Egypt Declares State of Emergency for 3 Months

President of Egypt, Abdel Fattah El Sisi, renewed a nationwide state of emergency for three months starting 1AM Sunday 27 October 2019.

According to a decree, published in the official gazette on Saturday, the decision allows the Egyptian armed forces and police “shall take the necessary measures to confront terrorism and its financing, maintain security throughout the country and protect public and private properties.”

The state of emergency was first imposed in April 2017 after terrorist attacks on two churches in Tanta and Alexandria that left approximately 45 people dead.

Decree's Articles

The decree contains five articles. 

[caption id="attachment_87056" align="aligncenter" width="752"] Egypt state of emergency[/caption]

The third article stipulates that the prime minister will be entrusted with carrying out tasks of the president mentioned in law no. 162/1958 with regard to the state of emergency. 

Those disobeying orders issued by the president will be punished by prison sentences under the provisions of law no. 162/1958, the fourth article read.

Under article fifth of the decree, the decision should be published in the gazette. 

Tenth State of Emergency Decree Since April 2017

In July, President Sisi issued a decree renewing the state of emergency in Egypt for 3 months starting July 25, for the ninth time in a row since it was imposed in April 2017. 

[caption id="attachment_87058" align="aligncenter" width="744"] Terrorist Attacks Targeted Churches in Egypt in April 2017[/caption]

The Parliament approved the decree earlier that month. According to the Egyptian law, the Parliament's approval on presidential decisions to renew the state of emergency in the country is a must. 

The presidential decree tasks security and military forces to take all measures to protect the state from terrorism threats and preserve citizens and national properties. 

Moreover, Prime Minister Mostafa Madbouli issued a decree renewing a dusk-to-dawn curfew for three consecutive months on some areas of North Sinai, which witnessed numerous terror attacks especially since 2013.