Egypt Media Roundup (2 October)

[This is a roundup of news articles and other materials circulating on Egypt and reflects a wide variety of opinions. It does not reflect the views of the Egypt Page Editors or of Jadaliyya. You may send your own recommendations for inclusion in each week's roundup to egypt@jadaliyya.com by Sunday night of every week.]

Political Rights

Writer and activist Alaa Abd El Fattah arrested from police probation

The family of Alaa Abd El Fattah, well-known writer, activist, and software developer, reported on Sunday morning that he did not emerge from the Dokki police station, where he sleeps every night as part of a legally contested five-year probation sentence.

Egypt MPs ask the government 'not to export problems to the president and parliament'

In an opening procedural session on Tuesday, Egypt MPs said Egypt is facing a hostile campaign aimed at destabilizing the country and spreading chaos, and that all should join shoulders at this critical stage to stand up to this campaign.

A presidential directive to freeze Parliament

Parliamentary and security sources told Mada Masr that President Abdel Fattah al-Sisi has issued a directive to freeze the operations of Parliament, as the president is unsatisfied with the performance of the legislative body and its speaker.

Egypt's Sisi approves law regulating medical profession

President Abdel Fattah al-Sisi approved Monday law No. 153/2019 amending some provisions of medical profession law No. 415/1945 after it had been passed by the parliament.

Egypt's parliament to discuss 'Friday protests' ‎when it reconvenes Tuesday

Following a three-month summer recess, Egypt's ‎parliament–the House of Representatives–will ‎reconvene on Tuesday for the fifth, and last, season of its five-year ‎term.

Despite release of at least 96 detainees, calls for more ‘open’ political process, tense security situation highlighted by arrest of lawyers persists

At least ninety-six detainees, including twenty minors, swept up following the 20 September protests in the largest arrest campaign since President Abdel Fattah al-Sisi came into office, were released from police stations in the governorates of Suez, Alexandria, Damietta, and Port Said on Monday, according to lawyers and rights groups.

Heavy security clampdown on anti-Sisi protests as state mobilizes supporters to rally

While thousands of demonstrators gathered at the Unknown Soldier Memorial in Cairo’s Nasr City district to chant, dance, and wave flags in a show of support for President Abdel Fattah al-Sisi, small-scale scattered protests against the president emerged, amid heavily blocked and securitized roads across Cairo.

Egypt military court sets 13 October to sentence 43 involved in 2017 Wahat terrorist attack

An Egyptian military court has set 13 October for the sentencing of forty-three defendants involved in the deadly Wahat terrorist attack that killed sixteen policemen and left thirteen injured in late 2017.

Biggest wave of arrests since Sisi took office: 1909 people detained

A wide and aggressive sweep by security forces continues, with at least 1,909 people arrested as of early Thursday morning, according to the Egyptian Center for Economic and Social Rights. This arrest campaign, which began after anti-regime protests erupted last weekend, is the largest since President Abdel Fattah al-Sisi formally took power on a counter-terrorism mandate in 2014.

Foreign Policy

Renaissance Dam negotiations between Egypt and Ethiopia ‘stumbling’ as talks set to resume next week

President Abdel Fattah al-Sisi’s address to the United Nations General Assembly last week, as well his speech at a youth conference earlier this month, reflected a prevailing pessimism among Egyptian officials regarding ongoing negotiations with Ethiopia over the Grand Ethiopian Renaissance Dam (GERD), government sources told Mada Masr.

Egypt participates in six-nation 'Red Wave 2' naval drills in Saudi Arabia

According to the statement, the "Red Wave 2" drills aimed to strengthen the maritime security of countries on the Red Sea, enhance military cooperation, and exchange combat experience.

Economy

Account deficit rose to $8.2 billion in FY 2018/2019: CBE

The Central Bank of Egypt has announced that the balance of payments recorded an overall deficit of 8.2 billion US dollars during FY 2018/2019, as the overall surplus of 1.7 billion US dollars during the second half of the year broadly offset the overall deficit during the first half of the year.

Egypt's finance ministry auctions T-bills worth EGP 19 bln

Egypt's finance ministry has auctioned treasury bills at a total value of nineteen billion Egyptian pounds.

Egypt's supply ministry restores 1.8 mln citizens to ration card system

Egypt's supply ministry said on Tuesday that 1.8 million citizens have been restored to the ration card system during the period between February and September, after having been excluded.

Domestic Security

Egyptian police kill 15 terrorists in North Sinai shootout

Egypt’s Ministry of Interior said in statement on Sunday that police killed fifteen terrorists during a shootout in al-Arish, the capital city of North Sinai.

Egypt Armed Forces kills 118 takfiris in anti-terrorism operations in north, central Sinai; 10 army personnel killed, injured: Statement

Egypt’s armed forces said that it destroyed dozens of terrorist hideouts and killed 118 takfiri elements in north and central Sinai during its operations to eliminate terrorism in all strategic directions in the country in the past period.