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Egypt-UK Inaugurate First Partnership Council

Egypt’s Foreign Minister Sameh Shoukry and Lord Tariq Ahmad (Egyptian Foreign Ministry)
Egypt’s Foreign Minister Sameh Shoukry and Lord Tariq Ahmad (Egyptian Foreign Ministry)
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Egypt-UK Inaugurate First Partnership Council

Egypt’s Foreign Minister Sameh Shoukry and Lord Tariq Ahmad (Egyptian Foreign Ministry)
Egypt’s Foreign Minister Sameh Shoukry and Lord Tariq Ahmad (Egyptian Foreign Ministry)

Egypt’s Foreign Minister Sameh Shoukry kicked off an official visit to London on Monday to inaugurate the first Egypt-UK partnership council.

The council will be co-chaired by Shoukry and British Foreign Secretary Liz Truss. It will include political consultations and discussions on economic and trade issues, with the participation of British Minister of State for Trade Policy Penny Mordaunt.

Foreign Ministry spokesman Ahmed Hafez said this step comes in line with efforts to bolster bilateral cooperation in various fields, as Shoukry is scheduled to hold several meetings in this regard.

The FM first met with British Minister for South Asia, North Africa, the United Nations and the Commonwealth at the Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office (FCDO) Lord Tariq Ahmad.

Hafez said Shoukry welcomed the open dialogue between Cairo and London on various issues of common interest, as well as the ongoing communication between the two sides.

They underscored the importance of launching the Egypt-UK partnership council, which will contribute to further enhancing joint action and bilateral cooperation, as well as increasing British investments in Egypt and the volume of trade exchange.

Talks also touched on the current global economic crisis and ways to mitigate its effects.

Shoukry affirmed Egypt’s participation in the upcoming international Ministerial Conference, which will be hosted by London on July 5, to promote freedom of religion or belief.

He cited Cairo’s achievements in this regard, as well as the state’s keenness to uphold the principles of citizenship, equality and non-discrimination among citizens.

Hafez said both ministers exchanged views on issues related to the human rights situation, in addition to several regional and international issues of common interest, including the situation in Libya and the ongoing developments there.

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Arab World

Jordan Moves to Ban Muslim Brotherhood as ‘Illegal’ Group

Jordanian government spokesman Mohammad Momani announces details of terrorist cell arrests in Amman. (Petra)
Jordanian government spokesman Mohammad Momani announces details of terrorist cell arrests in Amman. (Petra)
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Jordan Moves to Ban Muslim Brotherhood as ‘Illegal’ Group

Jordanian government spokesman Mohammad Momani announces details of terrorist cell arrests in Amman. (Petra)
Jordanian government spokesman Mohammad Momani announces details of terrorist cell arrests in Amman. (Petra)

As the fallout continues from Jordan’s recent security crackdown on a militant cell accused of manufacturing missiles and drones, officials remain tight-lipped about why a court-banned branch of the Muslim Brotherhood continues to operate freely.

The group, declared illegal by a final court ruling in 2020, has maintained its political activities with apparent impunity—a contradiction analysts say points to selective enforcement of the law.

While Jordanian authorities have detained extremists over what was described as a “chaos plot,” they have avoided confronting the unlicensed movement. The Brotherhood’s continued presence, despite Article 159 of the penal code criminalizing illegal associations with potential jail sentences, has puzzled observers.

Analysts say the government’s “soft containment” approach reflects a broader political culture in Amman that avoids clashes with groups enjoying popular support, even if that means ignoring binding court decisions.

Critics argue the state’s flexibility towards the Brotherhood undermines legal consistency and raises questions about the rule of law, especially as other groups face swift and public consequences.

Jordan’s government appears to have taken a markedly tougher stance following the recent exposure of the militant cell allegedly backed by foreign actors and accused of planning attacks with home-built missiles and drones targeting domestic sites—not under the pretext of “supporting the resistance in Gaza”.

The discovery of the plot has prompted a reassessment within the country’s decision-making circles, which are now closely watching for verdicts from the State Security Court—the judicial body with jurisdiction over terrorism and national security cases.

While authorities have clamped down on the immediate threat, they have stopped short of confronting the unlicensed Muslim Brotherhood group and its political wing, the Islamic Action Front.

Analysts say officials are treading cautiously, wary of provoking parliamentary unrest or street mobilizations that the faction could spearhead if directly challenged.

The government’s current posture suggests a strategic pause—one that balances national security concerns with the potential political fallout of taking on a well-rooted opposition force.

Jordanian decision-makers, however, are stepping up preparations on multiple fronts as the country braces for a possible legal showdown with the Brotherhood.

Authorities are weighing the implications of formally designating the Brotherhood as an unlicensed entity, a move that would entail shutting down its activities, seizing its assets and properties, and treating any political statements or public events linked to its members as violations subject to prosecution under the penal code and counterterrorism laws.

Behind the scenes, government institutions are working to draw a legal and operational distinction between the Brotherhood and the Islamic Action Front, which remains registered under the country’s political parties law.

This delicate balancing act hinges on upcoming hearings at the State Security Court, expected to begin next week. However, officials fear that any legal escalation could spark backlash, including street protests or social media campaigns led by the Islamic Action Front.

Analysts say such a scenario could force authorities to take more decisive measures, including dissolving the party itself, in a bid to dismantle what critics view as a monopolized Islamist platform and reassert control over religious political representation in the kingdom.