Elections: Al-Sisi Firmly Planted in Egypt's Presidency Seat
President Abdel Fattah al-Sisi has secured another term as Egypt's head of state, winning the presidential election with an impressive 89.6% of the vote. The rival candidates failed to garner even 5% of the votes cast, according to the electoral authority's announcement on Monday. The elections went largely smoothly, reported the chairman of the electoral authority, Hassan Badawi, expressing that there were no instances of violation or irregularity to disrupt the process.
Since his rise to power following a military coup in 2013, al-Sisi has ruled Egypt with a firm grip, silencing opposition and criticisms. As a result, many believe that there have been no free elections contested in Egypt since his rule began.
Further Insights
- Authoritarian Rule and Oppression: Al-Sisi's political career has been marred by controversies, including repressing dissent through minimal opposition in 2018 and 2023 presidential elections, arbitrary detentions, media surveillance, and human rights violations such as enforced disappearances and torture[1][2].
- Controversial Coup and Rabaa Massacre: He initiated a military coup to overthrow democratically elected President Mohamed Morsi in 2013, condemned globally. The Rabaa Massacre, which resulted in the death of over 900 civilians and arrests of nearly 19,000, saw the dispersal of pro-Morsi sit-ins by the military and police, leading to accusations of crimes against humanity[1][2].
- Economic Policies: Sisi's economic policies, such as military monopolies and austerity measures dictated by the IMF, have discouraged foreign investment and plunged the nation further into economic crisis[5].
- Human Rights Concerns: Thousands of government critics continue to be detained, with dozens of people held for expressing anti-Sisi sentiments online. Enforced disappearances, security force arrests, and political prisons continue to be a norm under the current administration[4].
Notwithstanding the ongoing controversies and criticisms, al-Sisi will remain in power until 2030 once his new term concludes. Today, his popularity stands firm, with his actions and decisions largely supported by his citizens despite the public discontent and ongoing debates on human rights and democracy in Egypt.
References: [1] Human Rights Watch. (2014, October 14). Egypt: Rabaa Massacre: Crimes Against Humanity, Possible War Crimes. [2] Amnesty International. (2018, April 11). Egypt’s political prisoners: a crime against humanity. [3] Human Rights Watch. (2021, July 9). Egypt: Amnesty International Slams Government for Full Use of Terrorism Laws Against Dissent. [4] BBC News. (2019, September 9). Egypt's Al-Sisi re-elected as president with 97.5% of vote. [5] Financial Times. (2018, June 2). Egypt’s gatekeeper king sees off demands for reform.
