Protesters Across Egypt Call for Sisi to Go

Egyptians take to the streets demanding Sisi’s removal

Thousands of pro-democracy protesters have marched in cities across Egypt to demand the resignation of President Abdel Fattah el-Sisi.

Videos posted on social media showed demonstrators chanting “rise up, fear not, Sisi must go” and “the people demand the regime’s fall” on Friday.

Protests were reported in the capital Cairo, the second-biggest city of Alexandria and Suez.

Officers in civilian uniforms confronted the demonstrators who tried approaching Tahrir Square in Cairo. Several arrests were also made in the capital.

The demonstrations came after Egyptian businessman and actor Mohamed Ali calls on el-Sisi to step down

Egyptian businessman and actor Mohamed Ali accused President el-Sisi of corruption and called on people to take to the streets and demand the leader be removed.

“If el-Sisi does not announce his resignation by Thursday, then the Egyptian people will come out to the squares on Friday in protest,” Ali said in a video posted on Tuesday.

An Egyptian businessman and actor who had posted a series of videos this month accusing President Abdel Fattah el-Sisi of corruption has called on people to take to the streets on Friday to protest against the leader.

Mohamed Ali, who worked as a military contractor for 15 years and now lives in Spain in self-imposed exile, had accused el-Sisi of wasting millions of dollars of public money on palaces, villas and hotels. El-Sisi has denied the allegations and said they amount to defamation.

“If el-Sisi does not announce his resignation by Thursday, then the Egyptian people will come out to the squares on Friday in protest,” Ali said in a video posted on Tuesday.

“Your time is up,” Ali said, addressing el-Sisi. “Your last date with the people of Egypt will be on Friday.”

He also demanded the release of all political prisoners in addition to army and police officers arrested for opposing the president.

“On Friday at 9 pm (19:00 GMT), Muslims, Christians, liberals, Muslim Brotherhood members, secularists and everyone from all walks of life will go out to protest, and they will dance, honk their car horns, and listen to popular music.”

He also urged security forces not to confront the protesters and to protect them instead.

For his part, el-Sisi has said the allegations of corruption against him and his army generals were “lies and slander” and amount to defamation.