At a graduation ceremony at the Egyptian Military Academy in the New Administrative Capital, President Abdel Fattah al-Sisi said his presidency would end in 2030. Sisi, 71, said the date was “a matter that has been completely settled and will not be discussed”.
He also said Egypt’s constitution would not be amended, ruling out a change that could allow him to remain in office beyond his current term.
Sisi is serving a six-year term after his re-election in December 2023. The term is due to expire in 2030.
He paired that pledge with a plan to use the country’s main military academy to train potential future leaders during the 30 months before 2030.
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A committee overseen by the speaker of parliament would set the criteria for candidates and prepare legislation for the programme. It would include intellectuals, politicians, and the ministers of higher education and justice.
The scheme would be aimed at PhD holders from reputable Egyptian and foreign universities. They would spend 30 months at the academy learning about the state, its resources and how to preserve them.
Sisi said those who completed the programme would be prepared for posts ranging from the presidency to ministries, governorates and parliament.
The constitutional position has changed during Sisi’s presidency. The original 2014 constitution limited presidents to two four-year terms.
Amendments approved in a 2019 referendum extended presidential terms from four to six years and allowed Sisi to seek a third term.
Sisi became president in 2014, a year after toppling Mohamed Morsi of the Muslim Brotherhood following mass protests. He had resigned as defence minister that year to enter the presidential contest, which he won.
During his 12 years in power, Sisi has overseen an ambitious state-led development programme centred on megaprojects. His announcement sets out both an end date for his current term and a proposed route for preparing people for senior state roles.
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