Egypt was selected over South Africa to host the 2019 Africa Cup of Nations, capitalizing on its extensive experience in organizing major sporting events and its well-developed infrastructure. However, the country faces a significant challenge: security.
This tournament marks Egypt’s first time hosting the Africa Cup of Nations since the fall of President Hosni Mubarak in 2011. Since Abdel Fattah al-Sisi assumed power in 2013, the country has experienced repeated waves of violence. Extremist attacks have claimed the lives of hundreds of security personnel and civilians, including members of the Coptic Christian minority and foreign tourists. In response to ongoing threats, the government declared a state of emergency in April 2017, which has recently been extended for three more months to cover the period of the 2019 tournament.
The extension comes shortly after a constitutional referendum, approved by 88.83% of voters, which allows President al-Sisi to remain in power beyond the previously established two consecutive four-year terms. The state of emergency, an extraordinary measure invoked in the event of “imminent danger to the country,” grants authorities broad powers, including enhanced surveillance and arrest capabilities.
The emergency measures were initially imposed following two deadly church attacks in the northern governorates of Gharbiya and Alexandria in April 2017, which resulted in 47 deaths and 120 injuries. By maintaining the state of emergency during the Africa Cup of Nations, Egypt aims to ensure the safety of teams, fans, and tourists attending the tournament, while highlighting the persistent security challenges the country faces.
