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).