Egypt lifts state of emergency first imposed in 2017

Egyptian President Abdel Fattah Al-Sisi yesterday announced the lifting of a nationwide state of emergency which has been in place since 2017.

“I’ve decided, for the first time in years, to cancel the extension of the state of emergency throughout the country,” Al-Sisi said on Facebook.

The president hailed what he described as “Egypt’s great people and loyal men,” stressing his country had become an “oasis of security and stability in the region.”

“I am glad that we share together that moment that we have always strived for with struggle and hard work,” he added.

The state of emergency was first imposed on 10 April 2017 “to fight terrorisim,” according to parliament. It was put in place after two deadly church bombings, which left dozens of people dead. It has been renewed every three months since.

Under the state of emergency, authorities have the right to evacuate areas, impose a curfew, take strict security measures, and punish violators with imprisonment.

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