On Saturday, September 12, members of Egypt’s government resigned as a result of state corruption probe. President Abdel Fattah el-Sissi, former general and political activist, accepted these resignations on the condition of continued service until reappointment. El-Sissi tasked Petroleum Minister, Sherif Ismail, with forming a new cabinet within the next week, according to Huffington Post.
Among the those who resigned were Prime Minister, Ibrahim Mehleb, and his cabinet. Just prior to his resignation, Mehleb provided a detailed report on the performance of the government. However, according to two presidential officials, el-Sissi found this report to be rather “unsatisfying.”
Additionally, last Monday Agriculture Minister, Salah el-Din Helal, was arrested over corruption allegations. It was said Helal allegedly accepted bribes in order to help businessmen acquire state territory. These bribes amounted to around one million in U.S. currency. Middle East News Agency (MENA) commented, “He was arrested as part of an investigation into a major case of corruption in his ministry.” Helal was also a part of Mehleb’s appointed cabinet.
According to CNN news, Mehleb failed to pressure his ministers into following through on memorandums of “understanding that el-Sissi signed during a much publicized economic summit in March.” However, when asked about these allegations in a Tunisian press conference, Mehleb walked out of the room.
In an interview with Houghton’s Egyptian-native, John Khalaf, a personal testament was shared on the current crisis in his country’s government.
When asked about his opinion on the current political situation, Khalaf shared both positive and negative effects of the change. Though under terrible circumstances, he stated how “there is hope for change now that we started to fight against people who break the law.” Khalaf’s statement was explicitly directed at the arrest of Helal last week. Khalaf believed the act of arrest was a sign of justice reclaiming its place within political authority. In the past, Khalaf explained, leaders got away with panhandling and corruption. However, this recent arrest has changed everything.
Khalaf further explained how his view was not the only interpretation across the Egyptian state. As a Cairo native, Khalaf shared about the dissension between the current government and Muslim Brotherhood—a radical sect of Muslims founded in Egypt in 1928.
The tension rose out of a political regime two years prior when general el-Sissi overthrew the Islamic president, Mohammed Morsi. El-Sissi was seen as a freedom figure to some, however, others, including the Muslim Brotherhood, saw it otherwise and responded with heightened discord and violence. Since then, multiple riots have occurred, including burnings of over a hundred of churches.
As a Christian, Khalaf recalls planning an escape from the back of his church in case of an attack. However, when asked his view on the future of Christians in Egypt, Khalaf replied on a positive note, “We forgive anyone who does this.” Khalaf also explained how Christians have started to support the government in the past year, which has fostered more political ties. He explained that because of that, they can “now build churches” once again. Cairo received its first land grant to rebuild a church after the destruction this past summer.
Parliamentary elections for a new cabinet will be held in October and continue throughout the month of November. Results will be announced shortly thereafter.
