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Egyptian tribes wary of new provincial boundaries

President Abdel Fattah al-Sisi's decision to redraw provincial boundaries is worrying Arab tribes in remote and impoverished areas, where they fear diminishing revenue and development from the central government.
Bedouin tribemen attend a tribal council tribunal, where tribal customary laws are used to resolve disputes between tribes, in al-Arish city, north Sinai, March 6, 2012. REUTER/Asmaa Waguih (EGYPT - Tags: POLITICS SOCIETY TRAVEL CRIME LAW) - RTR2YXTY
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The new demarcation of Egyptian provincial borders, announced by Abdel Fattah al-Sisi in May, is starting to be implemented. Maj. Gen. Adel Labib, minister of state for local development, announced the establishment of three new provinces: Central Sinai, El Alamein and Oases. Labib also announced that the government intended to redraw the provincial boundaries and that it has already completed some, but details were yet to be announced.

According to Sisi’s program, the number of provinces will increase from 27 to 33. The demarcation of new provinces faces objections, especially from residents of border and remote regions inhabited by Arab tribes in the provinces of Sinai, the Red Sea (eastward), Nubia (south) and Marsa Matrouh (westward).

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