Egyptian President Abdel-Fattah El-Sisi has issued a decree ratifying the extension of a nationwide state of emergency for three months starting Sunday, 24 January. According to the decree, the Egyptian Armed Forces and police are to take measures necessary to confront the dangers and the funding of terrorism, safeguard security across the country, protect public and private property, and save citizens lives. The decree comes days after parliament approved on Monday the extension of the state of emergency for three more months starting 24 January. The state of emergency, first declared in April 2017 after two deadly church bombings that killed dozens of people, has been extended on the grounds of fighting terrorism, implementing development programs in a stable climate, and more recently containing the coronavirus crisis. It has been renewed since for periods not exceeding three months, in accordance with the Egyptian constitution.