Egyptians lose patience with govt as economy deteriorates

Cairo

A CARTOON which appeared on social media shows a drowning Egyptian, only his hand protruding from the depths, waving for help. The next strips show President Abdel Fattah al-Sisi diving in, taking the drowning man's watch and turning away.

The cartoon captures the mood of desperation and anger among Egyptians clobbered by tax increases, soaring food price inflation and cuts in state subsidies. Some fear a repeat of the mass street protests that drove Mr Sisi's two immediate predecessors from power.