Egyptian President Abdel Fattah al-Sisi kept his finance, investment and interior ministers in a new government sworn in yesterday as he tries to rebuild an economy battered by Islamist militant violence.
Sisi named former head of the state oil company Tarek al-Mullah as Petroleum Minister, charged with easing the country’s energy crisis and attracting more foreign investment in a strategic sector.
Mullah succeeds Sherif Ismail, seen as one of the best-performing ministers, who became Prime Minister.
The new government faces many challenges.
Islamic State, which seized large parts of Iraq and Syria, has gained the backing of the most active militant group in Egypt, the recently renamed Sinai Province.
Egypt is struggling to get large volumes of foreign investment after years of political turmoil
Militants have stepped up attacks on Egyptian soldiers and police since the army toppled Islamist president Mohamed Morsi in 2013 after mass protests against his rule. Hundreds have been killed in bombing and shooting attacks.
Egypt is struggling to get large volumes of foreign investment after years of political turmoil triggered by the 2011 uprising that toppled autocrat Hosni Mubarak, even though Sisi’s economic reforms have won praise.
The new Cabinet includes 16 new ministers out of 33 in total but few important posts were handed to newcomers. The defence, foreign and justice ministers all kept their jobs as did most economy-related ministers such as planning and supplies.
“They could not find candidates and the main reason is that no one wants to be minister for three months; it is not enough time,” said Said Sadek, professor of political sociology.
Egypt holds a long-awaited parliamentary election in October and the new chamber will have a say over the government and can even reject Sisi’s choice for prime minister, according to the country’s constitution.
The election concludes in November and a new government is likely to be named after the results are announced.
As army chief, Sisi orchestrated the overthrow of Morsi, Egypt’s first freely-elected president.