Nigeria: Mother of jailed Egyptianactivist to end hunger strike if UKshows progress

By Zuleihat Owuiye, Mamos Nigeria
Laila Soueif, the 68-year-old mother of jailed Egyptian activist Alaa Abd el-Fattah, has been on
a 150-day hunger strike to secure her son’s release. Soueif was hospitalized this week due to low
blood sugar levels, but has agreed to end her hunger strike if the UK government shows progress
in efforts to free her son.
Abd el-Fattah, a British-Egyptian writer and activist, has been jailed repeatedly by the Egyptian
government. He completed his five-year sentence in September, but remains in detention. The
UK government has been criticized for not doing enough to secure his release.
Soueif has been protesting outside Downing Street for an hour each weekday, holding a sign that
reads “#FreeAlaa.” Her doctor has warned that she is at risk of sudden death due to her hunger
strike.
The UK government has been in touch with the Egyptian government, but so far, no progress has
been made. Keir Starmer, the UK’s opposition leader, has written to Egyptian President Abdel
Fatah al-Sisi twice, but has not received a response.

The family is frustrated with the lack of progress and is calling on the UK government to do
more to secure Abd el-Fattah’s release. They are also seeking a cross-government policy to make
contracts with the Egyptian government contingent on progress with Abd el-Fattah’s release.
Soueif’s hunger strike has sparked widespread concern, with many calling for her son’s
immediate release. The situation remains dire, with Soueif’s health at risk and Abd el-Fattah’s
fate uncertain.