Abdel Fattah el-Sisi
Abdel Fattah el-Sisi is an Egyptian politician and retired military officer who has been serving as the President of Egypt since 2014. Here are some detailed insights into his life, career, and political journey:
Early Life and Military Career
- El-Sisi was born on November 19, 1954, in Cairo, Egypt. He graduated from the Egyptian Military Academy in 1977 and further advanced his military education at the United States Army War College in Pennsylvania.
- His military career saw him rise through the ranks, serving in various capacities, including as the Director of Military Intelligence and Reconnaissance in 2010.
Political Involvement and Rise to Power
- In 2012, El-Sisi was appointed as the Minister of Defense by then-President Mohamed Morsi, a leader from the Muslim Brotherhood.
- He played a pivotal role in the 2013 Egyptian Coup which led to the ouster of Morsi. Following the coup, he became the head of the Supreme Council of the Armed Forces.
- In 2014, El-Sisi resigned from the military to run for the presidency. He won the election with 96.91% of the vote, amidst allegations of electoral manipulation and suppression of opposition.
Presidency
- His presidency has been marked by efforts to stabilize Egypt's economy, fight against Islamic terrorism, and extensive infrastructure development projects like the expansion of the Suez Canal.
- El-Sisi's administration has been criticized for human rights abuses, including the suppression of political dissent, media censorship, and the arrest of activists.
- In 2018, he was re-elected for a second term with over 97% of the vote, although the election was criticized by international observers for lacking genuine competition.
Foreign Relations
- Under El-Sisi's leadership, Egypt has strengthened its relations with several countries, notably Saudi Arabia and United Arab Emirates, receiving significant financial aid to support the Egyptian economy.
- His government has also worked on normalizing relations with Israel while maintaining a balance in relations with other regional powers like Turkey and Qatar, which have had more complicated dynamics due to political differences.
Controversies and Criticisms
- El-Sisi's rule has been marred by accusations of authoritarianism, with reports of torture, forced disappearances, and extrajudicial killings.
- The economic policies have led to public discontent over rising prices and living costs, despite infrastructure improvements.
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