News Brief|
April 6 Movement eyes return, Aboul Fotouh’s son arrested

Egyptian police arrested Ahmed Aboul Fotouh, son of opposition politician Abdul Moneim Aboul Fotouh, over a 10-year prison sentence issued in absentia in the same case that saw his father jailed for 15 years. The arrest occurred during a license renewal process in Cairo and was based on an Interior Ministry database match. Ahmed’s family has not been informed of his whereabouts, and legal counsel say the charge is based on a National Security report with no corroborating evidence. His father remains in prison despite severe health issues and faces a separate set of charges.

Egypt’s state vaccine company, VACSERA, has raised vaccine prices by about 40% since the start of the year amid growing financial pressures and a widening gap between the Egyptian pound and the U.S. dollar. According to two company officials, the price hikes stem from increased import costs and a shortage of foreign currency. The company is also struggling to maintain supply levels, particularly for vaccines like hepatitis B immunoglobulin and varicella, which are not covered under Egypt’s public immunization program. Prices now range from EGP 300 ($ 5.87) to more than EGP 4,000 ($78) per dose, placing them beyond the reach of many families.

An earlier report from December confirmed steep price increases for several vaccines, including a 246% jump in the cost of the meningitis conjugate vaccine. The Central Bank’s decision in March to float the currency and raise interest rates has compounded the challenge for import-dependent sectors, adding to the strain on public health infrastructure. VACSERA’s limited liquidity and the global shortage of some vaccines are exacerbating delays and driving up costs, raising concerns over access and equity in Egypt’s healthcare system.

Yemen's Houthi group announced that the death toll from a U.S. airstrike on Ras Isa oil port in Hodeidah has risen to at least 74 killed and 171 injured. The strike, carried out late Thursday, is the deadliest U.S. attack on Yemen since Washington began targeting the Iran-aligned group in 2024 in response to its Red Sea assaults on Israeli-linked shipping.

The U.S. military said the airstrike aimed to destroy a major Houthi fuel hub used to finance their operations. Yemeni sources reported a heavy military presence at the port and confirmed that employees from state-run oil firms were among the dead. Houthi-run port authorities condemned the attack as a “war crime” and warned it would further damage critical fuel infrastructure and worsen humanitarian conditions under the ongoing blockade.

The U.S. Central Command stated the operation was part of ongoing efforts to weaken the Houthis’ economic power, vowing to continue strikes “24/7.” The United States and Britain resumed joint military operations against Houthi targets in January 2024 after the group escalated attacks on maritime trade in solidarity with Gaza, citing Israel’s blockade.

Humanitarian organizations and Houthi officials have urged the United Nations to act against what they describe as systematic violations of international law targeting civilian infrastructure in western Yemen.

Marking its 17th anniversary, the April 6 Youth Movement announced it is considering transforming into a political party to re-enter Egypt’s political arena.

The announcement was made during a symposium titled “April 6: Between Past and Future,” hosted at the Egyptian Social Democratic Party's headquarters on Friday, April 18. Attendees included party president Farid Zahran, movement founder Ahmed Maher, and human rights lawyer Khaled Ali.

Movement member Ramy El-Sayed said internal discussions are underway to rechart the group's path and form a party, despite anticipated challenges—financial, legal, and security-related. Khaled Ali stressed the need to revive the movement through a legitimate channel, warning against relying solely on past legacy.

Founded in 2008, April 6 was a key player in turning political moments but has since faded due to widespread arrests of its members. Its visibility faded following the detention of many members, including spokesperson Mohamed Adel, who is serving a four-year sentence handed down in 2023 after nine years of arbitrary detention.

Ahmed Maher highlighted April 6’s early use of social media for political mobilization, focusing on youth issues with accessible messaging. Farid Zahran praised the group’s influence on modern political organizing in Egypt.

The movement is also considering whether to participate in the upcoming 2025 parliamentary elections, depending on the regime’s openness to genuine opposition participation. Elections must be held before January 2026, as required by Article 106 of the constitution.

A Tunisian court sentenced opposition leaders and businesspeople to prison terms ranging from 13 to 66 years on April 19, 2025, in a sweeping mass trial that critics say reflects President Kais Saied’s autocratic turn. The case involves 40 individuals, some detained since 2023 and others tried in absentia after fleeing the country. The charges include conspiracy against state security, forming a terrorist network, and promoting chaos to topple the government.

Among those convicted is presidential hopeful Alaya Zammel, who received a 12-year sentence in October 2024, just before his candidacy was validated. Saied had previously described the group as “traitors and terrorists,” and accused the judiciary of complicity.

Rights groups argue the case is part of a broader clampdown since Saied’s 2021 power grab, which saw the suspension of parliament and removal of judicial independence.

Opposition leaders say they were organizing a national initiative to unify the fragmented opposition and resist democratic backsliding. Critics warn the case is emblematic of Tunisia’s slide into authoritarianism—a far cry from the aspirations of the Arab Spring.