Egyptians had barely begun to take comfort in President Abdel Fattah El-Sisi’s pledge not to tamper with the Constitution and his assurance that 2030 would mark the end of his third presidential term, only for him to deal them a severe blow by revealing his intention to select Egypt’s next ruler through a training programme at the military academy run by the armed forces.

El-Sisi, 72, made the remarks earlier this week during a graduation ceremony for new classes at the Military Academy in the New Administrative Capital, east of Cairo. The remarks came just days after he reaffirmed his commitment to the Constitution at the armed forces’ 44th educational seminar.

Militarising the presidency

The vision outlined by the Egyptian president would expand the role of the Military Academy, which already trains judges, diplomats, teachers, imams from the Ministry of Awqaf and civil servants across various sectors.

The vision outlined by the Egyptian president would expand the role of the Military Academy, which already trains judges, diplomats, teachers, imams from the Ministry of Awqaf and civil servants across various sectors.

Under the plan, the academy would also prepare a generation of qualified leaders to take up the presidency and other key state positions.

El-Sisi, who came to power in a military coup that ousted Egypt’s first democratically elected president, Mohamed Morsi, on 3rd July 2013, said he would ensure that “Egypt has capable people ready to take on responsibility” before leaving office.

El-Sisi continued: “They will train at the academy to understand the nature of the state and how to safeguard it, creating an opportunity for selection and election among them.” He added that “no ill-intentioned person, criminal or traitor will rule Egypt after me”.

The presidential proposal, which comes less than four years before El-Sisi’s third term expires, involves a 30-month training programme funded by the armed forces and comprising more than 7,500 hours of training and education.

The presidential proposal, which comes less than four years before El-Sisi’s third term expires, involves a 30-month training programme funded by the armed forces and comprising more than 7,500 hours of training and education.

The programme is intended for holders of doctoral degrees aged between 40 and 50. At the same time, a draft law is to be prepared to regulate the programme and establish a mechanism for selecting qualified candidates to contest the 2030 presidential election.

Notably, El-Sisi has proposed an........

© Middle East Monitor