Egyptian President Abdel Fattah El-Sisi Recalls Chaos, Affirms Egypt’s Future
Reflecting on the Past
Egyptian President Abdel Fattah el-Sisi recently reflected on the period from 2011 to 2014, describing it as a chaotic era that threatened the existence of Egypt. The comments were made during the 71st anniversary of the July Revolution. El-Sisi emphasized that Egypt went through an unstable period of chaos that posed serious threats to the state and the people of Egypt.
According to the President, it was essential to seriously consider the future and the new republic, and restore it to its rightful place among nations. He affirmed that a safe and stable homeland was the priority, and that social and economic development and modernization had become a necessity for life and the future.
Foundations of the New Republic
El-Sisi further stated that the foundations and values of the new republic are based on the priority of protecting the homeland, amidst a complex and turbulent international and regional reality. He pointed out that national unity was necessary due to the nature of the threats that significantly target the interior.
Current Objectives of Egypt
The president announced that Egypt’s current goals include achieving sustainable and accelerated development, providing equal job opportunities, achieving a dignified life, and building national capacity in all fields. He also mentioned that achieving these goals requires the development of human characteristics in society, building the Egyptian human being, and improving educational, health, and cultural conditions.
Welcoming a New Interim Government
El-Sisi’s recent meeting with the incoming Libyan Prime Minister Abdul Hamid Dbeibah in Cairo is a noteworthy development. During this meeting, he offered his country’s support in achieving stability in the troubled neighbouring nation. Egypt has announced plans to reopen its embassy in the Libyan capital, Tripoli, welcoming the formation of a new interim government.
Building a New Egypt
El-Sisi has embarked on a series of ambitious infrastructure projects that promise a “new Egypt”. These initiatives encompass a range of sectors, from bridges, roads, and new towns, to museums, social housing, and prisons. The most notable projects include the widening of the Suez Canal and the construction of a “new administrative capital” less than 50 kilometers from Cairo.
Despite the nation’s economic crisis and the tripling of foreign debt since 2013, El-Sisi portrays himself as a modernizer. However, his building fever is not only aimed at development in a country with an official poverty rate of 29.7% and a rapidly growing population, but it is also a political maneuver to assert his power and erect symbols of it.
El-Sisi’s Leadership
El-Sisi, the former head of military intelligence, has consistently maintained his image as a man of stability, especially following the chaos of the Islamist interlude of 2012-2013 and the Arab Spring of 2011. A decade later, he continues to blame Egypt’s difficulties on the mutineers of Tahrir Square, who are accused of having served as a Trojan horse for the Islamists.
The President’s commitment to major works began with the expansion of the Suez Canal, a symbol of Egyptian pride, which was completed in record time and financed by a national fundraising campaign. For the fiscal year 2022-2023, the Suez Canal brought in record revenues of around €8.6 billion, suggesting that El-Sisi’s gamble has paid off.
Despite the challenges and criticisms, El-Sisi’s leadership continues to shape Egypt’s present and future. As the nation navigates the complexities of regional politics and internal reforms, the President’s vision for a new Egypt remains a central pillar of the country’s trajectory.
