Rights Organizations Demand the Dismissal of the Minister of Transport and an Independent, Urgent Investigation
In less than two months, more than 29 Egyptian citizens—many of them between the ages of 13 and 20—lost their lives in horrific accidents on the Regional Ring Road. This very road has become a symbol of repeated failure to protect lives, while the state has made no serious effort to address the root causes or hold those responsible to account.
Since its inauguration in 2014, this road has witnessed a series of deadly accidents. It was built by the Engineering Authority of the Armed Forces under the leadership of Kamel El-Wazir, who now serves as the Minister of Transport.
On 28 May 2025, a devastating accident occurred in the Ashmoun district, taking the lives of 19 young female agricultural workers. This tragedy highlights the precarious conditions faced by women in the agricultural sector and the grave risks they endure due to the absence of safe transportation and effective oversight. Just days later, on 5 July, another horrific accident took the lives of 10 more citizens.
In total, this road has recorded at least 151 accidents, resulting in 95 deaths and over 900 injuries, according to available estimates—without any meaningful state intervention or accountability for those responsible for implementation, oversight, or the lack of safety measures.
These lives were not lost in vain, but as a direct consequence of poor planning, lack of oversight, and a persistent culture of impunity. Despite the frequency and severity of the accidents, no government body has claimed responsibility, and no serious investigation has been launched—as if the victims’ blood is not even worthy of acknowledgement.
While the undersigned organizations welcome the decision to close the road and seek safer traffic alternatives, they stress that this is only a temporary measure. It does not absolve those responsible of accountability, nor does it replace the urgent need for an independent and immediate investigation to identify failures and determine liability.
Such an investigation cannot proceed while Minister of Transport General Kamel El-Wazir—who previously headed the Engineering Authority for Armed Forces that oversaw this road’s construction—remains in office. His continued presence represents a clear conflict of interest that undermines public trust in the neutrality and fairness of any investigation. A person who may bear political or administrative responsibility must not be in a position to oversee or be shielded from scrutiny.
In light of this tragic and shameful situation, the undersigned organizations call for:
- The immediate dismissal of Minister of Transport Kamel El-Wazir, as the primary political and administrative official responsible for road safety and associated infrastructure projects.
- The opening of an independent and urgent investigation into the technical and administrative causes behind the repeated accidents on the Regional Ring Road, and the identification of systemic failures.
- The prosecution and administrative accountability of all those found responsible, including individuals implicated in negligence or misconduct, with no exceptions and no political protection.
Signatory Organizations:
- Egyptian Human Rights Forum (EHRF)
- Egyptian Front for Human Rights (EFHR)
- Foundation for Law and Democracy Support
- El Nadeem Center
- Ankh Foundation
- EgyptWide for Human Rights
