A significant gap exists between the statements of Egypt's officials and the actual implementation of their promises. This disparity is evident across various levels of government, from the lowest to the highest ranks. For instance, government officials, including the Prime Minister, frequently assert their efforts to control markets and combat rising prices. However, the reality shows that prices of goods and services continue to increase daily. There seems to be a lack of effective government oversight and tools to fulfill these promises.
The government's actions sometimes contribute to the rise in prices. Recently, President Abdel Fattah el-Sisi met with Interior Minister Ahmed Basiony, discussing the need to reduce costs and streamline procedures for vehicle licensing and traffic services. In response, the Interior Ministry announced the reduction of fees for certain licenses and prohibited the collection of additional, unregulated fees. It would be beneficial if the President issued similar directives to ministers of petroleum, electricity, supply, and transportation to lower prices of essential services and goods.
The discrepancy between words and actions is also apparent in other critical areas, such as the restructuring of state-owned assets through public offerings. The program aims to attract foreign investment and support the private sector, ultimately providing foreign currency to service external debts. However, this process has taken on characteristics of privatization, which has a poor reputation in Egypt. Furthermore, the government's rhetoric on managing public debt contrasts with the reality of increasing domestic and foreign debt.
The gap between official statements and reality is evident in areas like social support programs, education, healthcare, and investment promotion. The government's discourse on these issues often suggests a commitment to improvement, but the actual implementation falls short. For example, despite claims of enhancing public freedoms and media rights, the reality reveals significant restrictions on these freedoms, particularly for journalists, human rights activists, and opposition figures.
International reports provide a more accurate assessment of Egypt's standing in these areas, often highlighting shortcomings. In the realm of intellectual and cultural activities, state institutions' actions often contradict their stated goals. For instance, the National Council for Human Rights, on the International Day for Access to Information, emphasized the importance of information availability for citizen participation and government accountability. However, the council has not taken concrete steps, such as drafting a law on freedom of information, despite repeated promises from government and parliamentary leaders.
Another example is the conference on "National Identity: Roots and a Renewed Vision," held at the Bibliotheca Alexandrina. While the conference produced recommendations, they may remain theoretical and not translate into tangible actions. A pressing issue that requires attention is the marginalization of the Arabic language in schools, particularly in international schools. It would be more productive for the conference participants to focus on supporting the Minister of Education's efforts to enforce the teaching of Arabic, religious studies, and Egyptian history in international schools.
The Egyptian government should prioritize preserving national identity, particularly through the promotion of the Arabic language. Historically, institutions like the Arabic Language Council have proposed measures to safeguard the language, such as regulating the names of shops and establishments. However, these initiatives often lose momentum over time. Unless concrete actions are taken, recommendations from conferences and councils may suffer a similar fate, rendering them ineffective in shaping Egypt's future.
Key points
- The gap between officials' statements and actions in Egypt needs to be addressed to build trust and improve living conditions.
- Egypt's national identity and cultural heritage require preservation and promotion through concrete actions.
- The government must prioritize the implementation of policies and laws that support its stated goals.
