Egyptian President Sisi secures a third term victory in the elections

Egypt's President, Abdul Fattah al-Sisi, has been re-elected for a third term with a landslide victory of 89.6% of the vote, according to the electoral commission. Al-Sisi, a former army chief, defeated three lesser-known candidates, with the runner-up securing a meager 4.5% of the vote. However, the leading opposition candidate, Ahmed Tantawy, withdrew from the race prior to the election, citing intimidation and violence against his campaign. The state of Egypt's economy and the conflict in Gaza were major issues that shaped the election. Under al-Sisi's leadership, substantial amounts of money have been allocated to large-scale infrastructure projects, including the expansion of roads, the construction of flyovers, and the creation of a new capital near Cairo. However, critics argue that these ambitious endeavors have depleted the country's economic resources and led to unprecedented levels of debt, severely impacting the economy. Over the past nine months, the Egyptian pound has lost over 50% of its value against the US dollar. With the country heavily reliant on imports, the prices of basic commodities have skyrocketed, leaving many households unable to afford essential goods. Additionally, a black market for foreign currency has thrived amidst these economic challenges. Disturbingly, official statistics reveal that nearly 30% of Egypt's population lives below the poverty line. Opposition groups in Egypt voice concerns about their inability to operate effectively due to an ongoing crackdown on dissent. Human rights activists also assert that strict security measures make it increasingly difficult to document alleged abuses. Nonetheless, Egyptian authorities dismiss these allegations, defending their actions.