Egypt since its revolution 5 years ago
Former president Hosni Mubarak. AP FILE PHOTO
CAIRO, Egypt—Key developments in Egypt since the January 2011 uprising that toppled the 30-year rule of president Hosni Mubarak:
READ: Report: Egypt’s Mubarak to return to prison
The revolution
On January 25, 2011, massive anti-Mubarak protests erupt after a revolt topples Tunisia’s ruler in what becomes known as the Arab Spring. On February 1, more than a million demonstrators take to the streets in the country, with a great flood of people congregating in Cairo’s Tahrir Square.
On February 11, Mubarak resigns and hands power to the army, which suspends the constitution and dissolves parliament.
About 850 people die during 18 days of revolt.
Islamist victory
From November 2011 to January 2012, Egypt holds post-revolt parliamentary elections. Islamists win about two-thirds of the seats, half of which go to the Muslim Brotherhood. In June, the parliament is dissolved when a court rules it is illegal.
On June 30, 2012, Brotherhood candidate Mohamed Morsi becomes president after winning the election with 51.7 percent of the vote. He becomes Egypt’s first freely elected civilian and Islamist leader.
In August, Morsi replaces Defence Minister Hussein Tantawi with military intelligence chief Abdel Fattah al-Sisi.
Morsi ousted, Sisi in power
On July 3, 2013, Sisi ousts Morsi after massive protests against his one-year rule, and freezes the Islamist-drafted constitution. Morsi denounces a “coup” as authorities launch a crackdown against his supporters.
On August 14, security forces move against two pro-Morsi protest camps in Cairo, killing at least 700 people.
Since Morsi’s removal, at least 1,400 people have been killed in a police crackdown on protests, mostly Islamists.
Tens of thousands of Morsi’s supporters have been arrested and hundreds, including Morsi himself, have been sentenced to death.
In December, the government declares the Brotherhood a “terrorist” organization.
In January 2014, voters overwhelmingly approve a new constitution that strengthens the role of the army.
On June 8, Sisi is sworn in as president having won 96.9 percent of a vote boycotted by the Brotherhood and secular dissidents.
In late 2015, a new parliament dominated by supporters of Sisi is elected.
Jihadist unrest, economic accords
On February 10, 2015, during a visit to Cairo by President Vladimir Putin, Egypt and Russia agree to jointly build Egypt’s first nuclear power plant.
On February 16, Cairo carries out air strikes against the Islamic State of Iraq and Syria (ISIS) jihadist group in neighboring Libya after a graphic video is released showing the beheading of 21 Egyptian Coptic Christians there.
On October 10, Egypt signs a deal with France to buy two Mistral warships.
On October 31, a Russian passenger plane blows up in the Sinai, killing all 224 people on board. ISIS says it smuggled a bomb on board, while Moscow says an investigation has found that the plane was brought down by a bomb.
READ: Russian passenger plane crashes in Sinai—Egypt officials
The jihadist group’s Egyptian affiliate, which is particularly active in the north of the Sinai Peninsula, has killed hundreds of policemen and soldiers.
On December 16, Saudi Arabia pledges a total of $8 billion in investment and aid to Egypt, along with petrol supplies, over the next five years.
On January 21, 2016, Chinese President Xi Jinping signs economic deals worth $15 billion (13.8 billion euros) with Egypt.
