El-Sisi Proposes Military-Run Pipeline for Egypt's Next Leaders
The president outlined a plan to train future officials at the Military Academy, citing constitutional provisions that give the armed forces control over state security.
By Layla Fontaine ·
Egyptian President Abdel Fattah el-Sisi has proposed a system in which the military academy would train the next generation of the country's top leaders. Speaking at a graduation ceremony at the Egyptian Military Academy, the president announced that he intends to leave office after his third term concludes in April 2030. This announcement came as a surprise to many observers who expected him to amend the constitution to extend his rule.
El-Sisi stated that no one would alter the constitution to keep him in power. He cited Article 200 of the constitution, which assigns the armed forces a primary role in maintaining the country's democracy and protecting the rights of its people. The president described the aim of this article as a shield against those who attempt to infiltrate the state or those who lack the capacity to manage the nation.
Under the new proposal, a committee of experts would draft legislation to select candidates for high-level positions. Applicants for this program must hold doctoral degrees and be between the ages of 40 and 50. These individuals would spend 30 months at the academy undergoing specialized training on the structure of the Egyptian state. The program is designed to produce future presidents, ministers, governors, and members of parliament.
This plan operates alongside Article 234 of the constitution. That article requires the president to obtain approval from the Supreme Council of the Armed Forces before appointing a defense minister. Together, these provisions grant the military substantial influence over political appointments and national security decisions.
The economic context of this political shift is stark. Egypt's debt currently stands at 81 percent of its gross domestic product. Interest payments on this debt exceed the combined spending on healthcare, education, wages, and subsidies. Since 2014, the Egyptian pound has lost more than 80 percent of its value against the US dollar. Cumulative inflation in the country has surpassed 460 percent.
Critics argue that el-Sisi's voluntary exit strategy protects the military's dominance while offering him potential immunity. A civilian president chosen through a traditional popular mandate might investigate the 2013 coup or allegations of corruption during el-Sisi's tenure. A transition managed by the military makes such investigations less likely. A member of parliament recently noted that el-Sisi has privately said he would prefer to step down rather than face a forced removal by the army.
The president's announcement follows a pattern of shifting commitments. In 2013, he denied plans to run for president after ousting Mohamed Morsi. In 2017, he pledged to preserve the two-term limit in the constitution before leading its amendment in 2019. A judicial source told Mada Masr that the current announcement leaves room for a popular call to keep the president in office if needed.
El-Sisi's plan effectively places the selection of Egypt's future leadership in the hands of a military-led process. The system prioritizes technical training at the academy over direct popular election for key roles. This structure ensures that the armed forces remain the central arbiter of political power well into the next decade.
