Egypt, which holds a presidential election from December 10 to 12, has been ruled with an iron fist by President Abdel Fattah al-Sisi since 2014.
Running for what would be his third term, here is a look back at his presidency:
- Cruises to power -
On May 28, 2014, former army chief and defence minister Sisi cruises to an election victory, becoming president with nearly 97 percent of the vote.
With the opposition, especially Islamists, stamped out ahead of the election, turnout is low.
Sisi had already been running the country for nearly a year after leading the army's overthrow of Islamist president Mohamed Morsi, the country's first democratically elected president.
Sisi launches a bloody campaign to crack down on dissent, especially the Muslim Brotherhood.
Towards the end of 2015, a new parliament is elected, stacked with loyalist MPs.
- Jihadist attacks -
In the decade of Sisi's rule, Egypt has experienced a string of bloody terror attacks, mainly by the Islamic State group (IS), often targeting security forces in the northeastern Sinai Peninsula or Egypt's Christian minority.
In 2015, 224 passengers are killed in a Russian Airbus A321 crash for which IS claims responsibility.
Two years later two IS-claimed attacks target Coptic Christian churches at Tanta and Alexandria in the north, leaving 45 dead.
And in the deadliest attack in Egypt's recent history, gunmen open fire in a Sinai mosque killing more than 300 worshippers in 2017.
IS is suspected, but never claims responsibility.
In 2018, the army launches a large-scale operation against IS in northern Sinai and has since largely quelled the insurgency.
- Tightening grip -
In March 2018, Sisi is re-elected with 97.08 percent of the vote. His only "opponent" is an ardent supporter.
In May that year, the European Union criticises the arrests of opposition figures and members of civil society.
The following year Sisi expands his powers in a controversial constitutional revision that extends his term from four to six years and allows him to seek a third term.
- Russia rapport -
Sisi cultivates closer ties with Russia during his presidency.
In 2015, he and his Russian counterpart Vladimir Putin sign an initial accord for Russia to build Egypt's first nuclear power station.
This is followed in 2018 by Sisi signing a strategic agreement with Putin, prompting the Egyptian leader to hail a "new chapter" in relations with Moscow.
- 'Execution spree' -
Since taking office, Sisi's rights record has come under major scrutiny.
In 2020, Amnesty International denounces a "horrifying execution spree" in the country, saying dozens of people had been put to death in recent months.
Cairo denies the allegations.
In October this year, six rights groups say Egyptian authorities' "widespread and systematic" use of torture is "a crime against humanity".
Causing unrest domestically, Sisi has pursued a highly unpopular austerity programme under the International Monetary Fund, slashing subsidies for petrol, electricity and basic foodstuffs.