Africa

Africa

Protesters demand fall of Egypt's government over islands deal

15 April 2016 18:25 (UTC +04:00)

BAKU-APA. Thousands of Egyptians angered by President Abdel Fattah al-Sisi's decision to hand over two islands to Saudi Arabia called on Friday for the government to fall, chanting a slogan from the 2011 Arab Spring uprising, APA reports quoting Reuters.

Their protests clearly signaled that the former general, under mounting criticism now also for the struggling economy, no longer enjoys the broad public support that let him to round up thousands of opponents after he seized power in 2013.

Sisi's government prompted an outcry in Egyptian newspapers and on social media last week when it announced a maritime demarcation accord last week that put the uninhabited Red Sea islands of Tiran and Sanafir in Saudi waters.

"The people want the downfall of the regime," the protesters cried outside the Cairo press syndicate, using the signature chant of the 2011 revolt against then president Hosni Mubarak, who later stepped down.

They also chanted: "Sisi - Mubarak", "We don't want you, leave" and "We own the land and you are agents who sold our land." In other parts of Cairo, police fired tear gas at protesters, security sources said.

Saudi and Egyptian officials say the islands belong to the kingdom across the Red Sea and were only under Egyptian control because Riyadh had asked Cairo in 1950 to protect them.

Saudi Arabia and other wealthy Gulf Arab states showered Egypt with billions of dollars in aid and grants after Sisi toppled freely elected President Mohamed Mursi of the Muslim Brotherhood in 2013 after mass protests against him.