Anti-government protests erupt in Cairo, Egypt.

Sharing is Caring!

Anti government protests erupt in Cairo, Egypt.

Local Egyptian media report protests due to “economic situation, the suppression of freedoms, and government corruption.”

Protesters are chanting "Ash-shab yurid isqat an-nizam," a popular Arab Spring color revolution chant.

"The… pic.twitter.com/WnjUtCFUyo

— Francis Gaitho (@FGaitho237) December 23, 2024

Massive anti-government protests erupted in Cairo on December 23 as Egyptians expressed anger at President Abdel Fattah al-Sisi’s administration. Citizens are protesting the worsening economic conditions, government corruption, and the suppression of civil liberties.

Egypt’s economy has been struggling with high inflation, rising food and fuel prices, and widespread unemployment. The World Bank reports Egypt’s GDP per capita at $3,512.6 in FY23, with economic reforms failing to ease hardship. The ongoing Middle East conflict further strains Egypt’s finances.

Al-Sisi’s regime has been criticized for repressing civil liberties, with Human Rights Watch documenting arbitrary arrests and torture. Freedom House’s 2024 report lists Egypt as “Not Free,” citing severe restrictions on press freedom and assembly.

Corruption remains widespread, with weak enforcement of anti-corruption laws. Despite an authority dedicated to tackling corruption, many businesses with political ties still receive favorable treatment.

A key trigger for the protests was al-Sisi’s announcement of a $45 billion new administrative capital and presidential palace. This extravagant spending angered many struggling Egyptians, seeing it as a waste of resources.

Protesters chanted “Ash-shab yurid isqat an-nizam” (“The people want the fall of the regime”), a slogan from the Arab Spring, and tore down al-Sisi’s posters in a symbolic act of rejection.

🔥🔥🔥 A day after “the Egyptian Foreign Minister held a phone call with his Russian counterpart, emphasizing the need to intensify political consultations at the ministerial level…”

Mass anti-government protests have begun in the Egyptian capital Cairo. pic.twitter.com/wmvI6zjcxX

— Jason Jay Smart (@officejjsmart) December 23, 2024