Sisi proposes military-academy training for future presidents
Egypt’s president has reaffirmed that his time in office ends in 2030 and proposed preparing potential successors at the military academy. The plan envisages a 30-month programme for doctorate holders aged 40–50. Sisi called for legislation involving parliament and relevant ministries; he did not announce an enacted set of election rules.
Geopolitics··Evening
Sisi reaffirms departure in 2030
Egyptian President Abdel Fattah el-Sisi reaffirmed at a military graduation ceremony on 17 October that his presidency would end in 2030. He said the decision was settled and repeated his earlier assurance that the constitution would remain unchanged. His remarks followed questions about previous comments at the police academy. He said he wanted to leave Egypt with people prepared to take responsibility for the country.[1], [2]
Sisi also denied preparing a family member or relative to succeed him. He argued that such an arrangement would be inappropriate for a country of Egypt’s size. At the same ceremony, he set out a proposal for training potential future presidents through the military academy, presenting preparation for public responsibility as a task extending beyond the presidency itself.[1]
A 30-month programme for doctorate holders
The proposed programme would last 30 months and accept suitable doctorate holders from Egyptian universities and recognised foreign institutions. Sisi proposed an age range of 40–50 for those taking admission tests. The military academy would conduct the programme and pay its training costs. Participants would study how the state operates and how to preserve it. Sisi asked the parliamentary speaker to take responsibility for the initiative with trusted thinkers and politicians. He also proposed involving the higher-education and justice ministries in drafting legislation on selecting people who meet the conditions.[1]
The proposal invokes the armed forces’ constitutional role
During the speech, Sisi read Article 200 of Egypt’s constitution, describing the armed forces’ responsibilities for protecting the country, its territory, the constitution and the civilian character of the state. He said he wanted to leave Egypt strong in 2030. He argued against handing responsibility to people he considered unprepared or ill-intentioned. The training programme was presented as a proposal requiring legislative work. No enacted election rules establishing a definitive timetable or final candidate conditions were announced at the ceremony.[1]
The constitutional article also assigns the armed forces responsibilities for democracy, the people’s gains and individual rights and freedoms. It reserves the establishment of armed forces to the state and prohibits individuals and groups from creating military or paramilitary formations. Sisi said he had insisted on this provision when the constitution was approved in 2014.[1]
