President Abdel-Fattah al-Sisi decided on 25 October 2021 that that state of emergency under which Egypt has lived for decades, with a few interruption, will no longer be extended.
A nationwide state of emergency was imposed in April 2017 after two suicide bombings in churches in Tanya and Alexandria killed 47 people. It has since been continually renewed to help fight terrorists.
Egypt’s Constitution stipulates that any state of emergency can only be implemented for a three-month period after which it may be extended; the President’s decision not to extend it comes as the last three-month interval expired.
On his social media accounts, President Sisi wrote: “It gives me pleasure to share with you this moment for which we long strived with serious, arduous efforts … Egypt has become an oasis of security and stability thanks to her faithful men and people … I have thus decided that for the first time in years there will be no extension to the nationwide state of emergency.
“The real maker of this decision has been the Egyptian people through their sincere, faithful participation in all efforts at development and building.
“As I announce this decision, I recall with deep appreciation and respect our martyred heroes without whom we would never have attained security and stability.
“Together, we steadily March towards building a new republic, with the help and support of God.
“Long live Egypt. Long live Egypt. Long live Egypt.”
Watani International
26 October 2021