The most interesting border in the world is between Egypt and Sudan. Birtavil is unclaimed, alone as terra nullius.
On the border between Egypt and Sudan, it is one of the most peculiar regions in history. For more than 60 years, there has been no fixed population, which can only be inhabited by the nomadic population. Neither Egypt nor Sudan claims to Bertavir Tavir, a dispute that lasted more than 100 years ago and raised a litany of legal questions and challenges. Nowhere better is the impact of history on countries and borders, with constant problems. But how did this land come about, and who can claim it?
Biltaville's background
The history of Bertavir dates back to the British occupation of Egypt in 1882. Ostensibly a short-term solution to protect Britain's monetary interests in the country, in reality, Britain wanted to control local trade, weaken the Ottoman Empire, and strengthen its position around the Suez Canal. What followed was turmoil throughout the region.
The British army suffered several defeats in Egypt. The final blow occurred in 1885 at the Siege of Khartoum and the death of General Charles Gordon, a widely respected imperial hero by the public. British troops withdraw from Sudan. In 1896, Lord Salisbury, who was re-appointed Prime Minister, ordered a campaign to secure the source of the Nile and deter other world powers from doing the same. The movement was led by Herbert Kitchener, who argued that the occupation of Sudan was essential to protect Egypt and secure trade routes to India. During the struggle for Africa, British troops quickly entered Sudan and subsequently met French forces at Fasoda. The confrontation between the two armies has triggered a diplomatic incident that will lead to the division of East Africa and West Africa North Africa. The Battle of Omdurman in 1898 was a decisive victory for the Mahd, and the British ensured the security of the area.
Bill Tavel's lines were drawn
This newly conquered region now needs to be managed. Britain was increasingly involved in Egypt, and Sudan was currently under Egyptian control with a hidden protectorate. The two were separated in 1899, a year after Kitchener came to power. The redrawing of borders followed a pattern similar to that of the European powers mapping the rest of Africa, using straight lines and without regard for geographical, cultural or ethnic differences. But recognizing the mistake, Britain quickly changed its position and in 1902 redrew the map along administrative lines. This gave Egypt control over the nomadic Abadba tribe and had closer cultural ties with the tribe. The Sultan was allowed further into the Red Sea and the Beja tribes north of the original line.
When these two maps are superimposed on each other, the two newly created areas stand out and the two newly created areas stand out. To the south of the original boundary is Bir Twele and to the north is the Hala'ib Triangle. The second boundary will be retained for the time being. British direct control over Sudan and de facto control over Egypt meant that any issues were resolved quickly. Problems will arise only when they achieve independence in the next century.
Sudan became independent in 1956, and the border issue was once again bogged down. Egypt recognized the 1899 borders, while the newly formed Government of the Sudan chose to redraw the 1902 borders. This is because the Halajib Triangle is more valuable, with valuable resources, access to the Red Sea and a fixed population. By comparison, Biltavir is mostly empty. If either side claims to Bertavil, they lose their claim to the triangle. Biltaville thus became terra nullius, unclaimed by any country.
The first confrontation between the two countries occurred in 1958, when Sudan tried to hold elections in the triangle region. Egypt sent troops into the region in an attempt to boost nationalist fervor ahead of a referendum on the reunification of Egypt and Syria. After an outcry from the international community, these forces were quickly withdrawn, Sudan slowly established its presence in the region, and the Hala'ib triangle participated in all Sudanese elections until the 1990s. However, both the Triangle and Biltaville are under joint administrative control. As Sudan's executive power waned at the turn of the century, Egypt managed to take control of Hala'ib, pouring significant resources into the region.
The 21st century has seen an impasse because neither side has been able to fully assert its claims. Egypt retains de facto control, and its military prevents any attempt by Sudanese to register voters. In addition, the Government of Egypt has continued to relocate its administrative posts south of the triangle to restrict access to the Sudan. These bureaucratic attempts to siphoned Sudanese influence away from the region have been largely successful, with little opposition from the United Nations or other African countries. However, a key reason why Sudan will never leave the triangle completely is that the ethnic makeup of Halajib is still closer to Sudan.
With both countries and the international community focused on the Hala'ib Triangle, Bertavir remains largely forgotten. The lack of development and attention meant that both sides ignored it in their quest for a more valuable triangle and access to the East. Birtavel remains one of the only unclaimed livable places in the world.
A flurry of adventurers poured in, each trying to make their own history and find a way to exploit unclaimed territory. Jeremiah Heaton traveled to Birtaville in 2014 and planted his own flag in the area, claiming the territory as his own and naming it the Northern Sultanate. Heaton gives his justification for his alleged conquest that he can make his seven-year-old daughter the official princess she's always dreamed of. Heaton's rationale for planting the flag was that despite the presence of nomads in the area, the land was said to be empty.
Heaton's claim was quickly dismissed by the United Nations and the flag removed, but that didn't stop others from trying to make the equally dangerous journey through the desert. Zhkhalev and Mikhail raised their flags in the region, and a few years later the Indian businessman Dixit raised his own. Like Heaton's attempt, these were quickly rejected, but the Bill Tavel issue still presents an interesting challenge for legal scholars and international organizations. Since neither of the two neighboring countries claims to it, and the viability of a settled life exists, is it worth formally deciding which border is legal?
The Birtaville and Halajib triangle seems to be an issue that has no quick fix. Britain's haphazard maps left a problem that had remained unchecked for more than five decades when they governed Egypt and Sudan as part of African administration. As the issue resurfaced, both Egypt and Sudan wanted to strengthen their rule, using attempts to seize the triangle to unite their own people.
In light of Sudan's recent struggles, Egypt is slowly taking control of the Hala'ib triangle. Since the population of Halayib is more closely linked to Sudan, this is unlikely to be welcomed. Birtavil remains unclaimed. The strongest claims probably belong to the nomadic tribes that live there. If the United Nations reaches a solution, it will set a substantive precedent for whether similar problems arise in the future. The recognition of both political and administrative boundaries (1899) and administrative boundaries (1902) could lead to further claims around the world and a re-examination of the historical legitimacy of borders. Solutions may emerge and action by Egypt or Sudan is needed to provide clear answers.