Date: Aug 31, 2018 Source: The Daily Star Sisi appoints raft of new governors in new shake-up Agence France Presse CAIRO: Egypt’s President Abdel-Fattah al-Sisi Thursday appointed a string of new governors to key regions, the latest shake-up since winning re-election in March. Sisi has reshuffled a host of top officials since claiming a second term with 97 percent of the vote, as he looks to press on with economic reforms and bolster security. In the latest move he replaced 22 of Egypt’s 27 regional governors, including in northern Sinai where the military is conducting a major operation against Islamist militants. The majority of the new appointees are drawn from the senior army and police ranks favored by ex-military chief Sisi. But they also include Manal Mikhail in Damietta province, who became the first Christian woman ever appointed to such a position in the majority Muslim country. “Egypt expects lots of effort, collective action and dedication to further development,” Sisi said in a statement released by the presidency. In June Sisi shook up his government by replacing a number of his top team, including the defense and interior ministers. Sisi won re-election in March against only one opponent, widely viewed as a token candidate, after more serious challengers were sidelined or arrested. Egypt is currently struggling to boost its economy after implementing a raft of painful reforms that have seen sharp price hikes. The authorities are also trying to put an end to a bloody Islamist insurgency that has spread across the country after Morsi was toppled.