Egypt’s President al-Sissi sworn in for third term
Egyptian President Abdel Fattah al-Sissi was inaugurated for a third term on Tuesday in a ceremony held at the new administrative capital east of Cairo, before parliament.
Mr. Al-Sissi, who has held office since 2014, secured another six years in power after winning approximately 90 per cent of the vote in a December election.
The election was overshadowed by the conflict in Gaza and a severe domestic economic crisis.
In a televised address to parliament, Mr. al-Sissi acknowledged the unprecedented challenges Egypt has faced in recent years, describing them as unmatched in the nation's modern history. These challenges included internal destabilization attempts, global crises, and intense international and regional conflicts.
He pledged to continue implementing reforms and emphasized the importance of "protecting Egypt’s national security amidst a turbulent regional and international environment."
The new administrative capital, launched in 2015, represents a flagship construction project among several mega-projects spearheaded by Mr. al-Sissi. Critics have attributed these projects to the economic crisis that has affected Egypt over the past two years.
In 2013, al-Sissi, then a general, led the army to depose Mohammed Morsi, Egypt’s democratically elected but polarizing Islamist president. Supporters of al-Sissi view him as a stabilizing force amid regional upheavals, while critics hold him accountable for economic woes and restrictions on freedom.
During his tenure, thousands of secular activists and Islamists have been detained or forced into exile, with loyalists largely controlling the media landscape.
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