Political prisoners in Sisi's Egypt: Arbitrary detention as an obstacle to German stabilisation efforts

Thousands have been imprisoned for their political and ideological views in Egypt since the 2013 military takeover and Abdel-Fatah al-Sisi's subsequent rise to the presidency. This policy has dramatic humanitarian consequences, but also increasingly promotes radicalisation, strengthens rejection of state institutions, and hinders development of the country's civil society and economy. It also undermines Germany's efforts to use financial aid and development cooperation to stabilise Egypt, the Mediterranean's most populous country. The German government should therefore increase its pressure on Egypt's leaders and call for far-reaching amnesty. In doing so, it is important to emphasise the personal responsibility of the president and to tie future loans and debt rescheduling to concrete steps that end arbitrary detentions.