President Sisi consolidated executive’s power over judicial branch, Islamic State (ISIS) continued attacks in Sinai, and authorities kept up repression of civil society. Following April constitutional referendum that consolidated govt’s power, Sisi 11 July nominated new head of Constitutional Court, asserting greater control over judiciary. In North Sinai province, militants 17 July beheaded four civilians in town of Bir al-Abd and ISIS claimed responsibility saying victims were informers; murders prompted security forces to undertake series of raids. Suicide bomber 18 July killed civilian and soldier in town of Sheikh Zuweid. Sisi 22 July renewed national state of emergency for three more months. Govt maintained repression of civil society and opposition: authorities 11 July arrested supporter of former President Mubarak for social media posts criticising current executive. Kuwait authorities 14 July deported eight Egyptians due to links with Muslim Brotherhood. Parliament 15 July approved new NGO law to relax restrictive provisions in 2017 legislation, rights groups dismissed changes as “merely cosmetic”.

Clashes between security forces and Islamic State (ISIS) Sinai Province continued in Sinai and death of former President Morsi in detention sparked accusations of govt responsibility. In Sinai, suspected ISIS insurgents 5 June attacked checkpoint near El Arish city, killing eight police; security forces 6-8 June conducted operation in North Sinai, killing 31 militants; ISIS fighters 25 June killed seven policemen near El Arish; following attack, clashes between militants and security forces left four militants dead. Former President Morsi 17 June died of cardiac arrest while on trial in Cairo courtroom; Morsi, senior leader of Muslim Brotherhood, won 2012 presidential election and ruled until he was deposed in July 2013 military coup and arrested on terrorism charges. NGO Human Rights Watch same day called for investigation by UN Human Rights Council into authorities’ possible mistreatment of Morsi and denial of medical care; UN High Commissioner for Human Rights spokesman 18 June called for independent inquiry into death; Turkish President Erdoğan 19 June accused authorities of killing Morsi, prompting Egyptian FM to call remarks “irresponsible”. Son of former presidential candidate Abdel Fotouh 29 June said his father had suffered two heart attacks in prison, adding that he may die “at any time” due to harsh conditions. NGO Amnesty International 25 June reported new govt crackdown on opposition with arrests of at least eight individuals including former MP Zyad El-Eleaimy, leader of Istiqlal party Ahmed el-Akabawy, journalists and activists.

After bombing targeted tourists near pyramids, authorities launched crackdown on suspected Islamist militants. Roadside bombing near Giza pyramids 19 May injured seventeen people. Next day security forces killed twelve suspected Islamist militants in two raids in Cairo. Authorities accused Hasm group, alleged wing of Muslim Brotherhood, of “planning chaos”, but did not say that raids were linked to Giza bombing. In Sinai, military 16 May reported 47 Islamic State (ISIS) fighters and five soldiers killed, without saying when or where; in El Arish city, police 20 May stormed ISIS hideouts, killing sixteen militants. NGO Human Rights Watch 28 May published report on military operations in Sinai since 2011, highlighting systematic war crimes and abuses by security forces; same day accused govt of coordinating smear campaign and issuing threats on staff. Marking Ramadan, President Sisi 16 May pardoned 560 prisoners, including suspected supporters of Muslim Brotherhood and journalist Abdel Halim Qandil. Top prosecutor 21 May ordered release of five opposition figures on human rights grounds, including former ambassador Masoum Marzouq held in solitary confinement since Aug 2018. Following 23 May court release order, authorities 29 May returned Al Jazeera journalist Mahmoud Hussein to prison and announced opening of new investigation.

Entrenching President Sisi’s authoritarian rule, referendum endorsed constitutional changes that will enable Sisi, elected in 2014, to rule until 2030 and authorities intensified repression of civil society. Following referendum 20-22 April, National Election Authority (NEA) 23 April declared 88.8% voted in favour of constitutional changes that would enable Sisi to rule until 2030 by extending his current four-year mandate by two years to 2024 and allowing him to stand for third term of six years; NEA reported turnout of 44%. Vote came after 531 of 596 MPs voted in favour of constitutional changes 17 April. Opposition bloc Civil Democratic Movement 18 April called proposed changes “assault on democracy” and urged people to vote “no”. Referendum spurred new crackdown on civil society and opposition: NGOs 15 April reported authorities had blocked estimated 34,000 internet domains, including newly-launched opposition campaign site; in east Cairo, authorities 21 April arrested lone protester for holding sign against referendum. Amid reports of bribes and coerced voting, NGO Human Rights Watch 20 April said referendum lacked legitimacy. EU 24 April urged Egypt to maintain commitments on rule of law. ISIS-Sinai Province attacks continued in north Sinai: in Sheikh Zuweid marketplace, suicide bomber 9 April killed seven, including four soldiers and one six-year-old; near provincial capital Arish, twin bombs same day killed four people.

Parliament continued constitutional amendment process to extend presidential mandate and increase term limits amid ongoing repression of dissenting voices. Following 14 Feb vote to begin deliberation on constitution, parliament 20-28 March held hearings with religious, economic, social and political representatives to propose changes. Constitutional and Legislative Affairs Committee to draft constitutional articles according to proposed amendments and submit them to vote in parliament by mid-April, followed by national referendum. In Sinai, military 11 March reported 46 Islamic State (ISIS) militants and three soldiers killed, without disclosing dates or locations. In Cairo, prosecutors 25 March referred 28 people to court on charges of joining ISIS and al-Qaeda; 30 March sentenced 30 alleged ISIS members over plot to attack church. Repression intensified after protests over govt response to 28 Feb train crash: authorities 28 Feb-3 March arrested 70 people in Cairo, Giza, Alexandria and Beheira; 4 March released ten and 7 March charged 35 with terrorism and spreading false news. Human rights groups 13-16 March denounced police torture of two transgender activists. Exiled television commentator Moataz Matar 4 March accused authorities of abducting eight of his family members.

Parliament initiated process to extend presidential terms and increase term limit and security forces continued to fight Islamic State (ISIS) in Sinai. 485 of 596 MPs 14 Feb voted to start parliamentary process to change constitution extending presidential terms from four to six years and increasing limit from two to four terms; changes would enable President Sisi – due to step down in 2022 at end of second term – to run for two more six-year terms and potentially stay in power until 2034. If MPs endorse changes in vote expected early March, national referendum would be held on proposed amendments. Former presidential candidate Hamdeen Sabbahi 7 Feb announced new movement, Union for Defending the Constitution, comprising opposition parties, MPs and civil society activists. In Cairo, unclaimed bombings appeared to target security forces: homemade bomb detonated in Giza district 15 Feb wounding three people including policeman, govt blamed Muslim Brotherhood; after attempted bombing of police station, officers pursued suspect, who detonated explosive device upon capture in central Cairo, killing three police officers 18 Feb. In Sinai, attack claimed by ISIS south of provincial capital Arish 16 Feb left fifteen military personnel and seven militants dead; security forces 19 Feb said they had killed sixteen suspected militants in two raids in Arish districts of Obeidat and Abu Eita. Govt continued crackdown on civil society and opposition. Despite repeated reports that authorities used torture to extract confessions, fifteen male prisoners charged with murder executed 7-20 Feb. Prosecutors 14 Feb charged and formally detained journalist Ahmed Gamal Ziada for spreading false news, after his 29 Jan arrest and disappearance at Cairo airport. Authorities failed to provide whereabouts of Australian Hazem Hamouda, detained without charges at Cairo airport 25 Jan and due to be released 21 Feb by order of prosecutor general.

Sectarian tensions persisted following violent incidents and jihadist attacks on Coptic Christians and in Sinai fight against Islamist militancy continued. One police officer killed 5 Jan as police tried to safely detonate explosive device outside church just east of Cairo. President Sisi 6 Jan inaugurated cathedral in new administrative capital 30km east of Cairo day before Coptic Christmas. Police 11-12 Jan dispersed violent mobs outside church in Manshiyet Zaafarna, Minya province in centre demanding authorities close church. In Sinai, security officials said roadside bomb 14 Jan hit police convoy in Rafah, killing conscript; security forces 14 Jan raided homes of suspected Islamic State (ISIS) members in Arish, arrested four; govt 16 Jan said police killed five suspected Islamist militants in raid in Arish; Islamist militants 17 Jan reportedly kidnapped Christian man near Arish, police pursued assailants and killed one, but did not free abductee; security forces 20 Jan said they had killed fourteen suspected Islamist militants outside Arish; military 22 Jan said at least seven soldiers and 59 suspected militants had been killed in recent operations in Sinai and that it had arrested 142 suspected militants, without giving timeframe; military 27 Jan said airstrike on ISIS “outpost” killed several, including two local commanders in northern Sinai. Authorities maintained repression of civil society: in appeal trial, Cairo criminal court 9 Jan sentenced activist Ahmed Douma to fifteen years in prison for alleged role in Dec 2011 Cairo protests. Authorities 29 Jan said 54 people detained for plotting to foment chaos on anniversary of uprising. Lawyer 30 Jan said at least six civil society activists arrested over previous two days after commemoration of 2011 uprising. Sisi 22 Jan attended African Union (AU) summit as country took over AU chairmanship for 2019.

Anger against govt grew within Coptic Christian community after attacks Nov-Dec. Police guard outside church 12 Dec shot and killed two Copts in Minya city, 250km south of capital Cairo. Thousands of Copts 13 Dec attended burial and protested what they perceived as lack of security across Minya province. Govt credited military with return of security to Sinai Peninsula, but instability continued. Military 12 Dec said armed forces had killed at least 27 suspected Islamist militants in North Sinai and along border with Libya, without specifying time period. Authorities said two roadside bombs 17 Dec hit police convoy west of Rafah town, North Sinai, killing two conscripts. Govt 23 Dec said security forces had killed fourteen suspected Islamist militants in shootouts in Arish city. Roadside bomb 28 Dec hit bus in Giza’s Haram district south west of Cairo, at least four killed including three Vietnamese tourists and their Egyptian guide. Govt 29 Dec said security forces killed 30 suspected Islamist militants in raids in Giza and ten others in Sinai same day, reportedly in response to Giza bombing previous day. Italian prosecutors 29 Nov accused seven Egyptian security officials of involvement in arrest, torture and killing of Italian student Giulio Regeni in Cairo in early 2016. Regional military exercises carried out at base on North Coast 10-14 Dec bringing together Sudan, Niger and Burkina Faso, and regional partners such as Jordan. Sudanese ambassador to Russia 7 Dec said Egypt and Sudan would create joint military force to target terrorists and weapons smuggling along Libya-Sudan-Egypt borders; Egypt did not confirm.

Islamic State (ISIS) attack on Coptic Christians on mainland provoked heavy security response, as security forces continued counter-insurgency operations in Sinai and mainland. ISIS militants 2 Nov attacked bus carrying Coptic Christian pilgrims in Minya governorate some 250km south of capital Cairo, killing seven. ISIS said it carried out attack in “revenge for arrest of our virtuous sisters” after security forces in previous weeks arrested twenty ISIS militants across country, including eleven women. Govt 4 Nov said security forces had killed nineteen suspected ISIS militants allegedly responsible for Minya attack. Security forces continued operations in Sinai. Govt 12 Nov said security forces had foiled suicide attack targeting checkpoint in Arish city in north Sinai. Authorities 22 Nov said police had stormed three buildings in Arish city used by Islamist militants as hideouts, killing twelve. In video released 15 Nov, ISIS Sinai Province (SP) said several fighters including SP leader Abu Osama al-Masri had been killed in ongoing military operation and issued call to fight govt and military. Govt continued crackdown on dissent. NGO Human Rights Watch 18 Nov said security forces had arrested over 40 lawyers, opposition representatives and human rights workers since late Oct, including daughter of former deputy leader of Muslim Brotherhood. President Sisi 4 Nov repeated his two-year-old promise to amend highly restrictive NGO law.

Govt continued crackdown on all forms of opposition and security forces continued operations against suspected Islamist militants in Sinai and elsewhere. Top appeals court 15 Oct upheld 2017 sentence against former President Morsi and nineteen others of three years in prison for insulting judiciary in 2013. Authorities 18 Oct denied media reports that one of accused, former MP and political activist Mustafa El Naggar, had been arrested in Aswan in south or forcibly disappeared. Police 21 Oct arrested author of book critical of Sisi’s economic policies for publishing false news, released him 29 Oct following court order. Authorities late Oct issued arrest warrants for lawyers Ezzat Ghoneim and Azouz Mahgoub missing since Sept, when they were allegedly released from police custody; human rights organisations accused govt of forcibly disappearing them. Govt mid-Oct extended for three months nationwide state of emergency first imposed in April 2017 after church bombings. In Sinai, Islamic State (ISIS) 2 Oct said military had killed senior militant Abu Hamza al-Maqdisi; security forces early Oct killed fifteen suspected jihadists and 9 Oct killed ten others near Arish city; suspected jihadists 20 Oct reportedly shot dead three workers in Arish city; roadside bomb 25 Oct reportedly killed three in Arish city. In Nile valley, between Assiut and Sohag, about 350km south of capital Cairo, security forces 15 Oct reportedly raided cave hideout, killing nine men allegedly planning attacks on “vital installations”. Former army officer turned al-Qaeda affiliate and founder of al-Murabitun militant group Hisham al-Ashmawy arrested 7 Oct in Derna in eastern Libya; President Sisi 8 Oct called on Libyan authorities to extradite him. UN and govt continued efforts to hold ceasefire talks between Israel and Hamas (see Israel-Palestine).