The Biden administration is set to provide Egypt with its full allocation of military aid totaling $1.3 billion for the year 2024, disregarding human rights concerns as reported by various news outlets. This marks the first time during this administration where Egypt will receive the entire amount without deductions linked to its human rights record, as confirmed by State Department officials.
This decision is seen by many as intertwined with the U.S. reliance on Egypt amid heightened tensions and violence stemming from the conflict between Israel and Hamas. Washington is counting on Cairo to mediate attempts to establish peace, particularly focusing on securing ceasefire agreements and facilitating humanitarian aid for Palestinians affected by the conflict.
Of the total aid package, $320 million is typically subject to conditions allowing for withholding based on Egypt's human rights practices. Yet, the Secretary of State, Antony Blinken, has cited U.S. national security interests as the reason for waiving human rights conditions this year.
State Department officials have emphasized the importance of this funding as part of efforts to advance regional peace and to encourage Egypt's role in U.S. national security priorities. This includes securing the release of hostages, delivering humanitarian assistance to Palestinians, and working toward lasting solutions to the Israel-Hamas conflict.
Egypt, under the leadership of President Abdel Fattah al-Sisi, has been historically aligned with U.S. interests but has faced criticism for its human rights practices. Activists and many Democratic lawmakers perceive the bypassing of these human rights conditions as disappointing, citing continued allegations of oppression, including torture, enforced disappearances, and the suppression of dissent.
Despite the recent announcement, concerns linger over Egypt’s human rights record. For the past three years, previous administrations had withheld parts of the military aid, citing insufficient progress on issues such as the release of political prisoners and the safety of U.S. citizens. It was noted this year, though, Blinken acknowledged improvements made by Egypt, including the release of some prisoners and legislative efforts to amend pre-trial detention laws.
While approximately 970 individuals have been released from detention since September of the previous year, human rights advocates argue the number of arrests has outpaced releases, with at least 2,278 people reportedly arrested arbitrarily during the same period.
Seth Binder, who leads advocacy efforts at the Middle East Democracy Center, voiced significant concerns. He emphasized, “There’s no reasonable assessment where one could say there’s been progress on the human rights situation in Egypt. It remains a huge crisis,” as he pointed out the presence of tens of thousands of political prisoners.
During the recent congressional discussions around the military funding, lawmakers reiterated the necessity for real, substantive advancements on human rights, insisting proper engagement is key to maintaining the U.S.-Egypt partnership.
The decision to release the funds occurs against the backdrop of broader geopolitical challenges, including the continuous fallout from the conflict between Israel and Hamas, where Egypt plays a pivotal role as the facilitator for humanitarian aid entering Gaza.
Given Egypt's border with Gaza, U.S. officials recognize Cairo's strategic significance, particularly as American interests are increasingly focused on regional stability during these tumultuous times.
The military assistance program runs alongside wider diplomacy, with U.S. officials expressing hopes for progress not only on military issues but also on the human rights front as they maintain active dialogues with Egyptian leaders.
Despite the waivers, it is clear rights groups remain skeptical of the U.S.' commitment to press for improvements, tracking the dynamics of political repression and the continued detainment of human rights advocates.
Despite recent legislative movements aimed at addressing past grievances over rights abuses, the perception among critics is stark: the current U.S. policy decisions signal abandonment of the very principles of human rights upon which past foreign policy has often relied.
Following Sisi’s re-election last December, the Egyptian government showed little sign of easing its repressive practices, exemplified by the sentencing of opposition figures under dubious charges, raising alarms about political freedoms and fair governance within the nation.
Calls for reform are increasing along with the necessity for the U.S. to navigate its foreign policy goals, attempting to balance immediate national security concerns against long-term commitments to human rights and democratic values. Each step will need careful consideration moving forward, knowing the impact of upcoming negotiations and regional stability efforts will greatly shape U.S.-Egypt relations.
Although the military aid package may be secured this year, how this decision influences both internal Egyptian politics and broader regional dynamics remains to be seen, particularly as those opposed to the Sisi administration feel increasingly marginalized and suppressed.
With the announcement likely to stir discussions both within U.S. political circles and among Egyptian civil society, the future holds uncertainty as stakeholders monitor these developments closely for any signs of change or continuity.
