23 Jul 2018 | 11:39 PM UTC
Egypt: Elevated potential for protests as natural gas prices hiked July 21
Elevated risk of protests in Egypt due to natural gas price hike July 21; heightened security measures and localized traffic disruptions possible near associated protests
Event
Protests are possible in Egypt over the coming days after the government decided to raise the price of natural gas for homes and businesses on Saturday, July 21. The price of natural gas will reportedly increase between 33.3 percent and 75 percent, and is part of a larger series of austerity measures recently implemented to meet conditions required by the International Monetary Fund (IMF) for the dispersal of a USD 12 billion (EGP 215 billion) bailout loan.
Associated protests are possible in the coming weeks, particularly in low- and middle-class neighborhoods where the effects of the price hike are expected to be felt most acutely. Heightened security measures and localized traffic disruptions are possible around protest sites.
Context
Recent economic reforms in Egypt have triggered public frustrations over rising costs of living despite praise from the IMF. Subsidy cuts and price hikes have been implemented in recent months on electricity, fuel, cooking gas, and drinking water, among other goods and services, at a time when unemployment and poverty rates remain high in the country; some measures, such as a hike in Cairo metro fare prices in May, have inspired protests.
Advice
Individuals in Egypt are advised to monitor developments to the situation, avoid all protests and large public gatherings as a precaution, and adhere to all instructions issued by the local authorities.
In general, due to the prevailing threat of terrorism, individuals throughout Egypt should report any suspicious objects or behavior to the authorities and always be on guard when visiting sites deemed particularly vulnerable to an attack (public transportation, train stations, ports, airports, public or government buildings, embassies or consulates, international organizations, schools and universities, religious sites, markets, hotels and restaurants frequented by foreigners/Westerners, festivals, etc.). Many governments advise against travel to northern Sinai, where authorities maintain a media blackout and special security zones amid the ongoing anti-terrorist campaign.
