President Abdel Fattah Al-Sisi said on Saturday that he would leave office in 2030, describing the end of his presidency as a “settled matter,” while announcing a proposed programme to prepare Egyptian PhD holders to assume senior responsibilities and potentially qualify to run for president.
Al-Sisi made the remarks during a graduation ceremony for new classes from Egypt’s military academy and colleges, days after saying the country’s Constitution “will not be touched”, in comments indicating that no constitutional changes would be pursued to extend his presidency beyond his current term.
“I will hand over Egypt’s leadership in 2030, if I live, with its flag raised and the country strong,” Al-Sisi said, adding that no one with “ulterior motives or who had betrayed the country would assume leadership.”
The Egyptian president asserted that his priority during the remaining period would be to strengthen state institutions and prepare national cadres capable of assuming responsibility.
The president explained that the proposed programme would identify PhD holders from Egyptian and foreign universities, aged between 40 and 50, and put them through 30 months of training at the military academy, which would cover the cost of the programme.
He said the speaker of parliament would oversee the process with the participation of selected political figures and intellectuals, as well as the ministries of Higher Education and Justice, with legislation to be drafted to regulate the initiative.
According to Al-Sisi’s proposal, participants would receive training on the workings of the state before being considered for selection and election.
The remarks did not specify how many people would be admitted to the programme or provide detailed eligibility criteria beyond age and academic qualifications. They also did not explain how the proposed process would interact with existing constitutional and legal rules governing presidential candidacy.
Al-Sisi said his remaining time in office would focus on strengthening state institutions and preparing a new generation of officials, adding that his duty was to preserve the state and hand it over “with its flag raised”.
In a separate part of his speech, Al-Sisi said Egypt was prepared to take any action requested by Saudi Arabia to defend the kingdom’s security and sovereignty.
He said parliament could be called into an emergency session to authorise such action if Riyadh made a request.
“We will take any action to defend our brothers in the Gulf,” Al-Sisi said, adding that Egypt would stand firmly with Gulf states against threats to their territory or security.
His remarks came amid heightened regional tensions and recent attacks targeting Saudi Arabia, while Cairo has repeatedly said that the security of Gulf states is closely linked to Egyptian national security.