Timeline
Fateful issues. In order.
Scroll down. Each entry links to a source. The record starts on 25 January 2011.
2011
Politics
The January 25 uprising begins
Tens of thousands protest in Cairo and other cities against unemployment, corruption and the Mubarak government.
Source: BBC
Politics
Mubarak resigns; military council takes over
After 18 days of protests, Hosni Mubarak steps down. The Supreme Council of the Armed Forces (SCAF) assumes power.
Source: Carnegie Endowment
Politics
First post-Mubarak parliamentary elections
Egypt holds its first parliamentary elections since the uprising, with high turnout reported in the first stage.
Source: BBC
2012
Politics
Mohamed Morsi elected president
The Muslim Brotherhood’s Mohamed Morsi is declared the winner of Egypt’s first freely contested presidential election.
Source: The New York Times
Politics
Contested constitution approved
A new constitution backed by Morsi is approved with 63.8% of the vote, but only about one-third of eligible voters take part.
Source: BBC
2013
Politics
Morsi ousted by the military
The armed forces remove President Morsi after mass protests, suspend the constitution and install an interim administration.
Source: BBC
Rights
Rabaa and Nahda sit-ins dispersed
Security forces clear pro-Morsi sit-ins in Cairo and Giza. Hundreds are killed in one of the deadliest days in modern Egyptian history.
Source: Human Rights Watch
Rights
Anti-protest law enacted
Law 107 of 2013 imposes heavy restrictions on public gatherings and protests.
Source: CIHRS
2014
Politics
New constitution approved by referendum
The military-backed constitution passes with 98.1% of the vote, with turnout at 38.6%.
Source: The New York Times
Politics
Abdel Fattah al-Sisi elected president
The former armed forces chief, who led the 2013 takeover, is elected president.
2015
Rights
Anti-terrorism law enacted
Law 94 of 2015 introduces broad definitions of terrorism and is used against dissent.
Source: CIHRS
2016
Sovereignty
Egypt and Saudi Arabia sign islands agreement
A maritime demarcation agreement places Tiran and Sanafir under Saudi sovereignty. The government says the islands were Saudi territory in Egyptian custody since the 1950s.
Source: Zawia3
Economy
IMF approves $12 billion loan
The IMF approves a three-year Extended Fund Facility of about $12 billion, tied to a reform programme.
Source: IMF
2017
Sovereignty
Court upholds Egyptian sovereignty over the islands
The Supreme Administrative Court upholds a ruling nullifying the transfer, saying Egyptian sovereignty over Tiran and Sanafir is incontestable.
Source: Zawia3
Rights
State of emergency imposed nationwide
After two church bombings, a nationwide state of emergency is declared and repeatedly renewed.
Sovereignty
Parliament approves islands transfer
Parliament approves the maritime agreement despite the final court ruling against it. President Sisi ratifies it on 24 June.
Source: Zawia3
2018
Sovereignty
Supreme Constitutional Court rules on conflicting judgments
The Supreme Constitutional Court says conflicting judgments on the islands agreement should be disregarded.
Source: Zawia3
2019
Politics
Constitutional amendments extend presidential term
A referendum approves amendments extending the presidential term from four to six years, keeping Sisi in office until 2030.
Source: BBC
Rights
Rare protests and mass arrests
Protests erupt after videos by contractor Mohamed Ali alleging corruption. Nearly 2,000 people are arrested in a nationwide crackdown.
Source: Human Rights Watch
2020
2021
Rights
State of emergency lifted
President Sisi announces he will not extend the nationwide state of emergency, in force since 2017.
Source: Presidency of Egypt
2022
Economy
IMF approves $3 billion loan
The IMF approves a 46-month Extended Fund Facility of $3 billion. The pound is devalued again.
Source: Reuters / Investing.com
2023
Economy
Pound falls to record low
The Egyptian pound drops below 31 to the dollar, losing about half its value since March 2022.
Source: Associated Press
2024
Sovereignty
Ras El-Hekma deal signed: $35 billion
Egypt signs a $35 billion agreement with Abu Dhabi’s ADQ to develop Ras El-Hekma. Egypt retains 35% of project profits.
Source: Bloomberg
Economy
IMF loan expanded to $8 billion
The IMF completes reviews and augments Egypt’s programme to $8 billion, citing the Ras El-Hekma deal as easing financing pressures.
Source: IMF
2025
Nile water
GERD inaugurated
Ethiopia formally inaugurates the Grand Ethiopian Renaissance Dam, despite unresolved disputes with Egypt and Sudan over filling and operation.
Source: Associated Press
Sovereignty
Alam El-Roum deal signed: $29.7 billion
Egypt and Qatar’s Qatari Diar sign a $29.7 billion agreement to develop the Alam El-Roum area on the North Coast.
Source: Egypt State Information Service
2026
Politics
Parliamentary elections: 32.4% turnout
The National Elections Authority announces a final turnout of 32.41% in the 2025 parliamentary elections.
Source: Xinhua
Sovereignty
High Administrative Court again voids islands agreement
The High Administrative Court upholds a lower ruling declaring the 2016 islands agreement unconstitutional and void.
Source: Legalbrief
Sovereignty
Supreme Constitutional Court rules on the islands agreement
The Supreme Constitutional Court rules that all judicial decisions by the administrative and urgent matters courts on the islands agreement are invalid, opening the way for ratification.
Source: Al-Watan