President: Egyptian Constitution untouchable, end of my presidential term in 2030 settled’
President Abdel Fattah El-Sisi asserted that Egypt’s Constitution would not be touched and that his presidential term would end in 2030 as stipulated. He stressed that the country had no shortage of capable people qualified to assume leadership responsibilities.
President Sisi was addressing a graduation ceremony for new batches of the Egyptian Military Academy and military colleges in the New Capital on Saturday.
He stressed that Egypt needed to prepare a new generation of qualified leaders capable of assuming responsibility for running the state, adding that the country was rich in competent individuals.
Sisi said the idea of establishing an academy to prepare and qualify personnel for state service had been discussed four years ago. The academy would help develop a pool of leaders equipped to serve the country and assume senior responsibilities.
He referred to Article 200 of the 2014 Constitution, which defines the Armed Forces’ role in protecting the country, its security and territorial integrity, safeguarding the Constitution and democracy, and preserving the state’s fundamental components and civilian institutions. The article also stipulates that only the state may establish military forces.
Sisi said the constitutional provision included a requirement for legislation to regulate the matters it addressed. He explained that the aim was to protect state institutions from infiltration and prevent unqualified individuals lacking an understanding of the state from assuming power.
The president outlined a proposed framework for preparing future leaders, including a 30-month period of training for candidates pursuing doctoral degrees from reputable Egyptian or foreign universities. He said legislation would be drafted to regulate the selection and election of candidates who met the required qualifications, giving Egyptians the opportunity to choose from among them.
Turning to the country’s recent history, Sisi highlighted the challenges Egypt had faced and the importance of preserving strong state institutions.
He recalled the economic difficulties and unrest of previous years, saying the country had incurred losses estimated at $450 billion.
He also warned against attempts to sow discord between state institutions, citing efforts to undermine public confidence in the Armed Forces and drive a wedge between the military, the police and the Egyptian people.
Sisi stressed that protecting the nation was a shared responsibility, beginning with the family and extending to all sectors of society. He said regional and international experiences had demonstrated that the stability of the nation-state depended on strong institutions capable of safeguarding national resources and maintaining security.
The president described the Armed Forces as a cornerstone of national security and an integral part of Egyptian society. He called for greater public awareness of the military’s responsibilities and sacrifices, while underscoring the importance of reliable information in countering attempts to undermine trust in national institutions.
He also paid tribute to fallen servicemen and wounded soldiers, pledging continued support for their families in recognition of their sacrifices.
Sisi said Egypt had made progress in strengthening state institutions, security and stability and advancing development across various sectors. However, he cautioned that these achievements did not mean the country’s challenges had ended.
Addressing the graduates, he urged them to uphold discipline, dedication and professionalism throughout their careers, stressing that military strength depended not only on weapons but also on knowledge, competence and commitment.
The ceremony was attended by House of Representatives Speaker Hisham Badawi, Commander-in-Chief of the Armed Forces and Minister of Defence and Military Production Ashraf Salem Zaher, ministers and senior state officials.
