Somalilandsun-Egypt’s current president, Abdel Fattah el-Sisi, has garnered international support and legitimacy by acting tough on terrorism – a justification he’s used as cover for widespread repression that is strangling dissent, eliminating political opponents and fuelling increased violence.
In its latest in-depth article, Saferworld explores the ramifications of this aggressive counter-terrorism strategy in Egypt – including Egypt’s hidden war in the Sinai Peninsula.
The government’s violent persecution of political opponents as ‘terrorists’ is driving those with legitimate grievances into the arms of violent groups for protection and redress. If Western governments truly want to tackle this problem they must re-examine their relationships with states like Egypt, which will not solve its violence problem without restoring human rights, democracy and free speech.
Read: We need to talk about Egypt: how brutal ‘counter-terrorism’ is failing Egypt and its allies
