Sinai tribal leaders lose local support
Sinai's tribal leaders are losing influence among their tribes, who largely consider them informants for the sitting government in Egypt.
SHEIKH ZUWEID, Egypt — The Sinai Peninsula has lately seen a significant decline in the role and influence of tribal elders. They once enjoyed respect and appreciation, and their words for the tribe were final. Now, however, they are accused of being "informants" for successive governments in Cairo.
Most recently, tribal elders have been the target of a massive campaign criticizing them for quickly switching political affiliations and supporting whoever is currently at the Egyptian helm.
