Sisi: 2011-2013 instability depleted Egyptian state; Nations need security to advance

CAIRO – 30 September 2023: President Abdel Fattah El-Sisi stressed on Saturday that nations cannot move forward without security and stability as he addressed Egyptians on the first day of the Story of Homeland conference.

“A nation cannot move forward without stability and security … Whoever says otherwise is either ignorant or foolish,” Sisi stated during the conference.

The president highlighted the period of turbulence and instability between the 25th of January Revolution 2011 and the 30th of June Revolution 2013, saying it “depleted” the state.

In this period, the state suffered huge losses amounting to $450 billion, Sisi said.

As Prime Minister Mostafa Madbouly gave a detailed presentation about Egypt’s achievements over the past decade, Sisi said Egypt faced huge challenges that were huge enough to eliminate countries.

The president said that the state worked on developmental programs in parallel to efforts to eliminate terrorism and rumors over the past decade, stressing that nations are only built by reform not by doubt

The president highlighted the state’s construction of the new Suez Canal as one of the achievements made amid the country’s war against terrorism, slander and attempts to spread skepticism among people.

“At the time we were digging the new Suez Canal branch, we were fighting terrorism, lies, rumors and offenses that targeted officials and their families,” Sisi said.

‘Opportunity for change’

Citizens have the opportunity for change in the upcoming presidential elections, Sisi said during the conference, Sisi said in the conference only two months ahead of elections, slated for December.

“This is what we have achieved and you have an opportunity for change in the coming elections,” Sisi said.

Sisi has not officially announced plans to run for reelection to date. However, tens of political parties and unions have announced support to his potential candidacy, including the parliamentary majority party Mostaqbal Watan.

Egyptians will cast their votes in the 2024 Presidential Elections on 10-12 December 2023 locally, while eligible voters living abroad will vote on 1-3 December.

Several leading figures from renowned political parties have announced plans to run for elections, including Abdel-Sanad Yamama, head of El-Wafd Party and Hazem Omar, head of the People’s Republican Party.

Hazem Omar has resigned from the Senate to run for president.

Also, Head of the opposition Egyptian Social Democratic Party Farid Zahran and Head of Egypt’s liberal Constitution Party (Al-Dostour) Gameela Ismail announced readiness to run in the elections.

Presidential candidates will submit their nominations in the 10-day period starting 5 October and names of the final candidates and their electoral symbols will be officially announced on 9 November.

Check the full timetable of the 2024 Presidential Elections from here.