Egypt’s President Abdel Fattah al-Sisi on Tuesday renewed the long-running state of emergency for the next three months, citing health as well as security concerns, reported Africa News.
“Given the serious health and security situation … the state of emergency has been declared across the country for three months starting Tuesday, April 28,” said a presidential decree published in the official gazette overnight.
As per the announcement, the armed forces and the police will take all necessary measures to protect against terrorism, maintain security and safeguard public and private property as well as people’s lives. Those found violating the orders will have to face imprisonment.
Egypt has been under a state of emergency since April 2017, when an Islamic State (ISIS) group affiliate killed dozens of people in twin church bombings. The country’s state of emergency has been extended 11 times since then.
The latest extension comes as the country battles the ongoing coronavirus pandemic, the virus which has infected nearly 4,800 people, including the death of 337, according to Johns Hopkins University statistics.
The state of emergency the state of emergency grants Egyptian security forces broad powers to make arrests, search homes without a warrant, and also curtails constitutional rights such as freedom of speech and assembly.
Last week, the Egyptian parliament had approved amendments to the emergency law expanding the president’s powers to curb the virus’ spread. The amendments allow the president to suspend schools, public sector work, ban gatherings, quarantine inbound travelers and order private medical facilities to assist with general healthcare.
Egypt has been reeling with a jihadist insurgency, which surged after the 2013 ouster of Islamist president Mohamed Morsi by then army chief Sisi. The majority of the attacks have been concentrated in the northern Sinai Peninsula, which has been under a state of emergency since October 2014.
