For two consecutive days, Egyptian President Abdel Fattah al-Sisi headed the second round of the National Youth Forum, this time taking place in the southern city of Aswan. The president did not address the decades-old lingering issue of Nubian displacement. While he spoke of making Aswan a hub to African cultures, the historical city is struggling to keep its own culture alive.

“The government is striving to turn attention away from the displacement issue,” said activist Seham Osman, describing how efforts and investments are being poured in the new Nasr al-Nuba area.

Pro-state business tycoon Ahmed Abou Hashima is investing in Nasr al-Nuba. In December, he opened the New Toshka Village, and the company he heads, Egyptian Steel, even released a song for the occasion. The Principal Bank for Development & Agricultural Credit opened up a branch in Nasr al-Nuba, offering greatly facilitated loans as low as 4,000 Egyptian pounds ($242) for establishing projects in the new area. The only condition is being a resident there. The government has also allocated 270 million Egyptian pounds ($16.4 million) to develop Nasr al-Nuba villages.

“I reject investments in Nasr al-Nuba and will continue to fight for our right to return to our original lands,” said rights lawyer Mohamed Azmy.