The Biden administration is overriding human rights conditions placed on military aid to Egypt to provide the country with the full $1.3 billion of annual military aid Cairo usually receives each year.
Out of the $1.3 billion, $320 million is subject to conditions under legislation passed by Congress, and President Biden has withheld a small portion of it each year he’s been in office until now. Last year, the administration withheld $85 million.
The main concern regarding human rights in Egypt is over President Abdel Fattah al-Sisi’s treatment of political opponents, which has involved imprisonment and torture. The administration said the decision to override the human rights conditions was related to Egypt’s involvement in mediating ceasefire talks between Israel and Hamas.
“This decision is important to advancing regional peace and Egypt’s specific and ongoing contributions to US national security priorities, particularly to finalize a ceasefire agreement for Gaza, bring the hostages home, surge humanitarian assistance for Palestinians in need, and help bring an enduring end to the Israel-Hamas conflict,” a State Department spokesperson told Reuters.
The US gives military aid to Egypt through Foreign Military Financing, a State Department program that gives foreign governments money to purchase US-made arms. Egypt is one of the top recipients of US military aid, an arrangement that began after Cairo signed a peace treaty with Israel in 1979.
