Tiran and Sanafir Cases Timeline
Author : Mira Hamad Published at : May 31, 2025
Mira Hamad
The 2016 maritime delimitation agreement between Saudi Arabia and Egypt, which addressed the status of the islands of Tiran and Sanafir, was challenged domestically on the ground that it violated Article 151 of Egypt's Constitution prohibiting territorial concessions without referendum. A series of judicial decisions subsequently followed in Egypt.
The following timeline outlines the principal legal developments relevant to the legal status of the islands.
- June 21, 2016: Egyptian State Council Administrative Court annuls the 2016 Agreement agreement, yet halts implementation pending appeal. (Case no. 43709 and 43866 of Judicial year 70)
- June 21, 2016: The Cairo Court of Urgent Matters renders a judgment staying the enforcement of the State Council’s ruling that had annulled the 2016 agreement.
- December 31, 2016: The South Cairo Court of First Instance (Urgent Appeals Circuit) upholds the stay of execution of the State Council’s ruling annulling the 2016 agreement.
- December 29, 2016: President El Sisi signs the Treaty.
- January 16, 2017: Supreme Administrative Court upholds annulment of the 2016 Agreement. (Appeal no. 74236 of Judicial Year 62).
- June 14-24, 2017: Egyptian Parliament approves the agreement.
- March 7, 2018: Egypt's Supreme Constitutional Court upholds the agreement.
- May, 2025: 57 lawyers file new lawsuit before Egypt’s State Council alleging 2017 ratification decree unconstitutional under Article 151 of the Constitution, seeking annulment and reaffirmation of Egyptian sovereignty.
*Editor's Note: This post will be updated if there are further developments.