EGYPT: Nearly 2,000 arrested as anti-Sisi protests rage on

Egyptian authorities have reportedly nabbed no less than 2,000 protesters as demonstrations broke out in several cities last week calling on el-Sisi to resign, human rights groups say.

Security forces detained several prominent Egyptian intellectuals and public figures, including Hassan Nafaa, a political science professor at Cairo University and well-known columnist.

“I have no doubt that the continuation of el-Sisi’s absolute rule will lead to disaster,” Nafaa said in a tweet on Tuesday, a day before he was arrested. “Egypt’s interest requires his departure today before tomorrow.”

Critics say the crackdown reflects the government’s insecurity and vulnerability at a critical time as Egypt’s economic woes intensify for the poor and middle class.

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“The government’s mass arrests and internet restrictions seem intended to scare Egyptians away from protesting and to leave them in the dark about what’s happening in the country,” said Sarah Leah Whitson, Middle East and North Africa director at Human Rights Watch.

“The nationwide crackdown on protests suggests that President Abdel Fattah el-Sisi is terrified of Egyptians’ criticisms.”

The on-going protests in Egypt erupted after a call from Mohamed Ali, an Egyptian businessman living in self-imposed exile in Spain who has been posting videos on social media since 2 September that accuse President Sisi and the military of corruption.

Mr Ali had urged Egyptians to take to the streets on Friday to demand the president step down, and has also called for a “million-strong protest” this Friday.

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