Over the past decade, Egypt has seen the collapse of its brief democratic experiment and a return to authoritarian rule under the leadership of Abdel Fattah el-Sisi. The promises of the Arab Spring in 2011, which briefly filled the streets of Cairo and other Egyptian cities with hopes of freedom and democracy, have faded into a harsh reality of dictatorship, repression, and human rights abuses. This article delves into the factors that led to Egypt’s current political situation, how the state has consolidated power, and the consequences of repression for the country’s citizens and its future.
The Rise and Fall of Egypt’s Democratic Experiment
In 2011, Egypt was at the center of the Arab Spring, a wave of popular protests across the Middle East that called for political change, democracy, and an end to decades of dictatorship. Under pressure from the streets, long-serving President Hosni Mubarak, who had ruled Egypt with an iron fist for nearly 30 years, stepped down. His resignation marked a historic moment as Egypt seemed to be on the cusp of democratic transition.
The country held its first free and fair elections in 2012, leading to the election of Mohamed Morsi, a candidate from the Muslim Brotherhood, an Islamist organization that had long been repressed under Mubarak. However, Morsi’s tenure was fraught with controversy. While his administration faced significant opposition from secular and liberal groups, economic instability, and institutional sabotage from remnants of the Mubarak regime, Morsi also made several missteps, including issuing a decree that expanded his powers and sidelined judicial oversight. This move sparked mass protests against his government, which ultimately led to his downfall.
In July 2013, General Abdel Fattah el-Sisi, the head of the Egyptian Armed Forces, led a military coup that ousted Morsi from power. Sisi’s government immediately suspended the constitution and launched a campaign against the Muslim Brotherhood and other opposition groups. While Sisi claimed that the coup was necessary to restore stability and avoid further chaos, it was clear that Egypt was headed back towards authoritarian rule.
Sisi’s Consolidation of Power
After the coup, Abdel Fattah el-Sisi quickly moved to consolidate his power. He cracked down on the Muslim Brotherhood, declaring it a terrorist organization, and arrested thousands of its members and supporters. The state unleashed a wave of repression against not just Islamists, but also liberals, activists, and journalists. In 2014, Sisi ran for president in an election that was widely seen as neither free nor fair. He won with an overwhelming majority, cementing his control over the country.
Sisi’s government systematically dismantled the gains of the 2011 revolution. The media, once a platform for dissent, was heavily censored, with journalists facing arrest and imprisonment for reporting on sensitive political issues. Internationally renowned photojournalist Mahmoud Abu Zeid, known as Shawkan, was arrested in 2013 while covering a protest and spent five years in prison, exemplifying the state’s attitude towards freedom of the press.
Civil society organizations, which had flourished briefly after the Arab Spring, were systematically dismantled through restrictive laws and intimidation. NGOs working on human rights issues were forced to shut down, and activists were routinely detained. One of the most prominent figures of the 2011 revolution, Alaa Abdel-Fattah, remains imprisoned under Sisi’s government for his political activism. Human rights organizations, including Amnesty International, have repeatedly condemned Egypt’s government for its crackdown on peaceful dissent and civil liberties.
Human Rights Abuses and the State of Repression
Under Sisi’s regime, Egypt has become notorious for human rights abuses. The government has used draconian measures to maintain its grip on power, with reports of widespread torture, forced disappearances, and arbitrary detentions. According to Human Rights Watch, Egypt’s security forces have engaged in systematic torture in detention centers, often targeting political opponents, journalists, and activists.
One of the most egregious examples of repression occurred in 2013, when security forces carried out a brutal massacre at Rabaa al-Adawiya Square, where supporters of Mohamed Morsi had gathered to protest his ousting. In what has been described as one of the largest killings of demonstrators in a single day in modern history, security forces killed over 800 people, according to human rights groups. This incident marked a turning point in Egypt’s post-revolution history, as it signaled the state’s willingness to use overwhelming violence to quash dissent.
The government’s repression extends to nearly all sectors of society. The judicial system has become a tool for the state to silence opposition. Thousands of civilians have been tried in military courts, with many receiving harsh sentences, including the death penalty. In some cases, entire groups of individuals have been sentenced to death in mass trials that international observers have called a mockery of justice. Egypt now ranks among the highest countries in the world for its use of capital punishment.
Freedom of assembly has also been severely restricted. The state of emergency, which has been in place since 2017, gives the government sweeping powers to detain individuals and prevent protests. Those who attempt to organize or participate in demonstrations face arrest and imprisonment. The law effectively makes it impossible for any meaningful opposition to emerge.
Economic Mismanagement and Public Discontent
While Sisi has claimed to prioritize economic stability and development, his government’s economic policies have largely failed to improve the lives of ordinary Egyptians. Egypt has struggled with high levels of inflation, a weakening currency, and growing unemployment, particularly among the youth. To secure loans from the International Monetary Fund (IMF), the government implemented austerity measures that slashed subsidies on essential goods, leading to widespread public discontent.
Despite massive infrastructure projects such as the expansion of the Suez Canal and the construction of a new administrative capital, Egypt’s economic woes persist. These projects have been criticized for prioritizing showpiece developments over addressing the real needs of the population, such as improving education, healthcare, and employment opportunities.
The government’s inability to address the root causes of poverty and inequality has fueled frustration among Egyptians, many of whom feel that the country’s economic elite, closely tied to the military, has benefitted at the expense of the broader population. However, with opposition suppressed and public protests banned, there is little space for citizens to express their grievances.
The Future of Egypt: Is There Hope for Change?
Despite the grim state of affairs in Egypt, there are glimmers of hope for change. Sisi’s regime, though deeply entrenched, faces growing discontent from various segments of society, including the military elite, which has traditionally been the backbone of power in Egypt. There have been reports of dissatisfaction within the ranks of the armed forces, and some military officers have been purged for their perceived opposition to Sisi’s leadership.
Additionally, the international community has begun to take a more critical stance towards Egypt’s human rights record. While Sisi has long been able to rely on international allies, particularly the United States, to provide diplomatic cover and military aid, there are increasing calls from human rights organizations and some Western governments for Egypt to be held accountable for its abuses.
However, true change will require more than external pressure—it will depend on the resilience of Egypt’s civil society and the courage of its citizens to demand democratic reform. Though the space for political opposition is shrinking, Egypt has a long history of popular movements, and the spirit of the 2011 revolution, while suppressed, has not been entirely extinguished.
To conclude, the past decade in Egypt has been marked by dictatorship and repression under Abdel Fattah el-Sisi’s rule. While the 2011 revolution raised hopes for democracy and freedom, those hopes have been dashed as the country has slid back into authoritarianism. Human rights abuses, economic mismanagement, and the suppression of civil society have created an environment of fear and stagnation. Yet, despite these challenges, the potential for change remains. Egypt’s future will depend on the ability of its people to overcome repression and demand the democratic governance they fought for in 2011. The international community must also play its part by holding Egypt accountable for its actions and supporting efforts for meaningful political reform.