Egypt’s new cabinet was sworn in on Wednesday as the country faces raging conflicts in neighbouring states, Egyptian media reported.
The new cabinet, chaired by Prime Minister Mustafa Madbouly, who has held the post since 2018, has seen significant changes, especially in the defence and economic portfolios. Some ministers, including those in charge of police, health and transport, remained in place.
Mohamed Maait, who had been the country’s finance minister since 2018, was replaced by his deputy Ahmed Kouchouk, a former World Bank economist who was instrumental in implementing the reform programme with the International Monetary Fund.
Earlier this year, the government floated the pound sterling and sharply raised the main interest rate. Commercial banks are now trading the US currency at more than £47, up from around £31. The measures are aimed at combating rising inflation and attracting foreign investment.
Egypt is trying to revive a lucrative tourism sector devastated by years of unrest, a pandemic and recent war in Europe and the Middle East. In the new cabinet, Sherif Fathy, a former civil aviation minister, succeeds Ahmed Issa as minister of tourism and antiquities.
While conflicts rage in Gaza, Libya and Sudan, the key portfolio of Egypt’s diplomatic leadership is the foreign ministry. Badr Abdelatty, who served as Egypt’s envoy to European countries including Germany and Belgium, has been appointed minister of foreign affairs and migration. The 58-year-old diplomat succeeds Sameh Shoukry, 72, who led the country’s diplomacy for the past decade.
The ministers, their deputies and provincial governors were sworn in at the presidential palace in Cairo before al-Sisi, who was elected in December for a third six-year term. Al-Sisi appointed Madbouly to form a new government last month.
