Financial Conflict and War of Accusations: A New Chapter in the Collapse of the “Muslim Brotherhood”

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A new chapter of conflict underscores the state of an irreparable fracture and, as always, reveals the hidden sides of a group driven by money and power.

Barely out of one crisis, the Muslim Brotherhood is struck by another, with division now defining an organization fragmented across multiple factions and groups.

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The Brotherhood is currently embroiled in a conflict between the old leadership of the global organization – commonly referred to as the “international organization” – and the office of the Association of Egyptian Muslim Brotherhood Abroad, which functions as a coordinating and leadership structure for Egyptian members outside Egypt.

This conflict centers on issues of funding and the organization’s affiliated institutions in Europe.

It is also tied to the ongoing struggle between the London faction (led by Salah Abdel-Haq) and the Istanbul faction (led by Mahmoud Hussein), with the latter exploiting the financial disputes to deepen divisions within the London faction.

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The crisis emerges during one of the darkest periods for the London faction since its formation, following internal discord that erupted in late 2020 under the leadership of Ibrahim Munir, the group’s former acting leader.

Saadani Ahmed, head of the Egyptian Muslim Brotherhood Association aligned with the London faction, is currently attempting to control the movement’s European institutions – a sprawling network built over decades.

Ahmed argues that these institutions include a significant portion of Egyptian members who migrated to Europe, particularly to Britain, the Netherlands, and Belgium, in the past 12 years.

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However, Mahmoud Ibiary, a prominent figure in the international organization, opposes this move, asserting that these institutions have always been part of the international organization’s European sector and were never organizationally linked to the Egyptian Muslim Brotherhood Association abroad.

Between the Abroad Association and the International Organization

Established in the 1990s, the Egyptian Muslim Brotherhood Association Abroad served as an organizational structure for members working outside Egypt.

Over time, it established around 12 offices abroad, integrating Egyptian members into the global network in their host countries.

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Members are required to follow the association’s directives and pay their financial contributions, known as Saham Al-Daawa (the mission’s share), making it a vital administrative and organizational entity within the group.

After the Muslim Brotherhood was ousted from power in Egypt in 2013, the association’s importance grew, providing refuge for hundreds of cadres and leaders fleeing the country.

However, internal divisions under Ibrahim Munir’s leadership fractured the association. The London faction secured seven of its offices, appointing Saadani Ahmed as its leader. Meanwhile, the Istanbul faction, controlling the remaining offices, named Mohamed Desouki as its head.

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Thus, the association split into two competing entities.

The International Organization

Founded in 1982 by prominent leaders, including Mostafa Mashhour (later the fifth General Guide), the international organization comprises seven geographic sectors (Africa, Asia, Europe, Americas). Each sector includes the group’s official branches in various countries and serves as a coordinating and leadership structure predominantly controlled by Egyptian Muslim Brotherhood members.

The internal bylaws of the international organization grant Egypt a dominant role, with the majority of seats in both the Global Guidance Bureau and the Global Shura Council, its two governing bodies.

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“Ibiary” vs. “Al-Saadani”

Meanwhile, the European sector of the international organization holds a unique status, serving as the group’s largest stronghold. This sector includes the European branches of the Muslim Brotherhood, as well as the group’s institutions, businesses, and investments across Europe.

This makes it a vital artery for funding the organization’s operations, historically managed by Ibrahim Munir, with Mahmoud Ibiary as his deputy. Following Munir’s death in late 2022, Al-Ibyari assumed responsibility for the European sector and became the secretary-general of the international organization.

According to internal sources, Mahmoud Ibiary remains loyal to Salah Abdel-Haq and the London faction after Munir’s departure. However, tensions have arisen between him and Al-Saadani Ahmed, the head of the Association of Egyptian Muslim Brotherhood Abroad, who has called for administrative files and European institutions to be transferred under the Association’s control.

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Ibiary opposed this, arguing that it violated the international organization’s bylaws, which state that these institutions fall exclusively under the administrative and organizational authority of the international organization.

Mahmoud Ibiary is a central figure in the organization’s European operations. He was the right-hand man of Ibrahim Munir, overseeing and directing the group’s activities. Munir did not make any major decisions without consulting Ibiary, according to an internal source.

To counter Ibiary, Al-Saadani Ahmed sought support from Salah Abdel-Haq, the acting leader of the Muslim Brotherhood, and Mohieddine Al-Zayt, a member of the senior administrative body temporarily replacing the Guidance Bureau.

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Initially, Abdel-Haq and Al-Zayt supported Al-Saadani and asked Ibiary to transfer the European institutions to the Association’s oversight. They hoped this move would strengthen funding for the Egyptian faction and consolidate their control over the group’s resources.

Al-Saadani Ahmed and Helmi Al-Gazar, head of the political office, presented a dossier containing accusations of financial mismanagement and resource waste under Ibiary’s supervision.

During a political meeting, Al-Saadani accused Mahmoud Ibiary of collaborating with British intelligence services and squandering the group’s funds. He demanded that control over the group’s finances, particularly those concerning the Egyptian Brotherhood in Europe, be taken from Ibiary.

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In response, Mahmoud Ibiary denied the accusations, asserting that he always acted under the organization’s supervision.

Amid this crisis, Salah Abdel-Haq has been asked to mediate. However, he has yet to issue a final decision and is planning to convene the parties involved to reach a consensus.

Meanwhile, the Istanbul faction, led by Mahmoud Hussein, has attempted to attract Mahmoud Ibiary. Ibiary responded positively to this initiative, acknowledging that Mahmoud Hussein might deserve the acting leadership role. However, no formal agreement has been made.

A leadership meeting is expected soon, bringing together senior administrative members and heads of the Association’s offices to address disputes related to the European sector and administrative files.

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