Mystery surrounds former Egyptian premier's return to Cairo
Former Egyptian Prime Minister Ahmed Shafiq returned to Cairo from the UAE after announcing his intention to run in the upcoming presidential elections, yet questions remain surrounding his return.
CAIRO — From his residence in the UAE, one of Egypt’s staunch allies, former Prime Minister Ahmed Shafiq announced Nov. 29 that he will run in Egypt’s presidential elections in 2018. Reuters reported Dec. 2 that Shafiq had been “arrested at his home in the United Arab Emirates and is being deported to Egypt.”
On Dec. 3, his daughter May Ahmed Shafiq told Masrawy in an interview, “[His] mobile phones have been shut down ever since his arrival in Egypt. No one knows anything about him. He did not go home. The family members are looking for him everywhere but to no avail.”
On the same day, Shafiq called into a TV show on Dream TV with Wael al-Abrashi to confirm he had not been kidnapped and is staying at a hotel while waiting on some home renovations to be completed. On Dec. 4, Reuters reported that Shafiq told one of its reporters at a Marriott hotel that he was “fine,” but was then prevented from saying anything more by men in civilian clothes.
On Nov. 29, in a video sent to Al-Jazeera, Shafiq had accused the UAE of blocking him from traveling after announcing his candidacy for next year's presidential elections. He said, “I was surprised to find out I am prevented from leaving the UAE for reasons I don’t understand and I am not willing to understand. I have often stated my appreciation for the UAE for hosting me. However, I reject any intervention in Egypt’s affairs by preventing me from participating in a constitutional right.” He also promised Egyptians he will not back down from his pledge to run.
