Fact check: Are there recent protests happening in Egypt right now?

1. Summary of the results

1. Summary of the results

There are NO widespread protests currently happening in Egypt as of December 2024. The last major anti-government protests occurred in September 2019, when demonstrations against President el-Sisi led to over 2,000 arrests. More recently, smaller demonstrations related to Palestine solidarity occurred in October 2023, which were quickly suppressed by authorities.

2. Missing context/alternative viewpoints

The original question lacks crucial context about Egypt's political situation:

• President el-Sisi came to power through a military coup in 2013, ousting Mohamed Morsi
• Egypt faces severe economic challenges, with inflation reaching 39.7% in August 2023
• The government systematically detains peaceful critics and activists
• Civic spaces are heavily restricted, making organized protests extremely difficult
• Regional powers like Qatar, Turkey, and Saudi Arabia have vested interests in Egypt's stability

3. Potential misinformation/bias in the original statement

The question itself implies current protest activity, which could stem from:

• Confusion with the widely reported 2019 protests
• Social media circulation of old protest footage as current events
• Deliberate misinformation by opposition groups, particularly the Muslim Brotherhood, who would benefit from portraying Egypt as unstable
• Government supporters who benefit from downplaying any signs of unrest
• International media outlets that may sensationalize smaller incidents into "widespread protests"

The reality is more complex: while there aren't large-scale protests, there is significant underlying social tension and economic hardship that continues to create potential for unrest.