Maghreb Edition

Egypt: Sisi wants to be reelected ASAP, before switch to flexible exchange rate that could exacerbate social tensionsF



Posted On 25 September 2023

Number of times this article was read : 2585

Egypt will hold a presidential vote on December 10-12, the election authority said Monday, with the winner to be announced by December 18. President Abdel Fattah al-Sisi, a former army chief, has ruled for nearly a decade in the Arab world’s most populous country, which is now mired in a deep economic crisis.

Experts had predicted Sisi would move forward the 2024 election, ahead of a possible switch to a flexible exchange rate that could exacerbate social tensions.

Sisi was first elected in 2014 after leading the ouster of elected Islamist president Mohamed Morsi, and then won a 2018 vote in a landslide against one of his own political allies.

Presidential hopefuls can apply from October, and the list of candidates is to be finalised by November 9, said Walid Hassan Hamza, chairman of Egypt’s National Election Authority.

The vote comes at a time Egypt’s currency has lost half its value since March 2022 and inflation reached an all-time high of 39.7 percent in August. The government has kept the exchange rate pegged since early this year.

AFP

Podcast: Development Without Aid: Power, Politics, and Local Resilience in the Global South$

A conversation with Dr. Kate Schecter, President and CEO of World Neighbors, on how community-led development works in practice across the Global South.

Subscribe to Urgent Notifications and Newsletter

Most Recent Stories from the Region

Mali: Russian-linked Forces Under Drone Pressure in Northern Mali$

Armed groups in northern Mali are shifting toward repeatable FPV drone strikes against Malian army and Russian-linked Africa Corps positions. Recent attacks in Anéfis and Aguelhok indicate a tactical evolution that challenges the assumption of operational sanctuary in the Kidal region.

Niger Turns to Local Self-Defense Units to Contain Growing Insecurity$

Niger has formalized local self-defense units known as Domol Leydi as violence intensifies across its borders, reflecting a shift toward community-based security in response to expanding militant activity and limited state reach.

Egypt Cuts Nighttime Economy to Reduce Electricity Consumption$

Egypt has imposed a nationwide 9 p.m. curfew on shops, restaurants, and entertainment venues to reduce electricity consumption amid rising energy costs and supply disruptions linked to the war in Iran.

Written by The North Africa Journal

The North Africa Journal is a leading English-language publication focused on North Africa. The Journal covers primarily the Maghreb region and expands its general coverage to the Sahel, Egypt, and beyond, when events in those regions affect the broader North Africa geography. The Journal does not have any affiliation with any institution and has been independent since its founding in 1996. Our position is to always bring our best analysis of events affecting the region, and remain as neutral as humanly possible. Our coverage is not limited to one single topic, but ranges from economic and political affairs, to security, defense, social and environmental issues. We rely on our full staff analysts and editors to bring you best-in-class analysis. We also work with sister company MEA Risk LLC, to leverage the presence on the ground of a solid network of contributors and experts. Information on MEA Risk can be found at www.MEA-Risk.com.