Egyptian President Abdel Fattah al-Sisi has ruled out extending his presidency tenure beyond 2030, saying his current term will be his last and that the country’s constitution will not be amended to prolong his stay in office.
Sisi made the declaration while addressing graduates and state officials in Egypt’s new administrative capital, east of Cairo, where he dismissed further discussions about extending his presidency.
“The period leading up to 2030 will be the end of my term as president of the state, if I am still alive. This is completely settled and there will be no discussion about it,” he said.
The 71-year-old president added that the period before 2030 would be used to prepare a new generation of leaders.
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Sisi, a former army general, assumed office in 2014. He was initially limited to two four-year terms, but a constitutional amendment approved in a referendum extended presidential terms to six years and introduced transitional provisions that allowed him to seek another term.
The changes enabled him to remain in office beyond the limits set under the original constitutional provisions. However, critics and opposition figures have expressed concerns about the possibility of further amendments to extend his presidency beyond 2030.
During his 12 years in power, Sisi has pursued an ambitious state-led development programme, including major infrastructure projects. Critics, however, argue that heavy borrowing to finance the projects has contributed to Egypt’s rising debt burden.
Rights organisations have also accused his administration of restricting political opposition, civil society and freedom of expression.
The Egyptian government has defended its policies, arguing that they are necessary to maintain national stability and security.
