Egypt’s president rules out constitutional changes to extend his rule and outlines a programme to prepare future leaders ahead of the end of his term.
CAIRO, EGYPT — WEB DESK: Egyptian President Abdel Fattah al-Sisi has said he will leave office when his current presidential term ends in 2030, reaffirming that Egypt’s constitution will not be amended to extend his rule.
Sisi made the announcement on Saturday during a graduation ceremony at the Egyptian Military Academy in the New Administrative Capital, east of Cairo. He described the matter as settled and said the period leading up to 2030 would mark the end of his presidency.
The 71-year-old former army chief also outlined plans to prepare a new generation of leaders, giving the military academy a role in training prospective senior officials and presidential candidates.
His remarks come amid longstanding debate over political succession, constitutional term limits and the military’s influence in Egypt’s civilian institutions.
Sisi says his presidency will end in 2030
Sisi said the Egyptian constitution would not be changed to allow him to remain in office beyond his current term.
He reaffirmed that his presidency would end in 2030, presenting the commitment as a settled decision rather than an issue open to further discussion.
The statement addresses speculation among critics and opposition figures about whether further constitutional changes could enable him to remain president beyond the scheduled end of his mandate.
However, the announcement is a statement of intent about his departure from office; future political developments and the implementation of any succession process remain to be seen.
How Egypt’s presidential term limits changed
Sisi became president in 2014 after the military ousted Mohamed Morsi, Egypt’s first democratically elected president, in 2013 following mass protests.
Egypt’s constitution initially limited presidents to two four-year terms. Amendments approved in a 2019 referendum extended presidential terms from four years to six and included transitional provisions that enabled Sisi to seek another term.
He won re-election in December 2023, beginning a six-year term scheduled to end in 2030.
The constitutional changes and the prospect of another extension have drawn scrutiny from opposition figures and critics concerned about political competition and the concentration of power.
Sisi’s latest statement reiterates that he does not intend to pursue an extension beyond the end of his current mandate.
Military academy to help prepare future leaders
Alongside his commitment to leave office, Sisi outlined a leadership development initiative that would use the Egyptian Military Academy to train prospective leaders before 2030.
The proposed programme is intended to prepare hundreds of candidates for senior public responsibilities, including potential roles as ministers and presidential candidates.
A selection committee involving the speaker of parliament, ministers and intellectuals is expected to establish eligibility criteria and develop legislation for the programme.
The training is expected to cover governance, statecraft and resource management. The initiative would give the military academy a prominent role in preparing individuals for future political and administrative leadership.
Sisi has said the aim is to ensure that capable Egyptians are prepared to assume responsibility for the state after his presidency ends.
Details of the programme’s final selection process and the way participants might progress to political office remain important questions.
Debate over the military’s role in civilian affairs
The leadership initiative also raises questions about the role of Egypt’s military institutions in preparing future civilian leaders.
Under Sisi, the armed forces have maintained a significant presence in Egypt’s political and economic life. His government has also pursued major state-led development projects, including construction and infrastructure initiatives.
Supporters of the government have presented these projects and leadership programmes as part of efforts to develop national capacity and maintain stability.
Critics, including international human rights organisations, have raised concerns about restrictions on political opposition, civil society and freedom of expression. The Egyptian government has defended its policies on security and stability grounds.
The proposed academy programme will therefore be watched in the context of broader questions about political participation, leadership selection and the relationship between military institutions and civilian government.
