- The US Government will withhold military aid to Egypt worth US$130 million (A$177 million) until Egypt takes specific steps related to human rights
- The government was going to pay US$300 million (A$409 million) in aid this fiscal year almost half will now be paused
- However a rights group has called on the administration to block the entire aid, calling it a “betrayal” of the US commitment to promote human rights
- The US has provided around US$1.3 billion (A$1.7 billion) in foreign assistance to Egypt annually since the 2017 financial year
The US Government will withhold military aid to Egypt worth US$130 million (A$177 million) until Egypt takes specific steps related to human rights.
In the past, an exception was granted to free up foreign military financing for Abdel Fattah al-Sisi’s Government worth US$300 million (A$409 million) this fiscal year.
This deal was made on the basis that it was in the interest of US national security.
While the deal pauses some money, US$170 million (A$232 million) will still be sent to the Middle Eastern country.
US Secretary of State Antony Blinken said the move to hold the money was to break with his predecessor’s policy of overriding a congressional check on military aid to Egypt.
However, a rights group has called on the administration to block the entire US$300 million aid, calling it a “betrayal” of the US commitment to promote human rights.
Democratic Senator Chris Murphy has led a campaign to withhold the entire sum.
“This was a big missed opportunity to stand up strongly and unequivocally for human rights. Egypt had almost two years to meet the human rights improvements required by Congress, but arguably the situation on the ground in Egypt has gotten worse,” he said in a statement.
Mr Murphy also stated on Twitter that “this is a mistake”, with Egypt allegedly having 60,000 political prisoners.
“They torture political dissidents,” he stated.
This is a mistake. Egypt has 60,000 political prisoners. They torture political dissidents.
— Chris Murphy (@ChrisMurphyCT) September 14, 2021
The Administration should have held back the full $300m. This half measure sends a muddled message about our commitment to human rights and democracy. https://t.co/MqpnsGfRKz
The US has provided around US$1.3 billion (A$1.7 billion) in foreign assistance to Egypt annually since the 2017 fiscal year.