Ahead of Monday’s call for protests to object to the Egyptian-Saudi deal that transferred the sovereignty of two Red Sea islands to the gulf kingdom, political parties weighed in with their positions on the planned demonstrations amid a security crackdown on political activists and journalists.
A number of secular parties grouped under the Democratic Current, along with several civil forces that previously called for protests on 15 April reiterated their calls for protests on Monday, which coincides with Sinai Liberation Day.
Moreover, the Misr Al-Qawiya party announced on Saturday its plan to participate by “all possible means of popular action on a joint national” protest with all those who seek what is best for the Egyptian people and to preserve “its lands, rights, and dignity”.
“We welcome cooperation with any political faction that opposes the criminality of this regime regardless of disagreements as long as they are peaceful and opposing the regime from a political perspective,” the party said.
The party’s announcement of support came on the backdrop of statements from the Muslim Brotherhood, which announced their support for the protest. While members of the Brotherhood participated in the 15 April protest, the group was largely marginalised during the Friday demonstrations.
The Brotherhood’s support received heavy backlash from other parties, such as the Socialist Popular Alliance and Al-Dostour parties.
The two parties denounced potential participation from the Islamist group in Monday’s protests while supporting the call to protest the transfer of sovereignty of the islands to Saudi Arabia and condemning the security crackdown that took place over the weekend.
In a show of support for the state, the leftist Tagammu party issued on Saturday a statement that condemned calls for protests on Monday as part of “hostile US and western plots” that aim to create chaos in Egypt.
“The party asserts its rejection of calls to protest, and calls on the Egyptian people not to be deceived by the illusive slogans,” the Tagammu statement read.
Depending on the turnout, the protests would mark the second large gathering of those protesting the maritime demarcation agreement between Egypt and Saudi Arabia. In an attempt to thwart another potential gathering, security forces raided several cafes, public spaces, and homes on Thursday night and Friday, arresting dozens of people, including some political activists.
