Abdel Fattah el-Sisi

Abdel Fattah el-Sisi
عبد الفتاح السيسى
6th President of Egypt
Assumed office
8 June 2014
Prime Minister Ibrahim Mahlab
Sherif Ismail
Preceded by Adly Mansour (Interim)
Deputy Prime Minister of Egypt
In office
16 July 2013 – 26 March 2014
Prime Minister Hazem al-Beblawi
Ibrahim Mahlab
Minister of Defence
In office
12 August 2012 – 26 March 2014
Prime Minister Hesham Qandil
Hazem al-Beblawi
Ibrahim Mahlab
Preceded by Mohamed Hussein Tantawi
Succeeded by Sedki Sobhi
Commander-in-Chief of the Armed Forces
In office
12 August 2012 – 26 March 2014
Preceded by Mohamed Hussein Tantawi
Succeeded by Sedki Sobhi
Director of Military Intelligence
In office
3 January 2010 – 12 August 2012
Preceded by Murad Muwafi
Succeeded by Mahmoud Hegazy
Personal details
Born Abdel Fattah Saeed Hussein Khalil el-Sisi
(1954-11-19) 19 November 1954
Cairo, Egypt
Political party Independent
Spouse(s) Entissar Amer (m. 1977)
Children Mustafa
Mahmoud
Hassan
Aya
Alma mater Egyptian Military Academy
Religion Sunni Islam
Military service
Allegiance  Egypt
Service/branch Egyptian Army
Years of service 1977–2014
Rank Field Marshal
Unit Infantry
Battles/wars Gulf War
Sinai insurgency

Abdel Fattah Saeed Hussein Khalil el-Sisi (Arabic: عبد الفتاح سعيد حسين خليل السيسي‎‎ Abdu'l-Fattāḥ Sa'īd Ḥusayn Khalīl as-Sīsī, IPA: [ʕæbdel.fætˈtæːħ sæˈʕiːd ħeˈseːn xæˈliːl esˈsiːsi]; born 19 November 1954), commonly known as Sisi, is the sixth and incumbent President of Egypt, in office since June 2014.

Sisi was born in Cairo and after joining the military, held a post in Saudi Arabia before enrolling in the Egyptian Army's Command and Staff College. In 1992 Sisi trained at the Joint Services Command and Staff College in the United Kingdom, and then in 2006 trained at the United States Army War College in Carlisle, Pennsylvania. Sisi served as a mechanized infantry commander and then as directory of military intelligence. After the Egyptian revolution of 2011 and election of Mohamed Morsi to the Egyptian presidency, Sisi was named head of the armed forces.

As chief of the Egyptian Armed Forces, Sisi launched the 2013 Egyptian coup d'état that removed President Morsi from office in the aftermath of the June 2013 Egyptian protests. Two months later, troops loyal to Sisi began a bloody crackdown against pro-Morsi protestors and dissidents that left 1,400 dead and 16,000 detained.[1] In the wake of violence, Sisi installed an interim government, but remained Egypt's Minister of Defence and assumed the role of the country's First Deputy Prime Minister. On 26 March 2014 he resigned from his military post, announcing that he would run as a candidate in the 2014 presidential election.[2] The election, held between 26 and 28 May and which included only one opponent, was boycotted by most political parties and the Muslim Brotherhood,[3] and resulted in Sisi winning the presidency with more than 93% of the vote.[3][4] Sisi was sworn into office as President of Egypt on 8 June 2014.

Early life and military education

El-Sisi was born in Gamaleya in Old Cairo on 19 November 1954,[5] to parents Said Hussein Khalili al-Sisi and Soad Ibrahim Mohamed Al Shishi.[6] He grew up in Gamaleya, near the al-Azhar Mosque, in a quarter where Muslims, Jews and Christians resided and in which he later recalled how, during his childhood, he heard church bells and watched Jews flock to the synagogue unhindered. Sisi would later enroll in the Egyptian Military Academy, and upon graduating he held various command positions in the Egyptian Armed Forces and served as Egypt's military attaché in Riyadh. In 1987 he attended the Egyptian Command and Staff College. In 1992 he continued his military career by enrolling in the British Command and Staff College, and in 2006 enrolled in the United States Army War College in Carlisle, Pennsylvania.[7] Sisi was the youngest member of the Supreme Council of the Armed Forces (SCAF) during the Egyptian Revolution of 2011, serving as the director of military intelligence and reconnaissance department. He was later chosen to replace Mohamed Hussein Tantawi and serve as the commander-in-chief and Minister of Defence and Military Production on 12 August 2012.

Sisi's family originated from Monufia Governorate.[8] He is the second of eight siblings (his father later had six additional children with a second wife). His father, a conservative but not radical Muslim,[9] had a wooden antiques shop for tourists in the historic bazaar of Khan el-Khalili.[10]

He and his siblings would study at the nearby library at al-Azhar University. Unlike his brothers – one of whom is a senior judge, another a civil servant – el-Sisi went to a local army-run secondary school, where concurrently his relationship with his maternal cousin Entissar Amer started to develop. They were married upon el-Sisi's graduation from the Egyptian Military Academy in 1977.[11][12][13][14][15][16][17] He attended the following courses:

Military career, 1977–2014

El-Sisi received his commission as a military officer in 1977 serving in the mechanised infantry, specialising in anti-tank warfare and mortar warfare. He became Commander of the Northern Military Region-Alexandria in 2008 and then Director of Military Intelligence and Reconnaissance. El-Sisi was the youngest member of the Supreme Council of the Armed Forces of Egypt. While a member of the Supreme Council, he made controversial statements regarding allegations that Egyptian soldiers had subjected detained female demonstrators to forced virginity tests. He is reported to have told Egypt's state-owned newspaper that "the virginity-test procedure was done to protect the girls from rape as well as to protect the soldiers and officers from rape accusations."[5] He was the first member of the Supreme Council of the Armed Forces to admit that the invasive tests had been carried out.[19]

Main command positions

Also reported is commander of the 23rd Mechanized Division, Third Field Army.

Minister of Defense

Field Marshal Sisi as Minister of Defence

On 12 August 2012, Egyptian President Mohamed Morsi made a decision to replace Mohamed Hussein Tantawi, the head of the Egyptian Armed Forces, with then little-known el-Sisi. He also promoted him to the rank of colonel general.[20] Sisi was then described by the official website of FJP as a "Defense minister with revolutionary taste".[21] El-Sisi also took the post of Minister of Defense and Military Production in the Qandil Cabinet.

US Secretary of State John Kerry meets with Egyptian Defense Minister el-Sisi in Cairo, 3 March 2013

After el-Sisi was appointed as minister of defence on 12 August 2012, there were concerns in Egypt regarding rumours that General el-Sisi was the hand of the Muslim Brotherhood in the army, though el-Sisi has always declared that the Egyptian army stands on the side of the Egyptian people. On 28 April 2013, during celebrations for Sinai Liberation Day, el-Sisi said that, "the hand that harms any Egyptian must be cut".[22] This statement was taken by Morsi opponents as a clarification that the Army is in support of them. However, the statement was interpreted by Morsi supporters as a warning to Morsi opponents that el-Sisi would not allow an overthrow of the government. He remained in office under the new government formed after the deposition of Morsi, and led by Hazem al-Beblawi. He was also appointed Deputy Prime Minister of Egypt. On 27 January 2014, he was promoted to the rank of field marshal.[23]

Civil uprising, coup d'état and transition

Mass demonstrations occurred on June 30 as millions of Egyptians took to the streets to denounce Mohamed Morsi. Clashes took place around Egypt. Soon afterwards, the Egyptian Army issued a 48-hour ultimatum which aired on television that gave the country's political parties until 3 July to meet the demands of the anti-Morsi demonstrators. The Egyptian military also threatened to intervene if the dispute was not resolved by then.[24]

On 3 July 2013, the Egyptian Army declared that as the political parties had failed to meet the deadline and Morsi had failed to build a national consensus for his leadership, they had to overthrow Morsi. The Egyptian Army then installed Adly Mansour as the interim head of state in his place, and ordered the arrest of many members of the Muslim Brotherhood on charges of "inciting violence and disturbing general security and peace."[25] El-Sisi announced on television that the president had "failed to meet the demands of the Egyptian people" and declared that the constitution would be suspended, which was met by acceptance from anti-Morsi demonstrations and condemnation from pro-Morsi supporters in Rabaa al-Adawiya. Many Islamist movements, such as the Muslim Brotherhood, al-Wasat Party and al-Gama'a al-Islamiyya, rejected the change of regime as a military coup, which they described as "illegitimate" and "anti-democratic".[26]

On 24 July 2013, during a speech at a military parade, General el-Sisi called for mass demonstrations to grant the Egyptian military and police a "mandate" to crack down on terrorism.[27] Some interpreted this to mean that el-Sisi felt the need of the people to prove to the world that it was not a coup but the popular will, while the statement was seen by others as contradicting the military's pledges to hand over power to civilians after removing Morsi and as indicating an imminent crackdown against Islamists.[28][29]

The reactions to el-Sisi's announcement ranged from open support from the Egyptian presidency[30] and the Tamarod movement[31] to rejection, not only by the Muslim Brotherhood,[28] but also by the Salafi Nour Party,[32] the moderate Strong Egypt Party,[33] the revolutionary April 6 Youth Movement[34] and Egyptian human rights groups.[35]

However, on 26 July 2013, millions rallied across Egypt, responding to el-Sisi's call, a gathering which was described as "the largest crowds in 2½ years of upheaval" and even bigger numbers than 30 June's numbers.[36]

During the August 2013 Egyptian raids, the Egyptian military under el-Sisi's command joined the national police in removing camps of Muslim Brotherhood supporters from sit-ins being held in Rabiaa and el-Nahda. This action resulted in rapidly escalating violence that eventually led to deaths of 638 people, of whom 595 were civilians and 43 police officers, with at least 3,994 injured in addition to several incidents in various cities including Minya and Kerdasa. Some liberal activists who had supported the ousting of Morsi publicly voiced their concerns: "I'm not happy when they use violence. And I'm worried about them using it again," said Gamal Eid, a well-known human rights activist.[37][38][39] Robert Fisk described General el-Sisi as at a loss, but that a massacre would go down in history as an infamy.[40] Lee Smith concluded that "Egypt's new leader is unfit to rule".[41] In a file published by the State Information Services, the government explained the raids by claiming that police went on to use force dispersing the sit-in on 14 August 2013, with the least possible damage, causing hundreds of civilians and police to fall as victims, while Muslim Brotherhood supporters imposed a blockade for 46 days against the people in an-Nahda and Rabaa al-Adawiya squares under the name of sit-in where tens of protesters took to the street daily hindered the lives of the Egyptians, causing unrest and the death or injury of many victims as well as damage to public and private properties.[42] A poll by the Egyptian Centre for Public Opinion Research later showed that 67 percent of Egyptians were satisfied concerning the methods by which the Rabaa al-Adawiya and an-Nahda sit-ins had been dispersed.[43][44][45]

US Secretary of State Kerry meets with el-Sisi in Cairo on 3 November 2013

On 3 August 2013, el-Sisi gave his first interview since the overthrow of President Mohamed Morsi. Speaking to The Washington Post, he criticised the US response and accused the Obama administration of disregarding the Egyptian popular will and of providing insufficient support amid threats of a civil war, saying, "You left the Egyptians. You turned your back on the Egyptians, and they won't forget that."[46]

On 6 October war anniversary, el-Sisi announced that the army was committed to the popular mandate of 26 July 2013: "We are committed, in front of God, to the Egyptian and Arab people that we will protect Egypt, the Egyptians and their free will."[47]

During the anniversary celebration, General el-Sisi invited the Emirati, Iraqi, Bahraini, Moroccan and Jordanian defence ministers to celebrate with Egypt. During his speech he said in a warning way that the Egyptian people "will never forget who stood with them or against them". El-Sisi described 6 October as "a day to celebrate for all Arabs", hoping for the "unification of Arabs". He also thanked "Egypt's Arab brothers, who stood by its side." El-Sisi commented on the relationship between the Egyptian army and Egyptian people, saying that it is hard to break. El-Sisi said: “We would die before you [the Egyptian people] would feel pain". He also compared the Egyptian army to the Pyramid, saying that "it cannot be broken".[47]

Civil liberties

Demonstrators holding the Rabia sign in solidarity with the victims of the August 2013 Rabaa massacre of pro-Morsi sit-ins in Cairo.

After ousting president Morsi and disbanding Parliament, in September 2013 el-Sisi's appointed president Mansour decreed that ministers could award contracts without tender process. In the next month, the government awarded building contracts worth approximately one billion dollars to the Egyptian Army.[48] In April 2014, Mansour and el-Sisi's Investment Law banned appeals against government contracts.

Also in September 2013, Mansour and el-Sisi removed detention limits without trial for certain crimes, allowing unconvicted political dissidents to remain in detention indefinitely. In November 2013, el-Sisi's government banned protests and arrested thousands of Egyptians using the new law.[48]

On 24 March 2014, an Egyptian court sentenced 529 members of the Muslim Brotherhood to death,[49] an act described by Amnesty International as "the largest single batch of simultaneous death sentences we've seen in recent years […] anywhere in the world".[50] By May 2016, approximately 40,000 people, mostly Brotherhood members or supporters, have been imprisoned since the 2013 coup.[51]

Sisi-mania

The anti-Morsi demonstrators on the streets welcomed el-Sisi's overthrow of Morsi with celebrations and carried posters of el-Sisi, chanting "The Army and the People are one hand" and supporting General el-Sisi. On social networks, thousands of Egyptians changed their profile pictures to pictures of el-Sisi, while others started campaigns requesting that El-Sisi be promoted to the rank of field marshal, while others hoped he would be nominated in the next presidential elections.[52]

Cupcakes, chocolate and necklaces bearing the "CC" initials were created, restaurants in Egypt named sandwiches after him, blogs shared his pictures, and columns, op-eds, television shows and interviews discussed the "new idol of the Nile valley" in the Egyptian mainstream media.[53][54][55][56] On 6 December 2013, el-Sisi was named "Time Person of the Year" in Time magazine's annual reader poll.[57] The accompanying article noted "Sisi's success reflected the genuine popularity of a man who led what was essentially a military coup in July against the democratically elected government of then President Mohammed Morsi."[58]

The "Kamel Gemilak" (Finish your Favor) and "El-Sisi for president" campaigns were started to gather signatures to press el-Sisi, who had said he had no desire to govern, to run.[59] Many politicians and parties including Egyptians and non-Egyptians had announced their support for el-Sisi in the event of his running for president, including the National Salvation Front,[60] Tamarod,[61] Amr Moussa, a previous candidate for the presidency,[62] Abdel-Hakim Abdel-Nasser son of late President Gamal Abdel Nasser,[59] unsuccessful presidential candidate Ahmed Shafik,[63] Prime Minister Hazem Al Beblawi,[64] Naguib Sawiris,[65] the Free Egyptians Party, the Revolutionary Forces Bloc,[66] and the Russian president Vladimir Putin.[67] However, Hamdeen Sabahi ran against him in the presidential race.[68] Subsequently, Sabahi issued criticisms of Sisi and his candidacy by expressing doubt about Sisi's commitment to democracy, arguing that the general bears a measure of direct and indirect responsibility for the human rights violations carried out during the period of the interim government. He also denounced what he deemed to be the transitional government's hostility toward the goals of the revolution.[69][70][71]

Kamel Gemilak claimed to have collected 26 million signatures asking Sisi to run for president.[72] On 21 January 2014, Kamel Gemilak organised a mass conference call in Cairo International Stadium to call on el-Sisi to run for president.[73] On 6 February 2014, the Kuwaiti newspaper al-Seyassah announced that el-Sisi would run for president, saying that he had to meet the wishes of the Egyptian people for him to run.[74][75] El-Sisi confirmed on 26 March 2014 that he would run for president in the presidential election.[2] Shortly after his announcement, popular hashtags started for and against el-Sisi presidential bid.[76][77] The presidential election, which took place between 26 and 28 May 2014, saw el-Sisi win 96 percent of votes counted;[4] it was held without participation of the Muslim Brotherhood's banned Freedom & Justice Party, which had won every prior post-Mubarak electoral contest.

Presidency (2014–present)

President Sisi was sworn into office on 8 June 2014. The event was marked by an impromptu public holiday in Egypt in conjunction with festivals held nationwide.[78] Tahrir Square was prepared to receive millions of Egyptians celebrating Sisi's winning while police and army troops shut down the square outlets with barbed wires and barricades, as well as electronic portals for detecting any explosives that could spoil the festivities.[79] Sisi's oath was held in the morning in Egypt's Supreme constitutional court in front of deputy head of the constitutional court, Maher Sami, who described el-Sisi as a "rebel soldier" and a "revolutionary hero"; ex-president Adly Mansour; other constitutional court members; and a group of Egypt's top politicians. Sisi later removed to the Heliopolis Palace, where a 21-gun salute welcomed the new president, before the ex-president received Sisi near the palace's stairway. Sisi then presided over a reception for the presidents, emirs, kings, and official delegations who had been invited. Turkey, Tunisia and Qatar were not invited because of their critical stances regarding then-recent events in Egypt.[80] Israel also was not invited. Sisi later gave a speech in front of the attendees and signed with the ex-president Adly Mansour, for the first time in the Egyptian history, the handover of power document. after Heliopolis Palace's ceremony Sisi moved to Koubbeh Palace where the final ceremony was held and Sisi gave the final speech of the day, in front of 1200 attendees representing different spectra of the Egyptian people and the provinces of Egypt, presenting the problems facing Egypt and his plan saying "In its next phase, Egypt will witness a total rise on both internal and external fronts, to compensate what we have missed and correct the mistakes of the past,". Sisi also issued the first Presidential decree giving ex-president Adly Mansour the Order of the Nile.[81]

Domestic policy

President Sisi, who repeatedly during his presidential campaign encouraged Egyptians to work harder and to wake up at 5am, urged Egyptians to be ready for what he called "The hard work phase". In his first meeting with his cabinet, Sisi told his ministers they must set an example by being in the office by 07:00.[82] Sisi's first street appearance after the cabinet was sworn in saw him participate in a surprising 20-kilometer bike marathon wearing sporting gear and followed by his cabinet ministers as well as many actors, singers, military and police students to encourage low consumption of fuel which is costing the government billions of dollars every year.[83] Sisi encouraged Egyptians to help rebuild the Egyptian economy saying that he would make an example by donating half his salary and half his personal assets (including his inheritance) to support the Egyptian economy; a move that would encourage senior officials and prominent businessmen to do the same.[83] After his call, Colonel General Sedki Sobhi announced that the Egyptian Armed Forces would help support the economy by donating $140m (£82m).[83] Sisi also ordered the ministry of finance to enforce rules on maximum wages estimated at 42,000 EGP ($5,873) per month.[82] Sisi also formed the advisory council of Egypt's scientists and experts to advise him on national projects.

Sisi has expressed his personal concerns about the issue of sexual assault in the country. He was photographed during a hospital visit to a woman receiving treatment after an assault during celebrations in Cairo's Tahrir Square, ordering the army, the police, and the media to counter the issue.[83]

El-Sisi has called for the reform and modernisation of Islam;[84] to that end, he has taken measures within Egypt such as regulating mosque sermons and changing school textbooks (including the removal of some content on Saladin and Uqba ibn Nafi inciting or glorifying hatred and violence)[85][86]

El-Sisi also became the first Egyptian president in the country's history to attend Christmas Mass[87] and gave a speech at the Coptic Orthodox Christmas service in Cairo in January 2015 calling for unity and wishing the Christians a merry Christmas.[87][88] Coinciding with Sisi's visit an Arabic hashtag that translates to "you are a leader, Sisi" has been tweeted 14,486 times, and the hashtag "Sisi in the Cathedral" has been tweeted 3,609 times accompanied with pictures of a cross and a crescent symbolising the national unity.[89]

Economic reforms

al-Sisi Listens as Secretary Kerry Addresses Audience of Several Thousand Attending the Egypt Economic Development Conference (EEDC)

Sisi, who is reportedly facing a severe economic ordeal in Egypt, has decided to raise fuel prices by 78 percent as an introduction to cut the subsidies on basic food stuffs and energy, which eat up nearly a quarter of the state budget. The Egyptian government has always provided these subsidies as a crucial aid to millions of people who live in poverty, fearing people's anger in five years time.[90] Egypt has spent $96 billion on energy subsidies in a decade which made petrol in Egypt among the world's cheapest.[90] Cutting the energy subsidies will save 51 billion pounds. The government hopes the decision will benefit services such as health and education. Sisi also raised taxes on alcohol and cigarettes, applying a flat tax on local and imported cigarettes to between 25 and 40 cents per pack, as well as new property taxes, and plans to introduce a new scheme for value-added taxes.[91] Chicken prices would reportedly rise by 25 percent days after the decision because of added transportation costs. Mini-bus and taxi fares were raised by about 13 percent.[90] Slashing subsidies was recommended by international financial institutions, but no Egyptian leader had managed to broach the issue, fearing unrest in a country where nearly 50 percent of the population live in poverty and rely on government aid. President Sisi defended the decision to raise fuel prices, saying it was "bitter medicine" that should have been taken before and was "50 years late" but was not taken, as governments feared a backlash like the Bread Riots of 1977.[92] Sisi, who had previously accepted only half of his own pay, called on Egyptians to make sacrifices, vowing to repair an economy growing at the slowest pace in two decades. Sisi warned Egyptians of more pain over the next two years from economic problems that he said had accumulated over the last four decades and needed to be fixed.[93] Egypt also paid more than $6 billion it owed to foreign oil companies within two months.[94] By March 2015 after 8 months of Sisi's rule, Egypt's external debt fell to $39.9 billion, a drop of 13.5 percent.[95]

As a result of the economic reforms, Moody's raised Egypt's credit ratings outlook to stable from negative[96] and Fitch Ratings upgraded Egypt's credit rating one step to "B" from "B-".[97] Standard & Poor's rated Egypt B-minus with a stable outlook and upgraded Egypt's credit rating in November 2013. On 7 April 2015, Moody's upgraded Egypt's outlook from Caa1 to B3 with stable outlook expecting real GDP growth in Egypt to recover to 4.5% year-on-year for the fiscal year 2015, which ends in June, and then to rise to around 5%–6% over the coming four years[98] compared to 2.5% in 2014.

In May 2015, Egypt chose the banks to handle its return to the international bond market after a gap of five years marking a return of economic and political stability in the country after the revolution of 2011.[99] However, in early 2016 the Egyptian pound suffered from devaluation: in February when the pound was allowed to float briefly, its value reduced rapidly from 7.83 LE per US dollar to 8.95 LE per dollar, resulting in increased prices for everyday goods.[100]

Energy policy

Considered its worst in decades, Egypt's energy crisis that helped inflame the protests against former president Mohamed Morsi[101] continued to grow in Sisi's first months in office, challenging the new government. Due to shortage in energy production, growing consumption, terrorist attacks on Egypt's energy infrastructure, debts to foreign oil companies and the absence of the needed periodic maintenance of the power plants, the energy blackouts rates in Egypt rose to unprecedented levels, with some parts of the country facing around six power cuts a day for up to two hours each.[102] On August 2014, daily electricity consumption hit a record high of 27.7 gigawatts, 20% more power than stations could provide. The next month Egypt suffered a massive power outage that halted parts of the Cairo Metro, took television stations off the air, and ground much of the country to a halt for several hours because of the sudden loss of 50 percent of the country's power generation.[103] Sisi, on his part, said that the idler would be held accountable and promised to partially solve the economic crisis by August 2015, and that, beginning with December that year, the crisis will be dealt with entirely. Both long-term and short-term plans were introduced. In the short-term, Egypt signed a contract with General Electric (GE) to provide the country with 2.6 gigawatts by the summer of 2015. The first phase entered service in June and the final phase was expected to be completed by the end of August, making it one of the fastest energy transferring operations in the world according to GE.[104] In June, Sisi's administration stated that for the first time in years, Egypt achieved a surplus in power generating capacity estimated at 2.9 gigawatts. In the long-term, Egypt paid more than $6 billion it owed to foreign oil companies between January and March.[105] Energy contracts were placed as a top priority in the Egypt Economic Development Conference in March 2015, resulting in a $9 billion contract with Siemens to supply gas and wind power plants to boost the country's electricity generation by 50 percent,[106] in addition to an energy deal worth $12 billion (LE91.5 billion) with BP to provide the country with an extra quarter of local energy production.[107] Sisi also stated that Egypt is not just solving its energy crisis, but rather seeking to become a "global hub for energy trading."[108]

National projects

In August 2014, President Sisi initiated a new Suez Canal which would double capacity of the existing canal from 49 to 97 ships a day. The new canal is expected to increase the Suez Canal's revenues by 259% from current annual revenues of $5 billion. The project cost around 60 billion Egyptian-pounds ($8.4 billion) and was fast-tracked over a year. Sisi insisted funding come from Egyptian sources only.[109] The new canal was inaugurated on schedule on 6 August 2015.[110]

Sisi also introduced the Suez Canal Area Development Project[111] which would involve development of five new seaports in the three provinces surrounding the canal, a new industrial zone west of the Gulf of Suez, economic zones around the waterway, seven new tunnels between Sinai and the Egyptian home land, building new a new Ismailia city, huge fish farms, and a technology valley within Ismailia.[112]

Sisi also started the National Roads Project, which involves building a road network of more than 4,400 kilometres and uses 104 acres of land, promising that there are many development and reconstruction campaigns for Egypt to reduce the unemployment rate and increase the poor's income.[113]

An ambitious plan to build a new city near Cairo to serve as the country's new capital was announced during the Egypt Economic Development Conference. Located east of Cairo approximately midway between Cairo and Suez. This Proposed new capital of Egypt is yet to be formally named and is intended to relieve population pressures from the greater Cairo area.[114]

President Sisi has set a national goal of eliminating all unsafe slums in two years.[115] The first stage of the project was inaugurated on 30 May 2016 containing 11,000 housing units built at a cost of 1.56 billion EGP (177.8 Million USD). Funding was provided by the "Long Live Egypt" economic development fund in collaboration with civilian charitable organizations. The ultimate goal is the construction of 850,000 housing units with additional stages in processes funded in the same manner.[116]

Opinion polls

In August 2014, Egypt's Baseera, the Centre for Public Opinion Research, said in a poll result that only eight percent of the sample were unhappy with El-Sisi's performance and ten percent of the sample said they could not identify their position. The poll showed that 78 percent of the sample said they would vote for Sisi should the presidential elections be held again the next day while 11 percent said they would not. Eighty-nine percent said that there was improvement in the security situation after Sisi's taking office. Seventy-three percent said that fuel has become regularly available since Sisi's election. Meanwhile, 35 percent of respondents believed price controls had improved, while 32 percent believed that they have become worse. Twenty-nine percent of the respondents did not see any change, and three percent were undecided.[117]

An April 2016 poll by Baseera after 22 months in office, indicated that Sisi garnered 79% approval rating while 8% were undecided and 13% disapprove of the president's performance. These numbers indicate a moderate drop from the last poll done in 2014.[118]

Foreign policy

Africa

El-Sisi made an African tour, his first foreign visit since taking office a short visit to Algeria, seeking support to counter Islamist militancy in North Africa.[119] Shortly before Sisi arrived in Malabo, Equatorial Guinea to participate in the 23rd ordinary session of the African Union summit where he gave his speech blaming the AU for freezing Egypt's membership a year before. El-Sisi also announced the establishment of an Egyptian partnership agency for Africa's development.[120] He also concluded the tour with a few hours' visit to Sudan.[121]

Israel and Palestine

Secretary Kerry, Egyptian Foreign Minister Shoukry Discuss Gaza Ceasefire With Egyptian President al-Sisi in Cairo

Relations with Israel have improved significantly following Mohamed Morsi's removal,[122][123] with Sisi saying he talks to Israel's prime minister, Binyamin Netanyahu, "a lot."[124] Sisi has been described by The Economist as "the most pro-Israeli Egyptian leader ever."[125] With continuous support for Palestine, the Sisi administration supports the two-state solution establishing a Palestinian state on lands that were occupied in 1967 [126] with Eastern Jerusalem as its capital for the Israeli–Palestinian conflict achieving the Palestinians needs and granting Israel the security it wants.[127] The first months of Sisi's presidency witnessed the 2014 Israel–Gaza conflict. Egypt also criticised the IDF operation in Gaza Strip as "oppressive policies of mass punishment rejecting 'the irresponsible Israeli escalation' in the occupied Palestinian territory, which comes in the form of 'excessive' and unnecessary use of military force leading to the death of innocent civilians." It also demanded Israel adopt self-restraint and to keep in mind that being an "occupation force", it has a legal and moral duty to protect civilian lives.[128]

After Egypt proposed an initiative for a ceasefire later accepted by Israel and rejected by Hamas, Sisi administration urged the world to intervene and stop the crisis when it stated that its ceasefire efforts have been met with "obstinacy and stubbornness".[129] Egypt also hosted several meetings with Israeli and Palestinian officials in Cairo to mediate a ceasefire. President Sisi also ordered the Egyptian Armed Forces to transport 500 tons of aid, which comprises food and medical supplies, to Palestinians in the Gaza Strip. A statement was also released by the military saying that Egypt is pursuing its efforts to "stop the Israeli aggression on the Gaza Strip" under the president's supervision.[130][131] The conflict ended with an Egyptian-brokered ceasefire on 26 August.

U.S. Secretary of State John Kerry, King Abdullah II of Jordan, Egyptian President Abdel Fattah al-Sisi, and Palestinian Authority President Mahmoud Abbas sit together at the Congress Center in Sharm el-Sheikh, Egypt, on March 13, 2015

Egypt diplomacy brokering a ceasefire between Israel and Palestine, cutting Hamas down to size, keeping Qatar and Turkey out of the equation and marginalising the United States role made Egypt the only winner in the conflict.[132] Egypt also hosted the international donor conference in Cairo aiming to raise 4 billion (3.2 billion euros) to reconstruct the Gaza Strip.[133] Sisi described the 2014 Israel–Gaza conflict as a great chance to end the 66-year-old conflict calling Israel to reach a peace deal with the Palestinians saying "I call on the Israeli people and the government: now is the time to end the conflict ... so that prosperity prevails, so that we all can have peace and security".[133] Sisi mainly blames the Israeli–Palestinian conflict for the extremism in the Middle East describing it as a "fertile environment for the growth and spread of extremism, violence and terrorism".[134] Sisi also promised that Egypt would guarantee Palestine would not violate the peace treaty when reached expressing Egypt's willingness to deploy Egyptian observer forces in the Palestinian Authority in the West Bank and Gaza Strip.[135]

Sisi also stipulated that the Palestinian Authority would take power in the Gaza Strip in future peace plans and conditioning an easing of transit restrictions at the Rafah checkpoint on the presence of a force from the Palestinian Authority's Presidential Guard being stationed on the Gaza side of the crossing[136] as Sisi administration considers Hamas an enemy blaming them for killing of 16 Egyptian soldier in 2012 and over alleged involvement in the prisons' storming in the wake of Egyptian Revolution of 2011.[137]

Turkey

Further information: Egypt–Turkey relations

Relations between Egypt and Turkey deteriorated significantly after Morsi's ouster. Recep Tayyip Erdoğan, then Prime Minister, was the only leader to call Morsi's ouster as a coup, calling for the immediate release of Morsi and insisting he is the legitimate president of Egypt. Turkish Minister for European Affairs Egemen Bagis also called for the UN Security Council to "take action" in Egypt.[138] Erdoğan was said not to recognise Sisi as president of Egypt and called him an "illegitimate tyrant"[139] in response to the 2014 Israel–Gaza conflict and alleged Egyptian support for Israel in its war against Hamas.[140][141] In response to Erdoğan's remarks, the Egyptian Foreign Ministry warned that the Egypt–Turkey relationship would be worsened[142] while Sisi refused to respond. Egypt's foreign ministry accused Erdogan of provocation and interfering in Egypt's internal affairs. In November 2013, Egypt told the Turkish ambassador to leave the country, a day after Erdoğan called for Morsi to be freed. Relations with Ankara was also lowered to chargé d'affaires.[143] The Egyptian foreign ministry also said that Egypt has cancelled joint naval drils with Turkey over Turkey's interference in Egypt's domestic affairs.[144] In September 2014, Egypt's foreign minister cancelled a meeting with now-President Erdoğan requested by Turkey after Erdoğan made a speech critical of Egypt in the UN General Assembly.[145] An advisor to the Turkish president has denied that the countries' leaders were planning to meet. However, later Egypt's foreign ministry handed out a scanned document of Turkey's meeting proposal to the media and was published by Egypt's Youm7 newspaper.[146] Sisi's administration also decided to cancel the "Ro-Ro" agreement with Turkey, blocking Turkey from transporting Turkish containers to the Gulf via Egyptian ports.[147] An intense campaign started by Egypt and Saudi Arabia against Turkey made it lose its predicted easy victory of membership in the United Nations Security Council.[148]

Arab world

Al Jazeera reported in June 2014: "Saudi Arabia, the world's top oil exporter, and its wealthy Gulf Arab partners Kuwait and the United Arab Emirates have given more than $20 billion to help Egypt since Morsi's overthrow, Sisi said last month, and are likely to pledge more."[149] In 2015, Egypt participated in the Saudi Arabian-led military intervention in Yemen.[150]

In April 2016 King Salman of Saudi Arabia made a five-day visit to Egypt, during which the two countries signed economic agreements worth approximately $25 billion and also made an agreement to "return" Tiran and Sanafir, two Egyptian-administered islands in the Gulf of Aqaba, to Saudi control. The announcement of the transfer of the islands provoked a backlash in both social media and traditional media, including outlets which had been firmly pro-Sisi.[100]

Russia

Further information: Egypt–Russia relations
President Sisi (left) with President Vladimir Putin (2nd right)

Both military and political relations between Egypt and Russia witnessed significant improvements after Morsi's overthrow coinciding with the deterioration in relations between the United States and Egypt, once considered its important ally in the Middle East. Unlike the US, Russia supported Sisi's actions from the start, including his presidential bid.[67] Russia reportedly offered Egypt a huge military weapons deal after the US had suspended some military aid and postponed weapons delivery to Egypt. The Russian President Vladimir Putin was the first to congratulate Sisi on his inauguration. Sisi made Russia his first destination abroad as defence minister after being promoted to the rank of Field Marshal where he met with the Russian President Vladimir Putin and the Russian Minister of Defence General Sergey Shoygu to negotiate an arms deal with Russia instead of the United States.

Sisi and Vladimir Putin meeting on 10 February 2015

Sisi also visited Russia as an Egyptian President at the invitation of Russian President Vladimir Putin. The visit was described by Putin as reflective of "the special nature" of the relation between the two countries. Sisi was welcomed by General Sergey Shoygu who showed him different Russian-made military vehicles and weapons in the airport. Moscow's Vedemosti business daily reported that Russia and Egypt are nearing a $3 billion (2.2 billion euro) weapons agreement.[151] President Putin also accompanied him to visit the Russian cruiser Moskva before they gave a joint televised statement. Sisi announced in his statement that there was a new plan of "renewing and developing" giant projects established by the former Soviet Union. President Putin announced that an agreement has been reached to increase Egypt's supply of agricultural goods to Russia by 30 percent while his country will provide Egypt with 5 to 5.5 million tons of wheat. In addition, a free trade zone was also being discussed.[151]

United States

Further information: Egypt–United States relations
el-Sisi, escorts Secretary of Defense Chuck Hagel, in Cairo, on 24 April 2013

Relations between Egypt and the United States witnessed tensions after Morsi's overthrow.[152] The United States strongly condemned Sisi's administration on several occasions[153] before deciding to delay selling four F-16 fighter jets,[154] Apaches and Abrams' kits to Egypt. The US also cancelled the Bright Star joint military exercise with the Egyptian Armed Forces.[155] Sisi's administration also showed unusual actions dealing with the US, calling on Obama's administration to exercise restraint in dealing with "racially charged" unrest in Ferguson, echoing language the US used to caution Egypt previously as it cracked down on Islamist protesters.[152]

US Secretary of State John Kerry sits with el-Sisi at the Congress Center in Sharm el-Sheikh, Egypt, on 13 March 2015

They also checked US Secretary of State John Kerry and his top aides through a stationary metal detector as well as with a handheld wand before meeting with el-Sisi in an unusual screening for a senior State Department official.[156] Sisi also skipped Obama's invitation to the American-African summit.[157] However, in a 2014 news story, BBC reported: "The US has revealed it has released $575m (£338m) in military aid to Egypt that had been frozen since the ousting of President Mohammed Morsi last year."[158] In September 2014 Sisi visited the US to address the UN General assembly in New York. An extensive media campaign produced billboards which were distributed all over New York City, welcoming the Egyptian president.[159] In August 2015, Secretary of State John Kerry was in Cairo for a "U.S.-Egypt strategic dialogue".[160]

Following the election of Republican Donald Trump as the next President of the United States, the two countries are looking to improve the Egyptian-American relations. al-Sisi and Trump had met during the opening of the seventy-first session of the United Nations General Assembly in September 2016.[161]

Personal life

Unlike Hosni Mubarak, el-Sisi has been protective of the privacy of his family.[162] He is married and the father of three sons and one daughter. He comes from a religious family and frequently inserts Quranic verses into informal conversations;[163] El-Sisi's wife wears the Islamic Hijab. He is known to be quiet and is often called the Quiet General. Even as a young man he was often called "General Sisi" due to his perceived orderly demeanor.[162]

According to Sherifa Zuhur, a professor at the War College, when el-Sisi attended, many American officers expressed doubts that Muslims could be democratic. El-Sisi disputed this opinion; he and others were critical of decisions made in Iraq and Libya. Zuhur also had the impression that el-Sisi supported a gradual move towards pluralism.[164]

Recognition

Military

 
  

Civil

Publications

Written by Sisi when he was a Brigardier General:

See also

References

  1. ↑ Bowen, Jeremy (29 May 2014). "Egypt election: Sisi secures landslide win". BBC News. Retrieved 31 August 2015. Former military chief Abdul Fattah al-Sisi... gained more than 93% of the vote with ballots from most polling stations counted, state media say... Islamist and some secular groups boycotted the vote. Mr. Sisi's only opponent, Hamdeen Sabahi, has admitted defeat... Mr. Sisi deposed President Mohammed Morsi last July after mass protests. He has overseen a bloody crackdown on Mr. Morsi's Muslim Brotherhood movement in which more than 1,400 people have been killed and 16,000 detained. The Brotherhood boycotted the vote, as did many liberal and secular activist groups.
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  8. ↑ אילו חלומות מכוננים עיצבו את דרכו של א-סיסי בדרך לנשיאות מצרים?, The Post, 12 February 2014
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  150. ↑ "Egypt and Saudi Arabia discuss maneuvers as Yemen battles rage". Reuters. 14 April 2015.
  151. 1 2 "El-Sisi, Putin stress close ties, near arms deal".
  152. 1 2 "Haaretz: Sisi taking revenge on US for 'interference'".
  153. ↑ "Egypt 'closely following up with' Ferguson protests: foreign ministry".
  154. ↑ "No More Fighter Jets for Egypt, but We're Still Not Calling It a Coup".
  155. ↑ "Barack Obama cancels Operation Bright Star".
  156. ↑ "Kerry Checked By Security Before Meeting Egypt's President".
  157. ↑ "Egypt's El-Sisi to skip Obama's Africa summit".
  158. ↑ "US unlocks military aid to Egypt, backing President Sisi". BBC News. 22 June 2014.
  159. ↑ chronicle.fanack.com. "Egyptian President's Growing International Legitimacy". fanack.com. Retrieved 27 July 2015.
  160. ↑ "US resumes strategic dialogue with Egypt". Al Jazeera. 2 August 2015.
  161. ↑ "Egypt's Sisi congratulates US President elect Donald Trump". Ahram Online. November 9, 2016. Retrieved November 9, 2016.
  162. 1 2 "The Quiet General". Newsweek. 16 August 2013.
  163. ↑ "Sisi's Islamist Agenda for Egypt". Foreign Affairs. 28 July 2013. Retrieved 3 June 2014.
  164. ↑ "Ambitious men in uniform". The Economist. 3 August 2014. Retrieved 3 June 2014.

External links

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Military offices
Preceded by
Mohamed Hussein Tantawi		 General Commander of the Armed Forces
2012–2014 		Succeeded by
Sedki Sobhi
Political offices
Preceded by
Mohamed Hussein Tantawi		 Minister of Defence
2012–2014 		Succeeded by
Sedki Sobhi
Preceded by
Momtaz El-Saeed		 Deputy Prime Minister of Egypt
2013–2014 		Vacant
Preceded by
Adly Mansour
Interim		 President of Egypt
2014–present 		Incumbent
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