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Will Sisi really prevent potential emigration?

September 7, 2015 at 4:33 pm

Commenting on the image of the drowned Syrian child who was washed up on the Turkish coast, Egyptian President Abdel Fattah Al-Sisi has said that he will protect Egyptians from a similar fate, i.e. dying or drowning in the sea aboard migrant boats on their way to Europe. This was a double message for those inside and outside Egypt, reminding Egyptians – at least those who support his rule – that he is a divine leader capable of protecting his citizens from the fate of Syria and Iraq; which is the very same line he has used to subject Egyptians to his rule over the past two years. He is being helped to promote this enormous lie by media outlets backed by billions of dollars from the Gulf and security services capable of manufacturing lies, promoting rumours and spreading fear. On the external level, Sisi is presenting himself as a modern-day “Rambo”, fighting terrorism on behalf of the international community and as being the one who is hindering the arrival of migrant boats to European coasts. Can we believe Al-Sisi’s messages to those inside Egypt and outside?

I am definitely not denying the fact that some Egyptians truly believe Sisi’s claim; however, many of those who mandated him found out later, especially after the Rabaa and Al-Nahda Square massacres, that they effectively participated in the killing of their fellow Egyptians who staged sit-ins and peaceful demonstrations. On the other hand, attacks on the army in Sinai have not stopped but rather escalated under Sisi’s leadership, thus making Sinai out of control. Although a large number of those who mandated Sisi have reconsidered their positions and apologised, there are still some who believe in his power. I am certain that such people will support Sisi no matter what because they are simply opposed to the Muslim Brotherhood and to the revolution as a whole. It seems that these people are also who Sisi is referring to when he says “Egyptians”.

At the international level, I do not believe that Sisi has succeeded in persuading Western capitals that he is combatting terrorism on their behalf. Actually, the governments in these countries have taken advantage of the state of chaos and panic in which Sisi and his clique are living and their lack of legitimacy in order to tempt him with more arms and electronic devices under the pretext of combatting terrorism. Some countries have invested in these fears by making trade deals with Egypt that the country does not need, the cost of which will add up to a state debt that will suffocate the coming generations. Western governments will most likely continue to exaggerate Sisi’s fear of terrorism in order to get more concessions, deals, and commitments out of him.

Let us go back to Sisi’s message and ask: Will he actually protect the Egyptians from the fate of the Syrian refugees? The answer is no, as he is the one who essentially put the country on the verge of a civil war. He is the one who has divided Egyptians into “good” (those who obey him), and “bad” (those who still resist his rule). He is also the one who let loose his media, technical and cultural outlets and allowed them to use this social division to promote the idea that “We are one nation and you are one nation; we have our God and you have yours.” His media outlets describe those resisting the military rule or who stage demonstrations demanding their livelihood or freedom as being “terrorists” who deserve to be executed. The judges he appointed do not hesitate to issue death and life sentences as well as hard labour rulings against peaceful Egyptians whose only crime was to want freedom, justice, and dignity for themselves and their country.

In addition to these rulings, Sisi has charged the government’s henchmen to persecute and arrest thousands of peaceful Egyptians, intimidate their families and children, destroy their homes and seize their property. All of this is occurring while the economic situation worsens and prices are going up, thus making obtaining basic necessities a fantasy. Factories are being closed and tourism is slowing down, making unemployment grow exponentially. Political repression is being paired with economic hardship, an increase in unemployment, an increase in corruption and a lack of hope – it is this that is pushing the Egyptian youth to flee this bitter reality in search of a more dignified life.

Thousands have managed to flee from Sisi and his gang so far, and now hundreds of thousands, maybe even millions, are planning to emigrate and are waiting for the chance to do so. Sisi’s repressive security and administrative tools will not be able to prohibit these people, or some of them from emigrating. It is true that he is intensifying security on the coast and in the airports and that he has imposed new security measures such as obtaining security clearance before travelling to nearly 20 countries, but this has not and will not stop emigration. Pressure generates an explosion, and Sisi’s agencies will not be able to control or contain it. In addition to this, illegal emigration has become a booming business and those running the show have mastered the art of circumventing security and administrative measures. They also own hundreds of boats eager to carry thousands of Egyptians to European coasts in exchange for large sums of money.

The continued support of European countries for Sisi’s government and his repressive regime undoubtedly contribute to pushing the youth and even the old to emigrate from Egypt looking for a safe place and suitable job opportunities. The destination they are most likely to head to is Europe as it is not too far from Egypt’s coast. Sub-Saharan Africans travel hundreds of thousands of miles across numerous international borders to reach the Egyptian coast, which for Egyptians is much closer to home. If European leaders continue to support a repressive military government, then they must also accept the results of this support, including the long immigration lines in their countries of people fleeing oppression and looking for security and life.

We do not wish a fate similar to the Syrian refugees or any other refugees upon the Egyptians, just as we did not wish this fate upon the Syrians. However, the hell they have been put through by Bashar Al-Assad has pushed them to ride the waves and take risks that cause many hundreds of them to die. They were only looking for life. It is as if they are telling the Europeans: “You did not care about us in our own country and you left us to die, so now we are coming to you and asking you for life.” We do not forget that Assad used the same language that Sisi is using now and that he continues to consider himself the divine protector of the Syrian people and the provider of dignified life. However, in truth, he tore apart his people, deprived them of their basic rights and freedoms, and dropped barrel bombs on them. He essentially forced them to emigrate from their country in order for him and his gang to happily rule Syria and that is what Sisi will do, even if he says otherwise.

Translated from Arabi 21, 7 September 2015.

The views expressed in this article belong to the author and do not necessarily reflect the editorial policy of Middle East Monitor.