A bag of sugar is a prized possession at a time of deprivation in Egypt (Photos: AFP/Imagebank)

M

ost people take for granted putting a spoonful of sugar into their morning coffee or tea but in Egypt it has become an unaffordable luxury. The public has taken notice and is none too pleased.

The sugar shortage is just one of many economic woes facingEgypt’s government. In a country where the average person lives on $2 per day illiteracy is at 35% and at least 15% of the population is unemployed the government of President Abdel Fattah al-Sisi has turned to the International Monetary Fund for a $12-billion bailout. To get the loan however Cairomust impose unpopular austerity measures.

Israelis closely monitoringEgypt’s instability.Jerusalemhas formed a close alliance with al-Sisi who has worked withJerusalemto destroy Hamas smuggling tunnels intoGazaand stand up to Islamic State in Sinai.Egyptis facing a terror war in Sinai that could also threatenIsraelone day.

Zvi MazelIsrael’s sixth ambassador toEgyptand now a fellow at theJerusalemCenterfor Public Affairs told Mishpacha that al-Sisi is “struggling” to implement badly-needed economic reforms in a traditionally Muslim country of 90 million people.

Mazel says the IMF conditions are painful but necessary. They include a 13% value-added tax floating the Egyptian pound (which resulted in devaluation) and sharply cutting subsidies for energy products.

Egypt’s tottering economy has cost al-Sisi support at home. His popularity numbers dropped 14 points in October the lowest since he came to power but still hover at a respectable 68%.