In the heart of Cairo, where public dissent once roared through the streets with raw, unpredictable power, something has changed. On March 31, as Egyptians poured out for what appeared to be pro-Palestinian demonstrations during Eid al-Fitr, the story unfolding was not quite what it seemed. The noise wasn’t spontaneous. It was choreographed. Egypt’s President Abdel Fattah al-Sisi wasn’t reacting to public sentiment — he was directing it.
Protest as Performance, Not Pressure
The rallies weren’t simply grassroots outrage over Gaza. That’s just the surface. Scratch beneath, and you’ll find a calculated performance orchestrated from the top.
Sisi’s regime understands the art of political spectacle. These protests were allowed — even encouraged — not to threaten power but to stage-manage it. They were carefully timed, heavily surveilled, and strategically placed. Protesters chanted, but the lines were drawn: no criticism of the regime, no disruption to state order, no crossing invisible red lines.
In fact, many Egyptians noted the unusual absence of riot police. That alone was a clue.
Sisi’s Balancing Act: Israel, Gaza, and Washington
Egypt’s government finds itself in a diplomatic bind.
On one side, public anger is boiling over at Israel’s bombardment of Gaza. On the other, Cairo depends on U.S. military aid and has decades of diplomatic investment in peace with Israel. Sisi has tried to balance both, but the pressure is mounting.
For many Egyptians, Sisi’s gestures — field hospitals, humanitarian corridors, televised concern — ring hollow. The reality? Many believe he’s doing too little, too late. They’re not just mad at Israel. They’re frustrated with their own government’s silence.
Sisi’s silence is strategic, not timid. His plan is to channel this national fury without letting it spiral out of control.
Choreographed Outrage: How the Regime Shapes Dissent
If the street can’t be silenced, it must be steered. That’s the Sisi playbook.
The March 31 protests were “greenlighted” — a common tactic in Egypt’s recent history. Security forces monitored without cracking down. State media gave them limited coverage, framing them as solidarity actions, not political unrest.
One small paragraph buried in the local press said it all: “Citizens gather to show support for Palestine.” Nothing about Sisi. Nothing about anger at the regime.
That’s the point.
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The regime allows protests on tightly controlled terms
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Surveillance drones monitor crowds while plainclothes officers blend in
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The Ministry of Interior quietly takes photos and records chants
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Organizers are often known informants or closely watched activists
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Coverage is sanitized, framed as “patriotic” rather than defiant
By giving people space to vent, the regime keeps tighter control.
A Long History of Staged Dissent
This isn’t new for Egypt. Under Hosni Mubarak, “licensed protests” were part of the authoritarian toolkit. Under Sisi, it’s evolved.
The difference now is how sophisticated it’s become. State security studies the social mood like a barometer. Officials know when to tighten the screws and when to release steam. March 31 was a pressure valve moment.
And the public? They’re aware. Egyptians are no fools. Many understand they’re being managed — yet show up anyway. It’s not always about winning. It’s about being seen. It’s about saying, “We’re still here.”
Sometimes performance becomes resistance, even when it’s state-approved.
Why This Strategy Works — For Now
Let’s be honest. Egypt isn’t in 2011 anymore. The energy that overthrew Mubarak has been stifled by a decade of surveillance, repression, and fear. Tahrir Square is now a tightly guarded ghost of itself. But that doesn’t mean people have given up. They’ve just adapted.
Sisi banks on fatigue. He counts on the fact that most people are too tired, too afraid, or too cynical to protest unless it’s safe. So he makes it safe — on his terms.
A recent survey by Arab Barometer showed that over 70% of Egyptians believe protests are “not worth the risk.” Another 62% say they would not trust the police in a protest setting. These numbers paint a clear picture: fear and resignation rule the day.
Yet even controlled protests serve a purpose. They create the illusion of responsiveness. They let Sisi gesture to the West — Look, I’m allowing expression. See? I’m not a dictator.
Table: Comparing Protest Response Under Different Egyptian Leaders
| Leader | Protest Response | Public Perception | Common Strategy |
|---|---|---|---|
| Hosni Mubarak | Suppression with occasional tolerance | Arrogant but stable | Co-opting opposition leaders |
| Mohamed Morsi | Volatile and reactive | Divisive and weak | Defensive posture, no clear control |
| Abdel Fattah al-Sisi | Calculated management | Repressive but efficient | Staged protests, selective tolerance |
Cracks in the Script
Still, cracks are beginning to show. As the Gaza war drags on and economic hardship deepens, anger simmers.
The Egyptian pound has lost over half its value since 2022. Food prices have surged. And in the eyes of many Egyptians, their leader is prioritizing geopolitical poker over their daily struggles.
When that frustration aligns with political discontent, the regime’s control may fray.
But for now, Sisi controls the narrative. He doesn’t silence protest — he scripts it.
