Egypt Adds ‘al-Gamaa al-Islamiya’ to Terror List

Top official of al-Gamaa al-Islamiya Tarek al-Zumar (Asharq A-Awsat)
Top official of al-Gamaa al-Islamiya Tarek al-Zumar (Asharq A-Awsat)
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Egypt Adds ‘al-Gamaa al-Islamiya’ to Terror List

Top official of al-Gamaa al-Islamiya Tarek al-Zumar (Asharq A-Awsat)
Top official of al-Gamaa al-Islamiya Tarek al-Zumar (Asharq A-Awsat)

The Cairo Criminal Court has added Islamist group al-Gamaa al-Islamiya as well as 164 of its leaders and members to a list of terrorist entities, in a decision that could expedite the dissolution of “Building and Development” party, the group’s political arm.

Gamaa is the most prominent ally of the Muslim Brotherhood, which authorities classify as "terrorist" since the overthrow of former president Mohamed Morsi.

The court ruling also includes putting Tarek al-Zumar, Mohammed Shawki al-Islambouli, both fugitives in Turkey, Assem Abdelmajid, who is in Qatar, and others on the terrorist list for five years.

The Official gazette “Waqae Masriyya” reported in its Sunday issue that that the decision was announced by the Criminal Court, based on the investigations and reports of State Security Prosecutor's Office. It identified al-Gamaa al-Islamiya as a “terrorist entity” established contrary to the provisions of the law with the goal of forcibly changing the regime.

The newspaper also indicated that the group advocates disruption of the provisions of the Constitution and laws, the paralysis of state institutions and public authorities, and violates personal and public freedoms of citizens.

Article 237-1 of the Constitution stipulates that the state is obliged to counter terrorism in all its forms and its sources of funding as a threat to the homeland and citizens, while guaranteeing rights and freedoms.

The court based its decision on the findings of the Supreme State Security Prosecutor's Office in September, as well as that of the national security sector.

Investigations revealed that following the events of January 25, 2011, many leaders and members of Gamaa abandoned their previous initiative to end violence, and declared their adherence to the organization’s ideology calling for the atonement of the ruler for not applying the Sharia law, and establishing an Islamic state.

The gazette noted that some members of the group are linked to al-Qaeda while some of their top members joined the so-called National Coalition to Support Legitimacy of Muslim Brotherhood in Turkey, most notably Assem Abdelmajid, Tarek al-Zumar, Mohammed al-Islambouli, Assem Diab and Khaled al-Sharif.

The Coalition was established in 2013 after Morsi was ousted.

The court said that the defendants held organizational meetings and agreed to revive al-Gamaa al-Islamiya by providing financial support to members to purchase weapons and ammunition. 

They also aim to use social media to spread false and fake news wanting to create strife and rift between the people and the government.

According to the Law on organizing terrorist entities and terrorists, the court’s decision will include other measures against the defendants, such as freezing their assets, listing them on a travel ban, revoking passports and preventing the issuance of new passports.

In a few months, the Political Affairs Department of the Supreme Administrative Court will appeal the parliamentary Party Affairs Committee's request to dissolve the “Building and Development” party and liquidate its funds on charges of financing and supporting terrorism and extremism.

The Party usually emphasizes its adherence to "peaceful opposition and comprehensive community reconciliation."

Political parties affiliated with religious groups, including al-Gamaa al-Islamiya, were founded after the January 25 revolution.



Sudan Waterborne Disease Outbreak Kills 24, Hospitalizes 800, Says MSF

A truck drives past a Sudanese army tank at the entrance of Wad Madani in Sudan's al-Jazira state on February 20, 2025, after the regular army forces reclaimed the area from its rival Rapid Support Forces (RSF) last month. (AFP)
A truck drives past a Sudanese army tank at the entrance of Wad Madani in Sudan's al-Jazira state on February 20, 2025, after the regular army forces reclaimed the area from its rival Rapid Support Forces (RSF) last month. (AFP)
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Sudan Waterborne Disease Outbreak Kills 24, Hospitalizes 800, Says MSF

A truck drives past a Sudanese army tank at the entrance of Wad Madani in Sudan's al-Jazira state on February 20, 2025, after the regular army forces reclaimed the area from its rival Rapid Support Forces (RSF) last month. (AFP)
A truck drives past a Sudanese army tank at the entrance of Wad Madani in Sudan's al-Jazira state on February 20, 2025, after the regular army forces reclaimed the area from its rival Rapid Support Forces (RSF) last month. (AFP)

An “out-of-control” waterborne disease outbreak in southern Sudan has killed at least two dozen and left more than 800 others in hospital over the past three days, Doctors Without Borders (MSF) said on Friday.

The outbreak in White Nile state followed a reported drone strike on the Um Dabakar power station 170 miles south of the capital Khartoum which disrupted access to clean water in the city of Kosti.

It comes with Sudan’s healthcare system crippled by the country’s brutal civil war which has killed tens of thousands and displaced more than 12 million people.

“The most likely source of infection is the river, where many families have been collecting water using donkey carts after a major power outage in the area,” the medical charity said in a statement.

Officials have since banned the practice and urged stronger chlorination of the water distribution system. Most local restaurants and Kosti’s market have closed as a precaution.

The outbreak has overwhelmed the cholera treatment center at Kosti Teaching Hospital, the French-based charity said, with patients suffering from “acute diarrhea, dehydration, vomiting, and sunken eyes.”

“The situation is really alarming and is about to get out of control,” Dr Francis Layoo Ocan, MSF’s medical coordinator in Kosti.

“We’ve run out of space, and we are now admitting patients in an open area and treating them on the floor because there are not enough beds,” he added.

Rising toll

MSF, which has been supporting cholera care in the region since October, reported a sharp rise in admissions from Wednesday night, when 100 new patients arrived at the cholera treatment center.

By Friday afternoon, that figure had swelled to more than 800. At least 24 people have died, including one patient who was dead on arrival. Forty-eight others have been discharged.

“The numbers continue to rise, and keeping a detailed tally has become difficult for the team,” MSF said.

Since April 2023, Sudan has been gripped by a conflict between army chief Abdel Fattah al-Burhan and Mohamed Hamdan Daglo, leader of the paramilitary Rapid Support Forces (RSF).

The fighting has taken a toll on the country’s health infrastructure with 80 percent of health facilities in conflict-affected areas no longer functioning, according to official figures.

Sudan declared a cholera epidemic last year, with nearly 25,000 cases and 699 deaths recorded by October, according to government data.

The World Health Organization (WHO) warns that cholera can kill within hours if untreated, though most cases can be managed with oral rehydration and antibiotics.

The International Committee of the Red Cross last month highlighted a “disturbing pattern of attacks” on civilian infrastructure, including power stations, further worsening living conditions for millions already affected by the conflict.

White Nile state, which stretches from south of Khartoum to the South Sudanese border, has seen escalating violence this week.

A three-day RSF assault on villages about 200 kilometers north of Kosti killed more than 200 people earlier this week.