Remembering 3 July 2013 roadmap that changed Egypt’s political future

CAIRO – 2 July 2023: 10 years ago, Abdel Fattah El-Sisi, then-defense minister of Egypt, announced the ousting of Mohamed Morsi, the Muslim Brotherhood-affiliated President, after a year in power, as per the calls of millions of protesters.

In a statement on the behalf of the Egyptian Armed Forces on 3 July 2013, Sisi announced a roadmap agreed upon “with some of the symbols of national and political forces as well as youth, without exclusion or segregation of anyone.”

Sisi read out loud the opening remarks of the Armed Forces’ statement, stressing that the army “could never turn a deaf ear or a blind eye to the movement and call of the masses of the Egyptian people.”

Egypt Today reminds its readers of the remarks of the roadmap announcement, which has changed Egypt’s political future and preceded Sisi’s candidacy for the presidency.

The announcement has concluded the 30 June 2013 Revolution, which Sisi has described as “the day when the great people of Egypt rose up, rebelling against those who wanted to take their homeland, rejecting injustice, sectarianism and tyranny.”

The 3 July announcement came as follows:

“The Armed Forces sensed - based on their insightful vision - that the people who call on them to support them do not call them to take power or to rule, but rather call them to carry out public service and necessary protection for the demands of their revolution.”

“That was the message the Armed Forces received from all metropolitans, cities and villages of Egypt.”

“The Armed Forces, in turn, have taken the message to heart and understood its purpose and necessity and approached the political scene, hoping, willing and committed to all the limits of duty, responsibility and honesty.”

“Over the past months, the Armed Forces have made strenuous efforts, directly and indirectly, to contain the internal situation and to carry out a national reconciliation between all political forces, including the Presidency since November 2012.”

“This started with calling for a national dialogue, to which all the national political forces responded, but was rejected by the Presidency at the last moment. The calls and initiatives then followed since then and to date.”

“The Armed Forces have more than once presented a strategic position estimate on the internal and external levels, which included the most serious challenges and risks facing the country on the security, economic, political and social levels and the vision of the Armed Forces as a national institution to contain the reasons of the social division, remove the causes of congestion and stand up to the challenges and risks to get out of the current crisis.”

“In the context of following up on the current crisis, the General Command of the Armed Forces met with the President of the Republic at Al-Qubba Palace on 22 June 2013, where it presented the opinion of the General Command and its refusal to offend the national and religious institutions of the state.”

“It also affirmed its refusal to intimidate and threaten the masses of the Egyptian people.”

“The hope was pinned on a national accord that lays down a map for the future, and provides reasons for confidence, reassurance and stability for this people in order to achieve their ambition and hope.”

“However, the President’s speech last night, before the end of the 48-hour deadline, did not meet and correspond with the demands of the masses of the people.”

“The Armed Forces, based on their national and historical responsibility, consulted with some of the symbols of the national and political forces and youth, without excluding anyone.”

“The participants agreed on a map of the future, which includes initial steps for building a strong and coherent Egyptian society which does not exclude anyone of its sons and currents and puts an end to the state of conflict and division.”

This map includes the following:

- Temporarily suspending the constitution.

- The President of the Supreme Constitutional Court takes the oath before the General Assembly of the Court.

- Holding early presidential elections, provided that the President of the Supreme Constitutional Court runs the country's affairs during the transitional period until a new president is elected.

- The President of the Supreme Constitutional Court has the authority to issue constitutional declarations during the transitional period.

- Forming a government of strong and capable national competencies that enjoys all powers to manage the current stage.

- Forming a committee that includes all segments and expertise to review the proposed amendments to the constitution, which has been temporarily suspended.

- Appealing to the Supreme Constitutional Court to quickly approve the House of Representatives’ election bill and start preparations for the parliamentary elections.

- Establishing a media code of honor that guarantees media freedom, achieves professional rules, credibility, impartiality, and upholding the supreme interest of the nation.

- Taking executive measures to empower and integrate youth into state institutions to be partners in decision-making as assistants to ministers and governors and in various executive authority positions.

- The formation of a higher committee for national reconciliation, which comprises credible figures accepted by all national elites and represents different trends.

“The Armed Forces urge the great Egyptian people to adhere to peaceful demonstrations and avoid violence, which leads to more congestion and the shedding of innocent blood.”

“Out of their national and historical responsibility, the Armed Forces also warn that they will, in cooperation with the men and the Ministry of the Interior, stand with all strength and resolve, in accordance with the law, against any departure from peacefulness.”

“The Armed Forces also pay tribute and appreciation to the honorable and loyal men of the Armed Forces, police and judiciary for their great patriotic role and their continuous sacrifices to preserve the safety and security of Egypt and its great people.”

“May God protect Egypt and its proud and great people...”

“May Allah's Peace and Blessings be upon you”