Sisi attempts to soothe Egyptians' fears
Sisi attempts to soothe Egyptians' fears
Analysis: In a recent televised speech the Egyptian president discussed many of the important political, social and economic issues affecting Egypt.
3 min read
Egypt carried out airstrikes in Libya after IS killed 21 Coptic Christians [Anadolu]
Egyptian President Abdel Fattah al-Sisi's speech broadcast on Sunday focused on reassuring the Egyptian people about the political, economic and social problems the country is facing.
Sisi's address lasted 45 minutes and was broadcast on both state and private TV channels.
The broadcast contained footage of Sisi's foreign tours and of the Egyptian army's military operations in the Sinai. It also addressed important issues such as Egypt's military strike on Libya on 16 February, recordings leaked on 7 February of Sisi insulting Gulf states, poor living conditions and the internal political situation.
The president also addressed issues affecting agricultural production [Ar] and the rehabilitation of slums. However, he failed to discuss the removal of subsidies, or equal pay or the minimum wage.
Discussing airstrikes on Libya, Sisi said they were in response to the killing of 21 Coptic Christians by the Islamic State group (IS, formerly known as Isis) as shown in a video aired on 15 February. He repeatedly emphasised that Egypt had no interest in invading another country - while failing to mention the dozens of civilians who had died or were injured in the airstrikes on Libya.
The president also failed to mention those killed on an almost daily basis in the Sinai [Ar] including women and children, by the Egyptian army's military operations and indiscriminate shelling of residential areas.
Sisi also thanked Arab rulers who had sent their condolences after the Egyptian Christians were killed in Libya, and those who supported Egypt in its fight against "terrorist organisations". Sisi went on to outline Egypt's commitment to the formation of a united Arab force to confront regional threats.
The president also said the Egyptian judiciary would prosecute criminals and anyone failing to take action against them, referring especially to the case of Shimaa al-Sabbagh, a peaceful protester shot in Cairo on 24 January, and to the football fans killed during rioting outside a stadium in Cairo on 8 February.
Over the past few months, Sisi has released press statements and speeches denying the imprisonment of any innocent people [Ar]. However, in his latest speech he acknowledged some prisoners were innocent, but he failed to mention how those responsible for their imprisonment would be punished, or how those wrongfully detained would be released and compensated.
He also failed to discuss the fates of Islamist opposition prisoners arrested and imprisoned without evidence.
Sisi also discussed recent talks with Gulf leaders, and confirmed Egypt's strong relations with Gulf countries. However, he did not deny the recent release of leaked recordings in which he derided these wealthy nations.
Discussing economic issues, Sisi said that Egypt was preparing a draft unified investment law. However, he did not discuss ways in which stable conditions could be created to boost the economy or to encourage investment.
This article is an edited translation from our Arabic edition.
Sisi's address lasted 45 minutes and was broadcast on both state and private TV channels.
The broadcast contained footage of Sisi's foreign tours and of the Egyptian army's military operations in the Sinai. It also addressed important issues such as Egypt's military strike on Libya on 16 February, recordings leaked on 7 February of Sisi insulting Gulf states, poor living conditions and the internal political situation.
The president also addressed issues affecting agricultural production [Ar] and the rehabilitation of slums. However, he failed to discuss the removal of subsidies, or equal pay or the minimum wage.
Discussing airstrikes on Libya, Sisi said they were in response to the killing of 21 Coptic Christians by the Islamic State group (IS, formerly known as Isis) as shown in a video aired on 15 February. He repeatedly emphasised that Egypt had no interest in invading another country - while failing to mention the dozens of civilians who had died or were injured in the airstrikes on Libya.
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Sisi failed to mention those killed on an almost daily basis in the Sinai, including women and children. |
The president also failed to mention those killed on an almost daily basis in the Sinai [Ar] including women and children, by the Egyptian army's military operations and indiscriminate shelling of residential areas.
Sisi also thanked Arab rulers who had sent their condolences after the Egyptian Christians were killed in Libya, and those who supported Egypt in its fight against "terrorist organisations". Sisi went on to outline Egypt's commitment to the formation of a united Arab force to confront regional threats.
The president also said the Egyptian judiciary would prosecute criminals and anyone failing to take action against them, referring especially to the case of Shimaa al-Sabbagh, a peaceful protester shot in Cairo on 24 January, and to the football fans killed during rioting outside a stadium in Cairo on 8 February.
| HRW: Egyptian police killed Shimaa al-Sabbagh. Read more here. |
Over the past few months, Sisi has released press statements and speeches denying the imprisonment of any innocent people [Ar]. However, in his latest speech he acknowledged some prisoners were innocent, but he failed to mention how those responsible for their imprisonment would be punished, or how those wrongfully detained would be released and compensated.
He also failed to discuss the fates of Islamist opposition prisoners arrested and imprisoned without evidence.
Sisi also discussed recent talks with Gulf leaders, and confirmed Egypt's strong relations with Gulf countries. However, he did not deny the recent release of leaked recordings in which he derided these wealthy nations.
Discussing economic issues, Sisi said that Egypt was preparing a draft unified investment law. However, he did not discuss ways in which stable conditions could be created to boost the economy or to encourage investment.
This article is an edited translation from our Arabic edition.
