Nile islanders face eviction - in pictures

Residents have opposed an Egyptian development project that they say would change the island's character

Residents of a Nile island in greater Cairo say that officials have been taking measurements of their houses - a final step before enforcing demolition orders. All photos: AFP

This picture taken on August 31, 2022 shows a view of a building next to farmland near the "Tahya Masr" (Long Live Egypt) overpass in the Nile island of Warraq, which connects Egypt's capital Cairo to Giza province opposite. - Residents of a Nile island in northern Cairo woke up recently to find officials taking measurements of their houses -- a final step before enforcing demolition orders. Since then, people from Warraq -- some of whom have been on the working-class agricultural island for generations -- have been opposing a mega development project that would see their homes razed and the island's character erased. (Photo by Khaled DESOUKI / AFP)

With its green fields, red-brick buildings, irrigation canals and livestock farming, Warraq - located in Giza governorate and home to about 100,000 people - is only a ferry ride away from Cairo's traffic-choked streets.

The Egyptian government unveiled an almost billion-dollar plan for the six-square-kilometre island's redevelopment in July, featuring skyscrapers and marinas.

"We pay our taxes, our water and power bills, why can't we benefit from the development of our island?" said a resident. Authorities "gave some residents four days to leave their homes" in late July.

The project for the capital's largest island was reactivated under President Abdel Fattah El Sisi.

In 2017, authorities moved to demolish "illegal" buildings on Warraq. The operation triggered clashes between residents and security forces, during which at least one person was killed.

Some residents are not against relocating but demanded fair compensation, saying that a recent government offer was too low. "They proposed 1,400 Egyptian pounds ($73) per square metre," one said. "You can't buy anything off the island with that."

Residents of other islands fear the Warraq project is just the beginning.

This year, 17 Nile islands including Warraq were handed over to the authorities.

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