Africaupdated 1h ago2 min read
Egypt’s Sisi Says Presidency Ends in 2030, Rules Out Constitutional Changes
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Sisi states term ends in 2030 and he will not seek another term. Constitution will not be touched; no amendments to extend his rule.
2030 pledge and training
Egyptian President Abdel Fattah al-Sisi said his presidential term will end in 2030 and insisted that the Egyptian constitution “will not be touched,” during a graduation ceremony at the Egyptian Military Academy in the New Administrative Capital. Sisi said a committee chaired by the Speaker of Parliament and including thinkers, politicians, and the ministers of higher education and justice will set candidate selection criteria and draft legislation for the training programme. Sisi said the plan would train potential leaders for 30 months before 2030, and he said the number of candidates could range from 200 to 1,000.
Sisi said the programme would target PhD holders from prestigious Egyptian and foreign universities and would prepare them for leadership roles across state institutions, including the presidency, ministries, governorates, and vital institutions. Sisi said he would not leave the Egyptian state until it is “brimming with its own people capable of shouldering responsibility,” and he said leadership development would not replace citizens’ right to choose.
Constitution and emergency session
Sisi told graduates that “The year 2030 will mark the end of my presidential term. This matter is completely settled,” and he reiterated that the constitution “will not be touched” as speculation about constitutional changes circulated.
Sisi also said Egypt is prepared to take any measures requested by Saudi Arabia to defend its security and sovereignty, and he said he would call on parliament to convene an emergency session to authorize such action if requested.
The Times of Israel reported that parliament announced an emergency session on Sunday after Sisi urged it to deliberate defending Saudis from Houthi attacks.
Sisi said “I’m not talking about fighting anyone or attacking anyone,” and he added, “We are speaking only about defense.”
Competing interpretations of intent
Mada Masr reported that Sisi’s pledge not to touch the Constitution sparked immediate queries about how long the president will remain in power. Mada Masr quoted a judicial source and an opposition party source describing Sisi’s remarks as a “political maneuver” intended to diffuse public anger while leaving his political future up to the public. Mada Masr said three parliamentary sources close to a sovereign security agency told it that Sisi’s pledge is inseparable from a broader plan to reshape the country’s political landscape.
Mada Masr reported that an opposition party source said, “Not before 2028,” when asked about when constitutional amendments could be raised. Mada Masr said Article 150-bis of the Constitution allows the president to appoint one or more vice presidents, define their roles, delegate some of his powers to them, remove them from office and accept their resignations.