Egypt works to create group to replace Brotherhood

Egyptian intelligence and security forces have been working to build a new movement to counter and replace the Muslim Brotherhood.

The New Khaleej news site reported “informed sources” as saying that the Egyptian security agencies have been trying to create divisions within the group since the country’s first democratically elected President, and Muslim Brotherhood member, Mohamed Morsi was ousted in a coup in July 2013. They have been unsuccessful.

According to the sources, dissident Muslim Brotherhood leader Mokhtar Noah has been a prominent supporter of these efforts. Noah is said to be supported by group members who are dissatisfied with its performance and believe the solution is to create an alternative that does not clash with the Egyptian state.

Sources close to the election campaign of Egyptian President Abdel Fattah Al-Sisi said the process of forming an alternative group to the Muslim Brotherhood began in prisons which led to attracting dozens of the group’s youth and convincing them that the group had failed in managing the country’s affairs.

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The sources, who asked not to be named, confirmed that a number of group members who have been released from prison received financial support and promises to set up a new party for them in the future if they were able to attract others away from the Muslim Brotherhood.

Egypt has failed over the past years to achieve its plan due to the absence of figures who can attract a considerable number of the group’s members and leaders.

Thousands of member of the Muslim Brotherhood are lingering in Egyptian prisoners as a result of sham trials and convictions. The group has been outlawed in the country and classed a “terrorist organisation”.

Presidential elections are due to be held in Egypt next month with coup leader and current President Al-Sisi expected to have no opponents after officials arrested and silenced those who planned to run against him.