Egypt's 'Sustainable' Development Policies Face Backlash Over Forced Evictions
Egypt's government is facing criticism for its 'sustainable development' policies, which have led to forced evictions and displacement of ordinary Egyptians. While international organizations like the OPEC Fund and the European Investment Bank have supported these initiatives, ordinary Egyptians are feeling the negative impacts.
The government's Vision of Egypt 2030 plan has resulted in the demolition of historic tombs in the City of the Dead to make way for new roads and infrastructure. Meanwhile, citizens in areas like Maspero are being forcibly evicted to Asmarat, with the high-value land in Maspero slated for redevelopment. The regime justifies these actions under the guise of ecological protection and public good, but financial and political motives are suspected.
In 2023, authorities ratified the demolition of 'degraded areas' and introduced Construction Violation Reconciliation Law No.187 to legalize buildings, further fueling concerns about the true intentions behind these development projects. Ordinary Egyptians are aware of the forced evictions and the damaging consequences of what they see as 'green capitalism', which is not leading to economic emancipation but rather a reorganization of state functioning that benefits only a few.
The Egyptian government's sustainable development policies have led to displacement and forced evictions, with ordinary citizens paying the price for luxury projects and infrastructure development. While international organizations have supported these initiatives, the regime's motives appear to be largely financial and political, couched in the language of ecological protection. The 2024 EU-Egypt partnership, the Mattei Plan, and the UN's SDGs framework are being used to enact policies that force evictions and dispossession, raising concerns about the true nature of Egypt's development agenda.
