US suspends $ 130 million in military aid to Egypt over rights concerns | Human Rights News

The decision to suspend aid came just days after the US approved a massive $ 2.5 billion arms deal to the country.

The Biden administration has announced that it will suspend $ 130 million in military aid to Egypt human rights concernsA few days after the United States approved a massive $ 2.5 billion arms sale to the country.

The State Department said on Friday that Egypt had not met the $ 130 million requirement for foreign military funding since September. He said the money would go to other programs, but did not specify.

In announcing the cancellation, the department made no mention of it $ 2.5 billion in military transportation aircraft and radar systems that he admitted on Tuesday; the announcement of that deal made no mention of the frozen $ 130 million.

Secretary of State Antony Blinken agreed in September to release $ 300 million in foreign military funding to Egypt, but withheld another $ 130 million by the end of January if the government failed to address “specific human rights conditions.”

“The deadline to meet these requirements will end soon,” the department said. “The [government of Egypt] he made considerable progress in the conditions but to date has not met them all. Therefore, as of January 30, the Secretary intends to reschedule this $ 130 million for other national security priorities. “

Asked about the apparent inconsistency, U.S. officials said it had nothing to do with military aid and arms sales.

Egypt is said to bear the cost of buying $ 2.2 billion along with 12 Hercules C-130 transport aircraft, along with $ 355 million worth of air defense radar systems.

Extensive repression of dissent

Blinken was asked not to accept $ 130 million in aid, and Democrats in Congress were pleased with Friday’s decision, but did not oppose a arms deal that would reduce the amount of aid they withheld.

“I’m glad the Biden administration has kept the line by rescheduling these funds,” said Connecticut Sen. Chris Murphy.

“It sends an important message abroad that we will support our commitment to human rights through action, and the days when dictators receive empty checks from America are gone.”

On Tuesday, the State Department announced a $ 2.5 billion arms deal, saying it would “support U.S. foreign policy and national security by helping improve the security of a major non-NATO country that remains strategically important.” Partner in the Middle East. ”

“Allowing additional arms sales to Egypt is worse than throwing away good money after a bad one; throwing a bad money after a bad one.” @WilliamHartung and @BenFreemanDC write.https://t.co/aG1GBFCXky

– Responsible Statecraft (@RStatecraft) January 28, 2022

“We believe that our bilateral relationship with Egypt will be strengthened and that American interests will be better served by the US’s continued commitment to the advancement of our national security interests, including resolving our human rights concerns,” the department said.

The Egyptian government has done just that in recent years widespread repression of dissentImprisoning thousands of people who took part in the 2011 Arab Spring uprising Hosni Mubarak longtime ruler of the country.

Egypt declared a state of emergency in April 2017, killing more than 100 people and wounding dozens after church bombings and attacks on Coptic Christians. Unauthorized arrests allowed the suspects to be tried quickly and special courts set up.

Since then, the state of emergency has been extended several times. However, President Abdel Fattah el-Sisi announced it in October when the final extension is completed, his government will not renew it further.