Egypt swears in new government

CAIRO

Egypt’s new government was sworn in Wednesday, which saw several major changes, including the defense, foreign and economy portfolios.

Headed by Prime Minister Mostafa Madbouly, who has been in office since 2018, the new cabinet took the oath before President Abdel-Fattah al-Sisi.

Defense Minister Mohamed Zaki was replaced by Field Marshal Abdel Majeed Saqr, formerly the governor of the canal city of Suez in northeastern Egypt.

Veteran diplomat Badr Abdelatty was also named as Foreign Minister, replacing Sameh Shoukry, who had held the post since 2014.

Finance Minister Mohamed Maait was replaced by his deputy Ahmed Kouchouk, a former World Bank economist.

On June 3, Madbouly submitted his government’s resignation and Sisi tasked him with forming a new cabinet.

Since Sisi assumed the presidency on June 3, 2014, Egypt has seen three governments. The first, chaired by Ibrahim Mahlab, saw a single ministerial change and remained in office until September 2015. The second, led by Sherif Ismail, underwent four reshuffles and resigned in June 2018.

Madbouly's administration, the third, has seen six ministerial reshuffles before this latest one as Sisi begins a new presidential term.

*Writing by Mohammad Sio