COSATU joins the world in its outrage at the unfolding events in Egypt where the military has intensified the persecution of activists and journalists since the removal of former President Morsi from power in one of history’s well crafted coup.

The brutal hold of the military regime in Egypt backed by the US which has just ciontributed millions to sustain the oppressive regime of General Abdel Fatah al-Sisi, which was elected in a military circus disguised as elections in that country.

The “elections” were conducted in an environment of mass detentions against political opponents including former President Morsi, brutal crackdown on the media and political activists, particularly those who were involved in the 2011 uprisings and the generalised militarisation of the whole Egyptian society.

Four journalists of the Al Jazeera network have been sentenced to between 7 and 10 years in jail for reporting the coup by the military and the rise of General Al-Sisi to power in the most undemocratic way.

According to the Committee to Protect Journalists (CPJ), “Egypt, Syria and Iraq have become amongst the deadliest countries for journalists to work in”. In a special report released by the New York-based organisation, it said, ‘conditions in the country had deteriorated dramatically”.

In this regard, we support the progressive forces of Egypt in their demand for return to democratic normality in the country, the release of all political prisoners and journalists, the end to the legalised military dictatorship subsidized by US imperialism and the right of workers to freely form and join trade unions of their choice.