Abdel Fattah el-Sisi

Abdel Fattah el-Sisi
6th President of Egypt
Incumbent
Assumed office
8 June 2014
Prime Minister Ibrahim Mahlab
Preceded by Adly Mansour (Acting)
Deputy Prime Minister of Egypt
In office
16 July 2013 – 26 March 2014
Prime Minister Hazem al-Beblawi (Acting)
Ibrahim Mahlab (Acting)
Minister of Defence
In office
12 August 2012 – 26 March 2014
Prime Minister Hesham Qandil
Hazem al-Beblawi (Acting)
Ibrahim Mahlab (Acting)
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
19 November 1954
Cairo, Egypt
Political party Independent
Spouse(s) Entissar Amer (1977–present)
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
Egyptian military intervention in Libya

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) is the sixth and current President of Egypt, in office since June 2014.

Born in Gamaleya, Old Cairo, Sisi graduated from Egyptian Military Academy. Sisi held various command positions in the Egyptian Armed Forces and served as Egypt's military attaché in Riyadh. Sisi attended the Egyptian Command and Staff College in 1987. He attended the Joint Services Command and Staff College in 1992 and the U.S. Army War College in Pennsylvania in 2006.[1]

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. As chief of the Egyptian Armed Forces, Sisi ousted President Mohammed Morsi after an uprising against him in 2013. Sisi installed an interim government and remained as Minister of Defence in addition to becoming First Deputy Prime Minister.

On 26 March 2014, amid calls for Sisi to run for president, he resigned from the military announcing he would stand as a candidate in the 2014 presidential election.[2] The poll, held between 26 and 28 May 2014[3] resulted in Sisi winning the presidency.[3][4] Sisi was sworn into office as President of Egypt on 8 June 2014.

Early life and military education

El-Sisi was born on 19 November 1954 in Cairo,[5] to parents Said Hussein Khalili al-Sisi and Malika Titani.[6] He grew up in Gamaleya, near the al-Azhar Mosque, and in a quarter where Muslims, Jews and Christians resided, and in which he has recalled hearing church bells and watching Jews flock to the synagogue unhindered. His family originated from Monufia Governorate,[7] and was known for its discipline, zeal and resulting wealth. 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,[8] had a wooden antiques shop for tourists in the historic bazaar of Khan el-Khalili.[9]

Often described as disciplined, quiet and devout, el-Sisi preferred to concentrate on his studies or helping his father rather than participate in soccer with neighborhood children. 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.[10][11][12][13][14][15][16] He attended the following courses:

Career

El-Sisi received his commission as a military officer in 1977 serving in the mechanized infantry, specializing 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.[18]

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.[19] Sisi was then described by the official website of FJP as a "Defense minister with revolutionary taste".[20] El-Sisi also took the post of Minister of Defense and Military Production in the Qandil Cabinet.

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

After el-Sisi was appointed as minister of defense on 12 August 2012, there were concerns in Egypt regarding rumors 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".[21] 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.[22]

2013 protests and Morsi overthrow

On 30 June 2013, in response to the Tamarod movement, mass demonstrations took place in Tahrir Square and Heliopolis Palace in Cairo as well as in other Egyptian cities including Alexandria, Port Said and Suez.

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.[23]

On 2 July 2013, the presidency rejected the Egyptian Army's 48-hour ultimatum and Morsi made a late speech declaring that he would "defend the legitimacy of his elected office with his life and he won't step down".

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."[24] 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".<ref name="Egypt's Muslim Brotherhood rejects "military coup" against Morsi">"Egypt's Muslim Brotherhood rejects "military coup" against Morsi". Xinhua News Agency. 5 July 2013. Retrieved 11 December 2013.</ref>

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.[25] Some interpreted this to mean that el-Sisi felt the need of the people to prove to the world that it wasn't 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.[26][27]

The reactions to el-Sisi's announcement ranged from open support from the Egyptian presidency[28] and the Tamarod movement[29] to rejection, not only by the Muslim Brotherhood,[26] but also by the Salafi Nour Party,[30] the moderate Strong Egypt Party,[31] the revolutionary April 6 Youth Movement[32] and Egyptian human rights groups.[33]

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.[34]

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.[35][36][37] Robert Fisk described General el-Sisi as at a loss, but that a massacre would go down in history as an infamy.[38] Lee Smith concluded that "Egypt’s New Leader Is Unfit to Rule".[39] 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.[40] 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.[41][42][43]

U.S. Secretary of State Kerry meets with el-Sisi in Cairo on November 3, 2013

On 3 August 2013, el-Sisi gave his first interview since the overthrow of President Mohamed Morsi. Speaking to The Washington Post, he criticized the U.S. 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."[44]

On the 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."[45]

During the anniversary celebration, General el-Sisi invited the Emirati, Iraqi, Bahraini, Moroccan and Jordanian defense 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".[45]

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.[46]

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, TV shows and interviews discussed the "new idol of the Nile valley" in the Egyptian mainstream media.[47][48][49][50]

On 6 December 2013, el-Sisi was named "Time Person of the Year" in Time magazine's annual reader poll.[51] 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."[52]

"Kamel Gemilak" (Finish your Favor) and "El-Sisi for president" are campaigns that were started aiming to gather signatures in order to press el-Sisi, who has said he has no desire to govern, to run.[53] 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,[54] Tamarod,[55] Amr Moussa, a previous candidate for the presidency,[56] Abdel-Hakim Abdel-Nasser son of late President Gamal Abdel Nasser,[53] unsuccessful presidential candidate Ahmed Shafik,[57] Prime Minister Hazem Al Beblawi,[58] Naguib Sawiris,[59] the Free Egyptians Party, the Revolutionary Forces Bloc,[60] and the Russian president Vladimir Putin.[61] However, Hamdeen Sabahi ran against him in the presidential race.[62] 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.[63][64][65]

Kamel Gemilak claimed to have collected 26 million signatures asking Sisi to run for president.[66]

On 21 January 2014, Kamel Gemilak organized a mass conference call in Cairo International Stadium to call on el-Sisi to run for president.[67]

In 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.[68][69] Colonel Ahmed Ali, the Egyptian army's spokesperson, later denied the news, saying that it's not accurate through his official Facebook page.[70]

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.[71][72]

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.

President of Egypt

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.[73] 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.[74] 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 weren't invited because of their critical stances regarding then-recent events in Egypt.[75] Israel also wasn't 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.

Domestic policy

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.[76] Shortly before Sisi arrived in Malabo, 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.[77] He also concluded the tour with a few hours' visit to Sudan.[78]

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.[79] Sisi' 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.[80] Sisi encouraged Egyptians to help rebuilding the Egyptian economy saying that he will give an example by announcing that he is donating half his salary and half his personal assets (including his inheritance) to support the Egyptian economy; a move that will force senior officials and prominent businessmen to do the same.[80] After his call, Colonel General Sedki Sobhi announced that the Egyptian Armed Forces would help supporting the economy by donating $140m (£82m).[80] Sisi has also ordered the ministry of finance to enforce rules on maximum wages estimated at 42,000 EGP ($5,873) per month.[79] 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 sexual assaults issue 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.[80]

El-Sisi also became the first Egyptian president in the entire Egyptian history to attend the Christmas Mass[81] 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.[82][81] 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 symbolizing the national unity.[83]

Economic reforms

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 5 years time.[84] Egypt has spent $96 billion on energy subsidies in a decade which made petrol in Egypt among the world's cheapest.[84] 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.[85] 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.[84] The decision was met with anger from some, and a smattering of protests broke out after the announcement. Dozens of drivers and passengers blocked the road in the middle-income Cairo neighborhood of Shoubra el-Kheima.[84] 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 there was not, as governments feared, backlash like the Bread Riots of 1977.[86] Sisi, who 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.[87]

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 make canal's revenues increase by 259% from current annual revenues of $5 billion. The project which expected to cost around 60 billion Egyptian-pound ($8.4 billion) would be fast-tracked over a year. Sisi insisted funding come from Egyptian sources only.[88]

Sisi also introduced the Suez Canal Area Development Project[89] 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.[90]

Sisi also started the National Roads Project, which is building a road network of more than 4400 kilometers long and reclaim 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.[90]

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 couldn't 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 wouldn't. Eighty-nine percent said that there is improvement in the security situation after Sisi's taking office. 73 percent said that fuel has become regularly available since Sisi's election. Meanwhile, thirty-five percent believe price controls have improved, while 32 percent believe that they have became worse. Twenty-nine percent of the sample does not see any change, and three percent are undecided.[91]

Foreign policy

Palestine and Israel

Relations with Israel have improved significantly following Mohamed Morsi's removal.[92][93] With continuous support for Palestine, the Sisi administration supports the two-state solution establishing a Palestinian state on lands that were occupied in 1948 with Eastern Jerusalem as its capital for the Israeli–Palestinian conflict achieving the Palestinians needs and granting Israel the security it wants.[94] The first months of Sisi's presidency witnessed the 2014 Israel–Gaza conflict. Egypt's first official reaction came expressing Egypt's "deep concern" about the situation in the Gaza Strip and calling for self-restraint as well as stopping the mutual violence.[95] 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.[96] 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".[97] 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.[98][99] The conflict ended with an Egyptian-brokered ceasefire on 26 August. Egypt diplomacy brooking a ceasefire between Israel and Palestine, cutting Hamas down to size, keeping Qatar and Turkey out of the equation and marginalizing the United States role made Egypt the only winner in the conflict.[100] Egypt also hosted the international donor conference in Cairo aiming to raise 4 billion (3.2 billion euros) to reconstruct the Gaza Strip.[101] Sisi described the 2014 Israel–Gaza conflict as a great chance to end the 66-years-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".[101] 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".[102] 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.[103] Sisi also stipulate that the Palestinian Authority would take the 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[104] 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.[105]

Turkey

In response to the 2014 Israel–Gaza conflict and Egyptian support for Israel in its war against Hamas,[106][107] Turkish Prime Minister Recep Tayyip Erdoğan called al-Sisi an "illegitimate tyrant."[108] In response to Erdoğan's remarks, the Egyptian Foreign Ministry warned that the Egypt–Turkey relationship would be worsened.[109]

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 $20bn to help Egypt since Morsi's overthrow, Sisi said last month, and are likely to pledge more."[110]

Russia
President Sisi (left) with President Vladimir Putin (2nd right)
Sisi and Putin meeting on 10 February 2015

Both Military and political relations between Egypt and Russia witnessed a significant development 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 U.S., Russia has supported Sisi's actions since day one, including his presidential bid.[61] Russia reportedly offered Egypt a huge military weapons deal after the U.S. 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 abroad destination as a 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 also visited Russia as an Egyptian President at the invitation of Russian President Vladimir Putin. The visit, which was according to the Russian Presidency, was described by Putin as "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.[111] 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 is another 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.[111]

United States
el-Sisi, escorts Secretary of Defense Chuck Hagel, in Cairo, on April 24, 2013
Secretary Kerry, Egyptian Foreign Minister Shoukry Discuss Gaza Ceasefire With Egyptian President al-Sisi in Cairo

Relations between Egypt and the United States witnessed prevailing tension after Morsi's overthrow.[112] The United States has strongly condemned Sisi's administration on several occasions[113] before deciding to delay selling four F-16 fighter jets,[114] Apaches and Abrams' kits to Egypt. The U.S. also cancelled the Bright Star joint military exercise with the Egyptian Armed Forces.[115] Sisi's administration also showed unusual actions dealing with the U.S., calling on Obama's administration to exercise restraint in dealing with "racially charged" unrest in Ferguson, echoing language the U.S. used to caution Egypt previously as it cracked down on Islamist protesters.[112] They also checked U.S. 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.[116] Sisi also skipped Obama's invitation to the American-African summit.[117] 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."[118]

Personal life

Unlike Hosni Mubarak, el-Sisi has been protective of the privacy of his family.[119] 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;[120] El-Sisi's wife wears the traditional 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.[119] His interests include reading about history and law.

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.[121]

Medals and decorations

 
  

See also

References

  1. ↑ Abdel Fattah el-Sisi Fast Facts, CNN Library, July 1, 2014.
  2. ↑ 2.0 2.1 "Egypt's El-Sisi bids military farewell, says he will run for presidency". Ahram Online. 26 March 2014. Retrieved 26 March 2014.
  3. ↑ 3.0 3.1 "Egypt election: Sisi secures landslide win". BBC. 29 May 2014. Retrieved 29 July 2014.
  4. ↑ 4.0 4.1 "Former army chief scores landslide victory in Egypt presidential polls". The Guardian. Retrieved 29 May 2014.
  5. ↑ 5.0 5.1 "Profile: Egypt armed forces chief Abdul Fattah al-Sisi". BBC. 21 August 2012. Retrieved 21 August 2012.
  6. ↑ "Abdel Fattah el-Sisi Fast Facts". CNN. July 1, 2014. Retrieved March 29, 2015.
  7. ↑ אילו חלומות מכוננים עיצבו את דרכו של א-סיסי בדרך לנשיאות מצרים?, The Post, 12 February 2014
  8. ↑ "General Al-Sisi: The Man Who Now Runs Egypt". Newsweek. 16 August 2013. Retrieved 26 March 2014.
  9. ↑ "Popular wave could lift Egypt army chief to office". Al Arabiya. 30 January 2014.
  10. ↑ "Popular wave may lift Egypt's Sisi to office". News 24. 30 January 2014. Retrieved 25 May 2014.
  11. ↑ "In the heartland of the al-Sisi cult". Qantara. 16 August 2013. Retrieved 25 May 2014.
  12. ↑ "Sisi strikes back at Islamists with ‘correct’ apolitical Islam". Reuters. 10 May 2014. Retrieved 25 May 2014.
  13. ↑ "Abdel Fatah al-Sisi: behind the public face of Egypt's soon-to-be president". Guardian. 22 May 2014. Retrieved 25 May 2014.
  14. ↑ "Egyptian presidential candidates' wives in the spotlight". Ansa. 13 May 2014. Retrieved 25 May 2014.
  15. ↑ "Egypt's next first daughter? Meet Aya el-Sisi". Alarabiya. 2 June 2014. Retrieved 2014-08-10.
  16. ↑ "First Lady’s style: Conservative yet trendy". Daily News Egypt. Retrieved 2014-08-09.
  17. ↑ 17.0 17.1 17.2 17.3 17.4 17.5 17.6 17.7 17.8 17.9 17.10 17.11 17.12 17.13 17.14 17.15 17.16 17.17 17.18 17.19 17.20 17.21 17.22 "Profile: Egypt armed forces chief Abdul Fattah Al-Sisi". State Information Service. 5 November 2013. Retrieved 5 November 2013.
  18. ↑ Egypt amnesty virginity BBC. 27 June 2011.
  19. ↑ "Morsy assumes power: Sacks Tantawi and Anan, reverses constitutional decree and reshuffles SCAF". Daily News Egypt. 12 August 2012. Retrieved 26 July 2013.
  20. ↑ "السيسي".. وزير دفاع بنكهة "25 يناير" ورئيس لمصر بتأييد "30 يونيو". Retrieved 26 July 2013.
  21. ↑ "Al-Sisi: The hand that harms any egyptian must be cut".
  22. ↑ "Egypt's army chief Abdel Fattah al-Sisi receives a promotion ahead of likely presidency bid". Australian Broadcasting Corporation. 27 January 2014. Retrieved 27 January 2014.
  23. ↑ "Profile: General Abdel Fattah Al Sisi". Al Jazeera. 3 July 2013. Retrieved 3 July 2013.
  24. ↑ "Egypt Orders Mass Arrests of Muslim Brotherhood Members". Al Jazeera. 3 July 2013. Retrieved 3 July 2013.
  25. ↑ Beach, Alastair (24 July 2013). "Showdown in Cairo: Egyptian general demands permission to take on the ‘terrorists’". The Independent (London). Retrieved 26 July 2013.
  26. ↑ 26.0 26.1 Fahim, Kareem (24 July 2013). "Egyptian General Calls for Mass Protests". The New York Times. Retrieved 26 July 2013.
  27. ↑ "Army chief's rally call finds backing in Egypt press". BBC. 25 July 2013. Retrieved 26 July 2013.
  28. ↑ "Egypt's presidency calls for protests against 'terrorism'". Ahram online. 24 July 2013. Retrieved 26 July 2013.
  29. ↑ "'Rebel' endorses el-Sisi's call for Friday demos". Ahram online. 25 July 2013. Retrieved 26 July 2013.
  30. ↑ "Egypt's Nour Party and 6 April reject El-Sisi's call for Friday rallies". Ahram online. 24 July 2013. Retrieved 26 July 2013.
  31. ↑ "Egypt's Abol Fotouh warns against army-called rally". Chicago Tribune. 24 July 2013. Retrieved 26 July 2013.
  32. ↑ "6 April Youth Movement to stay off the streets on Friday". Daily News Egypt. 26 July 2013. Retrieved 26 July 2013.
  33. ↑ "Egypt rights groups voice misgiving about army's call for rallies". Ahram online. 26 July 2013. Retrieved 26 July 2013.
  34. ↑ "Egypt rights groups voice misgiving about army's call for rallies". Associated Press. 26 July 2013. Retrieved 26 July 2013.
  35. ↑ "Army embrace starts to worry some Egyptians". Reuters. 15 July 2013. Retrieved 26 July 2013.
  36. ↑ "Death toll from Egypt violence rises to 638: Health ministry". Al-Ahram. 15 August 2013. Archived from the original on 19 August 2013. Retrieved 19 August 2013.
  37. ↑ David D. Kirkpatrick (15 August 2013). "Islamists Debate Their Next Move in Tense Cairo". The New York Times. Archived from the original on 19 August 2013. Retrieved 19 August 2013.
  38. ↑ Fisk, Robert (8 August 2013). "In Egypt General al-Sisi is at a loss – but a massacre on Eid would bring too much infamy". The Independent (London).
  39. ↑ Smith, Lee (20 August 2013). "Viewpoint: Egypt’s New Leader Is Unfit to Rule". Time.
  40. ↑ State Information Services (15 August 2013). "Sit in Dispersal". State Information Services. Retrieved 19 August 2013.
  41. ↑ "Poll: 67% of Egyptians satisfied about method of ending pro-Morsy sit-ins".
  42. ↑ "Egyptian opinion on sit-in dispersals: Finding truth in reported facts". Daily News Egypt. 26 August 2013.
  43. ↑ "67% of Egyptians are satisfied with dispersal of Brotherhood sit-ins: Baseera". Ahram online.
  44. ↑ Weymouth, Lally (3 August 2013). "Rare interview with Egyptian Gen. Abdel Fatah al-Sissi". The Washington Post. Retrieved 30 January 2014.
  45. ↑ 45.0 45.1 "Egypt rights groups voice misgiving about army's call for rallies". Daily News Egypt. 7 October 2013. Retrieved 7 October 2013.
  46. ↑ Lindsey, Ursula (12 September 2013). "The Cult of Sisi". The New York Times.
  47. ↑ Lindsey, Ursula (12 September 2013). "The Cult of Sisi". The New York Times.
  48. ↑ "Catch the Al Sisi mania". Ahram online.
  49. ↑ "El Sisi mania goes on and on". Egyptian Chronicle. 25 October 2013. Retrieved 30 January 2014.
  50. ↑ Stack, Liam (25 October 2013). "It's 'Sisi-Mania,' as Nationalist Fervor Sweeps Through Egypt". The Lede. Retrieved 30 January 2014.
  51. ↑ Rayman, Noah (5 December 2013). "Egypt's Sisi Wins Reader Poll for TIME Person of the Year". Time. Retrieved 7 December 2013.
  52. ↑ Khalil, Ashraf (6 December 2013). "Egypt’s Sisi Wins Reader Poll for TIME Person of the Year". Time. Retrieved 7 December 2013.
  53. ↑ 53.0 53.1 "Egypt army chief El-Sisi pushed towards presidential run". Ahram Online. 30 September 2013. Retrieved 3 June 2014.
  54. ↑ "NSF will back Sisi if he runs for president, Badawy says". 4 November 2013. Retrieved 3 June 2014.
  55. ↑ "We support Sabahi if Sisi does not run for presidency: Tamarod Founder". 17 December 2013. Retrieved 4 June 2014.
  56. ↑ "Moussa urges Sisi to run for president". 18 December 2013. Retrieved 3 June 2014.
  57. ↑ "Shafiq will not run for presidency if Al-Sisi nominates himself". Daily News Egypt. 9 September 2013. Retrieved 3 June 2014.
  58. ↑ Egypt’s PM backs Sisi for president Al Arabiya. 23 January 2014. Retrieved 30 January 2014.
  59. ↑ "Swiris Backs AlSisi". CNN.
  60. ↑ "Revolutionary Forces Bloc declares support for Sisi's bid for president". TheCairoPost.
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  65. ↑ "Egyptian candidate questions Sisi's commitment to democracy". Reuters. 13 March 2014. Retrieved 14 March 2014.
  66. ↑ "Misr Balady Front calls on Al-Sisi to run for presidency". Reuters. 21 January 2014. Retrieved 21 January 2014.
  67. ↑ "Supporters urge Egypt general to run for president". Times of Israel. 21 January 2014. Retrieved 3 June 2014.
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  71. ↑ "Egypt Anti-Sisi hashtag sweeps Twitter". BBC. 30 March 2014. Retrieved 31 March 2014.
  72. ↑ "Egypt's Twitter hashtags declare defiance Twitter". aljazeera. 9 April 2014.
  73. ↑ "Egypt's Sisi sworn in as president". The Guardian. 8 June 2014.
  74. ↑ "Egyptians Celebrate President Sisi's Winning".
  75. ↑ "All diplomats in Egypt invited to Sisi’s inauguration: Foreign Ministry". The Cairo Post. 8 June 2014.
  76. ↑ "Egypt's Sisi make Algeria his first foreign trip, security tops agenda". Reuters. 25 June 2014.
  77. ↑ "Africa: Sisi Announces New Agency for Africa's Development".
  78. ↑ "Egypt: Sisi Returns to Cairo From Khartoum After African Tour".
  79. ↑ 79.0 79.1 "Egyptians uncertain about future under President Sisi".
  80. ↑ 80.0 80.1 80.2 80.3 "Egypt's Sisi goes cycling for fuel economy".
  81. ↑ 81.0 81.1 "Egyptian president attends Coptic Christmas Eve mass in Cairo".
  82. ↑ "Egypt’s Sisi Becomes First President to Attend Christmas Mass".
  83. ↑ "Muslims and Copts share mixed reaction to Sisi Cathedral visit".
  84. ↑ 84.0 84.1 84.2 84.3 "El-Sisi Says Price Rises to Save Egypt From Debt Drowning".
  85. ↑ "Egypt president raises cigarette, alcohol prices".
  86. ↑ "Egypt subsidies cut much-needed 'bitter medicine': Sisi".
  87. ↑ "Sisi Expresses Regret Over Conviction of Journalists".
  88. ↑ "Al-Sisi kicks off new Suez Canal project, lays down tightened completion deadline".
  89. ↑ "Sisi launches Suez Canal Development Project".
  90. ↑ 90.0 90.1 "Egypt Has Ambitious Plan for Suez Canal Expansion".
  91. ↑ "82 pct of Egyptians happy with Sisi's performance: Baseera".
  92. ↑ Egypt’s decision to side with Israel has cost Gaza dear. The Guardian. 30 July 2014
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  94. ↑ "Sisi reiterates support for Palestinian statehood, slams media campaign". Egypt Independent. 24 August 2014.
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  96. ↑ Ari Yashar (July 11, 2014). "Egypt slams Israel repressive operation". Israel National news.
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  98. ↑ "Egyptian govt to send 500 tons of aid to Gaza". Al=Ahram Weekly. July 11, 2014.
  99. ↑ "Egypt, Jordan urge world to intervene in Gaza". i24news. July 12, 2014.
  100. ↑ Aaron David Miller (August 6, 2014). "Who Won the Gaza War?". Foreign Policy.
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  110. ↑ "Saudi King Abdullah visits Egypt's Sisi". Al-Jazeera. 20 June 2014.
  111. ↑ 111.0 111.1 "El-Sisi, Putin stress close ties, near arms deal".
  112. ↑ 112.0 112.1 "Haaretz: Sisi taking revenge on US for 'interference'".
  113. ↑ "Egypt "closely following up with" Ferguson protests: foreign ministry".
  114. ↑ "No More Fighter Jets for Egypt, but We're Still Not Calling It a Coup".
  115. ↑ "Barack Obama cancels Operation Bright Star".
  116. ↑ "Kerry Checked By Security Before Meeting Egypt's President".
  117. ↑ "Egypt's El-Sisi to skip Obama's Africa summit".
  118. ↑ "US unlocks military aid to Egypt, backing President Sisi". BBC News. 22 June 2014.
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  121. ↑ "Ambitious men in uniform". The Economist. 3 August 2014. Retrieved 3 June 2014.

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