British-Egyptian relations are subject to the same criticism with President Abdel-Fattah El-Sisi's expected visit to the UK. Human rights organisations, such as Amnesty International, expressed their concern about the detainees in Egypt under the current regime. Other organisations, such as Union Solidarity International, called on British Prime Minister David Cameron to rescind the invitation to his Egyptian counterpart.
No matter the concerns that are voiced regarding the visit, it will take place, especially considering the importance of stability in Egypt and the fulfilment of the political roadmap as announced by El-Sisi on 3 July 2013.
It can be argued that there are some elements that explain and highlight the relations between the two countries.
First, it is important to Cameron to maintain British influence in Egypt due to the country’s previous colonial status and its strategic role in Middle Eastern politics. Britain needs to have strong relations with Egypt and to use its diplomatic ties in order to play a role in regional issues, such as Syria, the Israeli-Palestinian conflict, and others. It is a historical element that will last long into the future.
Secondly, Egypt under El-Sisi has been working hard to combat terrorism, especially against the Islamic State group and its affiliates, such as the Ansar Beit Al-Maqdis in North Sinai.
Egypt is seen by Britain and other Western countries as a vital counter-terrorism partner. Discussions between the two leaders will tackle this issue and it will be at the top of the agenda. The threat of extremists extends far across the globe and El-Sisi can get more support if he shows strength and achieves success against these Islamist militants.
The issue of the Muslim Brotherhood is problematic since Britain hosts the group’s European headquarters. Investigations into the finances of the group revealed nothing as details about this report were never disclosed. While this issue will be a crucial one in the talks between them, it will be a secondary issue. The Egyptian regime considers the Brotherhood a terrorist organisation and has banned it. Hundreds of its members remain in prison and some of them were sentenced to death, including former president Mohamed Morsi.
It can be argued that some politicians and journalists in Britain consider the ousting of Morsi an illegitimate coup. In this context, Sarah Leah Whitson, the Human Rights Watch director, said that Britain’s backing of El-Sisi is driving young Muslims to join radical groups. There is a pragmatic view of the current regime in Egypt as far as stability exists. This is the reason British officials, such as the foreign secretary, congratulated El-Sisi when he won the presidential elections last year.
Britain is keen to support stability in Egypt by helping its economy. The British foreign secretary, Philip Hammond, attended the economic forum in Egypt in March this year. A British delegation of large companies and the minister of the Middle East, Tobias Ellwood, visited Cairo to discuss economic issues with Egypt.
While the Foreign Commonwealth Office (FCO) mentioned that investment in Egypt in 2014 was at more than $5 billion, those investments are still low and are mainly in the gas and oil field. The Egyptian delegation accompanying President El-Sisi will include the minister of investment and others who will focus on trade and investments.
Arms trade with Britain is low compared to the American and French arms deals with Egypt. There was a $77 million arms deal between the two countries in the first three months of this year, which will be discussed during the visit as part of helping Egypt to combat terrorism.
Finally, it can be said that this visit will consolidate the relations between the two sides, especially in the realm of counter-terrorism and some military and trade deals. It is not expected to include major investment deals since the environment in Egypt should be improved to attract investors. The exception is the gas and oil industry. The issues of the Muslim Brotherhood prisoners and their presence in the UK will be discussed briefly since the two leaders have different views on it and they will focus on the common ground that makes them closer.
While El-Sisi is looking for more investments and explaining his side with regard to the current political situation in Egypt, Cameron wants more cooperation against the extremists and more stability in Egypt by way of helping its economy.
The British politicians are pragmatic in dealing with their counterparts in other countries. When William Hague was the foreign secretary I asked him about dealing with former president Morsi. He told me that Britain did not change its stance on Islamists in power since it only believes in the democratic system and is against religious and military regimes.
He added that Britain deals with other regimes on the basis of mutual interests.
El-Sisi’s visit to the UK will be determined by Britain’s pragmatic views towards Egypt.
