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Sisi’s election victory
Egyptians voted in a presidential election
between March 26 and 28. There were only
two candidates. Nobody expected the current
president, Abdel Fattah el-Sisi, to lose. After
the votes of 25 million people had been
counted, election officials made an interim
announcement. Over 90% had voted for Mr.
Sisi.
Mr. Sisi used to be the commander-in-chief of
Egypt’s army, navy and air force. He resigned
from this position to stand in the presidential
election four years ago. Then, 97% of the
people who took part voted for him.
Egypt is one of the world’s largest Muslim
nations. Home to 96 million people, it is the
African continent’s third most populous state.
(Nigeria and Ethiopia have larger populations.) The majority of Egypt is desert. Less than 5% of the country
is inhabited. Most Egyptians live along the Nile Valley and the country’s Mediterranean coast. About half
live in urban areas. Cairo, the capital, and Alexandria are the two largest cities.
The Nile is one of the world’s longest rivers. It has a large delta. This is where the Nile flows into the
Mediterranean Sea. Here, the river splits into many channels. Land in this part of Egypt is very fertile. It is
good for growing food crops. When seen from space, the Nile and its triangular-shaped delta are easily
recognizable. Their green color stands out from the yellowish-brown surrounding desert.
In recent years, there have been many political problems in Egypt. They began in 2011. Then, there were
large street protests in Cairo. At that time, Hosni Mubarak was the country’s president. He had led the
country for 30 years. The demonstrators demanded that the president stand down. They wanted proper
democratic elections. Eventually, due to the protests, Mr. Mubarak agreed to go.
After Mr. Mubarak retired, the army took over. Military leaders organized new elections for Egypt’s
parliament and president. In the parliamentary elections an organization called the Muslim Brotherhood did
well. This organization is both a religious and political group. Mohammed Morsi, a member of the Muslim
Brotherhood, won the presidential election.
Soon after Mr. Morsi became president he announced that a new constitution would be written. These are
the laws by which a country is governed. Most of those who worked on the new laws were Muslim
Brotherhood supporters. By this time, Mr. (then General) Sisi had become the commander of the armed
forces.
Many Egyptians were angry when they realized that the new constitution included some religious laws.
People began to criticize Mr. Morsi for not acting for the whole country. They accused him of favoring
Muslim Brotherhood supporters and ignoring everyone
else. Others complained about the economy. They said
Mr. Morsi and his ministers were doing nothing to
improve it.
One year after Mr. Morsi became president, millions of
people took part in huge street demonstrations.
General Sisi decided to take over. On his orders, Mr.
Morsi and other senior Muslim Brotherhood members
were arrested. Many Egyptians, especially those who
dislike the Muslim Brotherhood, agreed with what
General Sisi did. Yet others said it was wrong for the
army to remove a democratically elected president.
In recent years, there have been several terrorist attacks in Egypt. Islamist militant groups organized them.
Traditionally, Egypt has made a lot of money from tourists, or foreign visitors. However, because of the
attacks, fewer tourists now travel to the country. This has badly affected Egypt’s economy.
The Egyptian government makes a lot of money from the Suez Canal. Shipping companies pay a fee, or
toll, for their ships to use the waterway. The canal is 120 miles (193 kilometers) long. It greatly shortens the
sailing time between Asia and Europe. At least 18,000 large ships use the canal every year.
Mr. Sisi has been elected for another four-year term. Some said that the election was a sham, or not a
proper contest. This is because no “serious” candidates chose to stand against Mr. Sisi. Yet many
Egyptians support Mr. Sisi. At this stage of their country’s history, they say, his authoritarian leadership is
needed.
Comprehension Questions:
1. Four years ago, why did Mr. Sisi resign as the commander-in-chief of Egypt’s armed forces?
2. What happened one year after Mr. Morsi became Egypt's president?
3. Why do some people say that the election was a sham?
Discussion Questions:
1. Why do many Egyptians support Mr. Sisi?
2. How have terror attacks affected Egypt's economy?
3. Is it wrong to remove a democratically elected president?
4. Can military leaders make good presidents?
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