Egyptian President Abdel Fattah el-Sisi Navigates Third Term Amid Global Spotlight on Gaza Conflict

In an upcoming Sunday presidential election, Egyptian President Abdel Fattah el-Sisi is poised to secure his third term in power, a move criticized by some as a political maneuver amid a lack of viable opposition. The election comes at a time when global attention is fixated on the Israel-Hamas conflict in neighboring Gaza.

Despite concerns about the legitimacy of the election, Sisi has experienced a temporary reprieve from Western criticism of his authoritarian rule and crackdown on dissent. Analysts attribute this shift to Sisi's renewed diplomatic relevance in the wake of the Israel-Hamas war, with several top Western officials, including United States Secretary of State Antony Blinken and European leaders, visiting Cairo.

H.A. Hellyer, a nonresident scholar at the Carnegie Endowment for International Peace, highlighted Cairo's historical role as a crucial interlocutor in the Arab-Israeli conflict, asserting that renewed focus on the Palestinian issue has elevated Egypt's geopolitical importance.

Egypt's pivotal position is underscored by its control of the Rafah crossing, the sole link between Gaza and the outside world. Throughout the conflict, Egypt has played a mediation role, facilitating aid delivery to Gaza and securing the release of hostages held by Hamas. Sisi has sought to capitalize on the crisis, presenting himself as a champion of the Palestinian cause.

Critics, however, argue that Sisi is exploiting the international distraction to secure another term with minimal opposition. Timothy Kaldas from the Tahrir Institute for Middle East Policy criticized the lack of genuine elections, referring to it as "electoral theater."

While diplomatic attention is on Gaza, human rights groups have condemned Egypt for suppressing political dissent and stifling opposition candidates. Amnesty International reported the barring of genuine opposition candidates, arrests of individuals involved in unauthorized protests, and criticized the prosecution of former lawmaker Ahmed el-Tantawy.

As Sisi's election campaign gains momentum, public sentiment in Egypt is marked by frustration, particularly regarding economic grievances. Despite economic challenges, some citizens express a sense of security under Sisi's rule, emphasizing the lack of viable alternatives in the current security situation.

The election is scheduled for December 10 to December 12, with results expected by December 18. As Egypt grapples with economic woes and ongoing challenges, the international community closely watches the political developments in the region.