Egypt

“The invasion of Ukraine has affected the Egyptian economy, especially in regards to wheat prices, as has the Covid-19 pandemic. However, the underlying problems and roots of the crisis have been brewing for years as the economic crisis is largely driven by political economic choices which President Sisi has made.”

“This is an important step by the administration, reaffirming to the Egyptian government that its human rights record will affect the relationship, and we have seen President Sisi’s government take some positive steps in response.”

Amy Hawthorne said the conditions cited on the tranche of $75 million included progress on political prisoners and on due process. “Any objective observers would say Egypt has not made clear and constant progress on either of those conditions, especially the second one,” she said. “This is rewarding the Egyptian government for something that is at most a half measure.”

“The U.S. administration froze $130 million in military aid allocated to Egypt due to Cairo’s non-compliance with the human rights conditions set by the U.S. State Department. Therefore, there are pressure tools that the US administration can use.”

“In this war, Egypt is not—and does not want to become—part of the robust Western defense of Ukraine. Biden’s call to defend the larger cause of democracy has zero resonance for President al-Sissi.”

“This vote is rather unprecedented for arms sales to Egypt. It’s a rare moment to see senators express concern for ongoing US support for Egypt’s authoritarian, rights-abusing government through a vote to block an arms sale.”

“It’s commendable that the US stood firm on the human rights conditions it had set. Yet, in the bigger picture, the administration remains far too supportive of the Sisi regime and human rights remain far too marginal in US policy.”

“[Blocking aid to Egypt based on human rights conditions] is the right thing to do, but unfortunately the impact…is undermined by simultaneously moving forward with arms sales, nearly 20 times more than the amount being reprogramed.”

“Egypt remains an authoritarian US security partner in the Arab world, and the US, as we know historically, has been very reluctant to push against authoritarian Arab allies who are partners on counterterrorism and security.”

“I don’t think any progress in the human rights situation has been made over the past decade. In fact, by all accounts, by all measures, the human rights situation today is far worse than what it was on January 25, 2011.”