The Egyptian government is demolishing homes to make way for an expansion of Suez canal ports
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The Egyptian government's plan to expand an old fishing port in the Al Arish gateway neighbourhood in the north of Egypt's Sinai Peninsula has sparked controversy and resistance from local residents. Despite the authorities' decision to raze the entire neighborhood, residents have refused to leave their homes, citing a disregard for citizens' welfare in favor of foreign investment.
"We will not leave our homes," protest residents in the port district of Al Arish, the capital of Egypt's North Sinai governorate. A decree was issued in the summer of 2019 granting their properties to the Ministry of Defense, and subsequently to the Egyptian army, as part of the expansion project.
The local authorities began demolishing the houses in the two square kilometres around the port in February, despite strong opposition from the residents who have blockaded several demolition sites and openly confronted soldiers who came to ensure the demolitions were carried out smoothly.
Many residents feel that their loyalty to the government and commitment to protecting their homes has been betrayed.
We spoke to one resident who has been protesting the demolitions. He wanted to stay anonymous for fear of reprisals.
Since 2012, the residents of this neighbourhood have fought hand in hand with the army against terrorism in Sinai. The government had encouraged Egyptians to come and live in the peninsula to populate it to protect it from the spread of armed extremist groups. The residents were there, defending their homes. And this is how they thank us? By forcibly evicting us?
The resident we spoke to told us that some of his neighbours had signed over their properties to the Ministry of Defence, but that they were pressured to do so or lacked vital information. He said authorities also promised financial compensation to residents, but that no compensation had been disbursed to the impacted families.