'ela' or Excuse the Question, which discussed African asylum seekers in Israel. [31] In April 2020, he was the subject of a Kan 11 mini-documentary, which described his activism to help fellow asylum seekers in Israel during the Coronavirus pandemic. [32]

Baraka also gives tours and lectures to groups in English and Hebrew on the topic of asylum seekers in Israel, the Darfur genocide, and South Tel Aviv. [22] He also runs a Hebrew language school for fellow asylum seekers in Israel, through which he teaches Hebrew to dozens of asylum seekers from Darfur and elsewhere. [13]

On June 28, 2017, Baraka spoke to the Israeli Knesset on behalf of asylum seekers in Israel. [33]

Following his brother's murder in 2021, Baraka spoke out about the dangers presented by Sudan's interim government, run by perpetrators of the genocide in 2003. [34] He both spoke to other journalists and authored an op-ed on the subject, published in Israel's Haaretz newspaper. [35]

Related Research Articles

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Darfur</span> Region of western Sudan

Darfur is a region of western Sudan. Dār is an Arabic word meaning "home [of]" – the region was named Dardaju while ruled by the Daju, who migrated from Meroë c. 350 AD, and it was renamed Dartunjur when the Tunjur ruled the area. Darfur was an independent sultanate for several hundred years until 1874, when it fell to the Sudanese warlord Rabih az-Zubayr. The region was later invaded and incorporated into Sudan by Anglo-Egyptian forces in 1916. As an administrative region, Darfur is divided into five federal states: Central Darfur, East Darfur, North Darfur, South Darfur and West Darfur. Because of the War in Darfur between Sudanese government forces and the indigenous population, the region has been in a state of humanitarian emergency and genocide since 2003. The factors include religious and ethnic rivalry, and the rivalry between farmers and herders.

The Masalit are an ethnic group inhabiting western Sudan and eastern Chad. They speak the Masalit language.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">War in Darfur</span> Genocidal conflict in Southwestern Sudan

The War in Darfur, also nicknamed the Land Cruiser War, was a major armed conflict in the Darfur region of Sudan that began in February 2003 when the Sudan Liberation Movement (SLM) and the Justice and Equality Movement (JEM) rebel groups began fighting against the government of Sudan, which they accused of oppressing Darfur's non-Arab population. The government responded to attacks by carrying out a campaign of ethnic cleansing against Darfur's non-Arabs. This resulted in the death of hundreds of thousands of civilians and the indictment of Sudan's president, Omar al-Bashir, for genocide, war crimes, and crimes against humanity by the International Criminal Court.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Beni Halba tribe</span>

The Beni Halba is an Arab group located in the western Sudanese region of Darfur. The Beni Halba is one of the major Darfuri Baggara groups, along with the Habbaniya, Rizeigat and Ta’isha, and was granted a large hakura in southern Darfur by the sultans of independent Dar Fur. During the 1980s, recurring drought in Chad prompted several clans of Beni Halba to migrate eastwards and join their kinspeople between Geneina and Kebkabiya and Kutum. In the late 1980s, the ideology then sweeping through the region combining Arab supremacy and Islamic extremism was taken up by many Beni Halba. Under Nazir al-Hadi Issa Debaker, the Beni Halba were actively involved in attacks upon the Fur people starting in 1987 through 1989. In this period a new militia called the Janjaweed, partially drawing upon the Beni Halba, was first formed. In 1991 the Sudan People's Liberation Army, then fighting the Second Sudanese Civil War in the south of the country, sent a force under Daud Bolad to expand the conflict into Darfur. However, Bolad's force was annihilated by a combination of the army and Beni Halba fursan ("horsemen"), who then carried out reprisal attacks against Fur civilians. As a result, the Beni Halba district town of Idd al Ghanam was renamed Idd al Fursan.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">History of Darfur</span>

Throughout its history, Darfur has been the home to several cultures and kingdoms, such as the Daju and Tunjur kingdoms. The recorded history of Darfur begins in the seventeenth century, with the foundation of the Fur Sultanate by the Keira dynasty. In 1875, the Anglo-Egyptian condominium in Khartoum ended the dynasty. The British allowed Darfur a measure of autonomy until formal annexation in 1916. However, the region remained underdeveloped through the period of colonial rule and after independence in 1956. The majority of national resources were directed toward the riverine Arabs clustered along the Nile near Khartoum. This pattern of structural inequality and overly underdevelopment resulted in increasing restiveness among Darfuris. The influence of regional geopolitics and war by proxy, coupled with economic hardship and environmental degradation, from soon after independence led to sporadic armed resistance from the mid-1980s. The continued violence culminated in an armed resistance movement around 2003.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Chad–Sudan relations</span> Bilateral relations

The populations of eastern Chad and western Sudan established social and religious ties long before either nation's independence, and these remained strong despite disputes between governments. In recent times, relations have been strained due to the conflict in Darfur and a civil war in Chad, which both governments accuse the other of supporting.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Sudanese in Israel</span>

Sudanese refugees in Israel refers to citizens of Sudan who have sought refuge in Israel due to military conflict at home, and to those who moved there illegally as migrant workers. In 2008, there were 4,000 Sudanese in Israel, 1,200 from Darfur and the remainder Christians from South Sudan. The majority entered through the Israeli-Egypt border. Most live in Tel Aviv, Arad, Eilat and Bnei Brak.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">African immigration to Israel</span> Movement from Africa to Israel of people that are not natives or Israeli citizens

African immigration to Israel is the international movement to Israel from Africa of people that are not natives or do not possess Israeli citizenship in order to settle or reside there. This phenomenon began in the second half of the 2000s, when a large number of people from Africa entered Israel, mainly through the then-lightly fenced border between Israel and Egypt in the Sinai Peninsula. According to the data of the Israeli Interior Ministry, 26,635 people arrived illegally in this way by July 2010, and over 55,000 by January 2012. In an attempt to curb the influx, Israel constructed the Egypt–Israel barrier. Since its completion in December 2013, the barrier has almost completely stopped the immigration of Africans into Israel across the Sinai border.

Sudanese refugees are persons originating from the country of Sudan, but seeking refuge outside the borders of their native country. In recent history, Sudan has been the stage for prolonged conflicts and civil wars, as well as environmental changes, namely desertification. These forces have resulted not only in violence and famine but also the forced migration of large numbers of the Sudanese population, both inside and outside the country's borders. Given the expansive geographic territory of Sudan, and the regional and ethnic tensions and conflicts, much of the forced migration in Sudan has been internal. Yet, these populations are not immune to similar issues that typically accompany refugeedom, including economic hardship and providing themselves and their families with sustenance and basic needs. With the creation of a South Sudanese state, questions surrounding southern Sudanese IDPs may become questions of South Sudanese refugees.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Israel–South Sudan relations</span> Bilateral relations

Israel – South Sudan relations refers to the bilateral ties between the State of Israel and the Republic of South Sudan.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Israel–Sudan relations</span> Bilateral relations

Israel and Sudan relations refers to diplomatic ties between Israel and Sudan. In October 2020, the two countries announced that they would establish diplomatic relations. In February 2023 they established diplomatic relations officially.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Israeli policy for non-Jewish African refugees</span> Aspect of Israeli immigration policy

The term, non-Jewish African refugees, primarily refers to the Sudanese and Eritrean refugee population migrating to Israel through the Sinai Desert. Israeli policy concerning these refugees has evolved from a policy of neutrality to a policy of deterrence. These refugees began arriving in Israel in the 21st century, led by Bedouin smugglers. The current non-Jewish African refugee population in Israel is approximately 36,000.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">2019–2022 Sudanese protests</span> Protests against the military of Sudan

The 2019–2022 Sudanese protests were street protests in Sudan which began in mid-September 2019, during Sudan's transition to democracy, about issues which included the nomination of a new Chief Justice and Attorney General, the killing of civilians by the Rapid Support Forces (RSF), the toxic effects of cyanide and mercury from gold mining in Northern state and South Kordofan, opposition to a state governor in el-Gadarif and to show trials of Sudanese Professionals Association (SPA) coordinators, and advocating the dismissal of previous-government officials in Red Sea, White Nile, and South Darfur. The protests follow the Sudanese Revolution's street protests and civil disobedience of the early September 2019 transfer of executive power to the country's Sovereignty Council, civilian prime minister Abdalla Hamdok, and his cabinet of ministers. Hamdok described the 39-month transition period as defined by the aims of the revolution.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Hotline for Refugees and Migrants</span>

The Hotline for Refugees and Migrants (Hotline) is a human rights organization that utilizes direct service provision, litigation, and advocacy to uphold the rights of refugees, migrant workers, and survivors of human trafficking in Israel. In Hebrew, the organization is known as המוקד לפליטים ולמהגרים (hamoked l'plitim v l'mehagrim).

Abdelaziz Baraka Sakin is a Sudanese fiction writer with roots in Darfur in western Sudan, whose literary work was banned in Sudan in 2011. Since 2012, he has lived in exile in Austria. He is mostly known for his novels The Messiah of Darfur and The Jungo, translated from the original Arabic into French, English, Spanish and German.

Events in the year 2020 in Sudan.

Events in the year 2021 in Sudan.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Battle of Geneina</span> Battle of the Darfur campaign of the 2023 Sudan conflict

The Battle of Geneina, also known as the Geneina massacre, was a battle for control of Geneina, the capital of West Darfur in Sudan, between the paramilitary Rapid Support Forces (RSF) and the Sudanese Armed Forces (SAF). By 25 April 2023, fighting intensified and devolved along tribal lines, with Masalit and non-Arab peoples supporting the SAF and the aligned Joint Darfur Force—consisting of former rebel groups including the Sudan Liberation Movement/Army and the Justice and Equality Movement—against the RSF and allied Arab militias.

Beginning on April 21, 2022, clashes broke out between Janjaweed and Masalit civilians in the Kreinik refugee camp near El Geneina, West Darfur. These led to massacres over the following days by Janjaweed and the Rapid Support Forces, with hundreds of civilians killed.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">2023 Masalit genocide</span> 2023 genocide in Sudan

In 2023, multiple massacres have been perpetrated by the RSF in many towns in Darfur during the Sudan war. Such massacres include the Ardamata massacre, Misterei massacre and the Geneina massacre, all of which targeted Masalit civilians. These massacres were described by The Economist, Genocide Watch, US academic Eric Reeves, and Khamis Abakar, as a "genocide".

References

  1. 1 2 3 4 5 6 "These African asylum seekers came to Israel alone as kids. Now they could face deportation: 'Israel is part of who I am'". Haaretz.
  2. ↑ Usumain (Ismail) Baraka - Takiru. YouTube . Archived from the original on 2021-12-09.
  3. ↑ "Africans Seeking Refuge in the Promised Land". JISS. March 27, 2018.
  4. ↑ "Sudanese nationals in Israel fear deportation after peace deal". ynetnews. October 27, 2020.
  5. ↑ "Sudanese Nationals in Israel Fear Deportation after Peace Deal". The Media Line. October 26, 2020.
  6. ↑ "Sudanese in Israel fear being returned after normalisation". au.finance.yahoo.com.
  7. ↑ "Sudanese Nationals in Israel Fear Deportation after Peace Deal". Jewish Journal. October 27, 2020.
  8. ↑ "Why I'm Inviting an Asylum Seeker to My Seder". 22 March 2018.
  9. ↑ "Real Steel: Usumain Baraka". November 26, 2016.
  10. ↑ "Why I'm Inviting an Asylum Seeker to My Seder". March 22, 2018.
  11. ↑ "Sudan deal plunges migrants in Israel into new uncertainty". Star Tribune.
  12. ↑ "Sudan deal plunges migrants in Israel into new uncertainty". AP News. 20 April 2021.
  13. 1 2 3 "Darfuri refugee dreams of building bridges between the states of Israel and Sudan". UNHCR.
  14. ↑ "Death toll from violence in Sudan's West Darfur rises to 83". Daily Herald.
  15. ↑ "Sudan troops deployed in Darfur after clashes kill 155". MSN News.
  16. 1 2 3 "Raised and schooled in Israel, these young Africans could be sent back to a country they do not know". Washington Post.
  17. ↑ Green, Emma (January 30, 2018). "African Deportations Are Creating a Religious Controversy in Israel". The Atlantic.
  18. ↑ "Graduate Day Offers Opportunities to Receive and to Give Back". ImpactIsrael. January 22, 2020.
  19. 1 2 "Darfuris in Israel Are Grateful, But Challenges Continue". HIAS.
  20. ↑ Rosenblatt, Gary. "Despite Tough Treatment, African Migrants Praise Israel". jewishweek.timesofisrael.com.
  21. ↑ LAVALLÉE, Guillaume. "Sudanese in Israel fear deportation after normalization, say they face danger". www.timesofisrael.com.
  22. 1 2 "אגודת הסטודנטים הבינתחומי הרצליה - IDC Student Union". www.facebook.com.
  23. ↑ Forced Migration and Separated Families Everyday Insecurities and Transnational Strategies. Marja Tiilikainen, Johanna Hiitola, Abdirashid A. Ismail, Jaana Palander. 2023. pp. 79–94.
  24. ↑ "Our Team xxx – African Students Organization in Israel".
  25. ↑ African Students in Israel First Conference 2019 Section 1. YouTube . Archived from the original on 2021-12-09.
  26. ↑ אוסומעין ברקה בראיון לרומי נוימרק - חדשות כאן 11. YouTube . Archived from the original on 2021-12-09.
  27. ↑ "Netanyahu, Sudanese leader meet in Uganda, agree to start normalizing ties". Haaretz.
  28. ↑ "103FM - גולן יוכפז וענת דוידוב - דרך השלום?". 103FM - האזנה לרדיו און ליין.
  29. ↑ "גם אם יושג הסכם שלום, הדרך להשבת מבקשי המקלט לסודאן ארוכה ורצופה מכשולים". הארץ.
  30. ↑ Boxerman, Aaron; Newman, Marissa. "Sudan and Israel say talks underway for deal to normalize ties". www.timesofisrael.com.
  31. ↑ Archived at Ghostarchive and the Wayback Machine : סליחה על השאלה | פליטים - שידור בכורה ביוטיוב. YouTube .
  32. ↑ "דוקותיים: אוסומעין" – via www.facebook.com.
  33. ↑ "Protocol No. 250 From a meeting of the State Audit Committee Wednesday, Wednesday, June 28, 2017, 9:00 AM". Nevo.
  34. ↑ "Ethnic clashes in Darfur could reignite Sudan's old conflict". The Washington Post.
  35. ↑ Baraka, Usumain. "My Brother, a U.S. Citizen, Was Murdered in Darfur. Departure of Peacekeepers Is a Travesty".
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