It is indisputable that the Egyptian regime, led by Field-Marshal Abdel Fattah Al Sisi, is facing big social, political and security dilemmas. Egypt is in a state of instability; there is a war in the Sinai desert against Egyptian nationals seeking citizenship rights, justice and equality.
Sisi has waged many wars against the people of Egypt: In Sinai, under the pretext of fighting terrorism, the prosecution of the Muslim Brotherhood, demolition of homes of Egyptian citizens on the Egypt-Gaza border under the pretext of preventing infiltration of Hamas militants into Egypt, labelling of Al Qassam Brigades as a terrorist movement, and the arrest of the regime’s opponents in Cairo and other major cities.
Also, the courts don’t hesitate to impose the death penalty on citizens who reject the Sisi regime and express their views through peaceful demonstrations. At the international level, Egypt has lost the prestige it once enjoyed. World leaders watch every move by Egypt and take it into account. Once upon a time, the Egyptian media could shake other countries and cause the downfall of governments.
During a moment of “transfiguration”, Sisi started a discussion with his office manager and other officials about the people of the Arabian Gulf and Gulf leaders, using inappropriate words and phrases.
He said: “We need 10 billion to be put in the army’s account... and we want 10 like them from the Emirates, and from Kuwait another 10, in addition to a couple of pennies to be put in the central bank.” He used words that I am ashamed to repeat through any media channel.
During their talk, they said that the Gulf countries were semi-states with huge amounts of money.
I ask Sisi and his aides: Who brought Sisi to the top of the political power pyramid of Egypt? Is it not the oil money and smart politicians of some Gulf states? Who paid billions of dollars to establish Sisi’s rule from the day he took over? And who chased the Muslim Brotherhood across the world, except Gulf governments, in order to please Sisi?
What did Sisi say about the great people of Egypt? He said: “Behind us are hungry people engaged in earning a livelihood, and my circumstances are worse, while you Gulf people are living lavishly.”
Is it befitting for a head of state to say that his people are hungry and in terrible shape? Then isn’t it your role as a leader to feed your people and transform your country into a developed one?
Didn’t the Gulf states that you mentioned pay more than $20bn on the eve of your assuming leadership? Where did that money go? Did it enter the military budget to be exclusively enjoyed by senior officers?
Major General Abbas Kamel, director of Sisi’s office, said: “The Qatar National Bank alone has 900 billion riyals in cash reserves,” and used obscene language about the Qatari leadership.
My response to him is: “Yes, Qatar National Bank has more than that because no one among its staff and government officials is corrupt and would steal from banks. And yes, we have money like rice, thanks to God, who has blessed us. But we have not forgotten our people in Egypt; we didn’t lay siege on Gaza, and gave generously, without seeking any favour in return, to every needy Arab country, and this is God’s blessing to us.”
In conclusion, I request all rulers in the Gulf not to give our money to those who do not appreciate you and your people.
The Egyptian regime is a blackmailer without political morality, and is ungrateful to those who serve Egypt.
We, the people, demand that our rulers act in response to those who
insult us.
