CAIRO — Egyptian President Abdel Fattah al-Sisi recently appointed a slate of new governors and deputies that is weighted with police and military leaders at the expense of civilians. The appointments come as parliament is expecting a Cabinet reshuffle.
Of the 16 new governors sworn in Nov. 27, 11 have military or security backgrounds. These military and police lieutenant generals have taken over management of the coastal provinces on the Red Sea and Mediterranean Sea, namely Alexandria, Marsa Matruh and Ismailia, as well as three Nile Delta and northern provinces. Five lieutenant generals will command the Upper Egypt provinces, which have a history of sectarian violence, most notably Minya.