EGYPT: Egyptian campaign calls on Abdel Fattah al-Sisi to run for office

Record ID: 346881

  • Title: EGYPT: Egyptian campaign calls on Abdel Fattah al-Sisi to run for office
  • Date: 9th January 2014
  • Summary: CAIRO, EGYPT (JANUARY 8, 2014) (REUTERS) VARIOUS OF BILLBOARD SHOWING EGYPTIAN ARMY CHIEF GENERAL ABDEL FATTAH AL-SISI CAIRO, EGYPT (JANUARY 9, 2014) (REUTERS) EXTERIOR OF CAIRO INTERNATIONAL CONFERENCE CENTER BANNER SHOWING IN SISI AND READING (Arabic): 'BY THE ORDER OF THE PEOPLE' CAMPAIGN MEMBERS ENTERING CONFERENCE CENTER THROUGH METAL DETECTOR (SOUNDBITE) (Arabic)
  • Embargoed: 24th January 2014 12:00
  • Keywords:
  • Location: Egypt
  • Country: Egypt
  • Topics: Politics
  • Reuters ID: LVA8W8ZXEST0ZKH3MX168KFX68V6
  • Story Text: Supporters of army chief General Abdel Fattah al-Sisi launched a campaign on Thursday (January 9), urging him to run in Egypt's upcoming presidential elections.
    With no other obvious candidates for the post, the general who deposed Islamist President Mohamed Mursi in July has kept Egyptians guessing about his intentions as the clock ticks down to the presidential vote that could happen as soon as April.
    Sisi's candidacy would further deepen divisions between the many Egyptians who believe a firm hand is needed to steer the country through crisis and Islamists bearing the brunt of a state crackdown on dissent.
    At a news conference in Cairo, Secretary General of the campaign, Jihan Madeeh said that Sisi has the qualities needed to be a good leader.
    "We want the country to have a leader because it is no longer working without one, or without a leader that the people can follow. We cannot keep following people who do not have the qualities to lead. We need someone we can be proud of to show the rest the world. Everyone is aware of the status of our economy and, with regards to security, there are both local and international threats towards us and we need a strong person to rule the country, a person that everyone will agree to have, and I do not believe there can be a consensus over any person as much as General Abdel Fattah al-Sisi," she said.
    The campaign was launched five months ago by a group of youth in Alexandria who approached the current representatives in Cairo for guidance.
    It quickly gained in popularity as Sisi's supporters see him as the kind of strong man needed to bring stability after three years of turmoil.
    His face has appeared on posters and chocolates, he has been lionised by the media and songs have been dedicated to him and the army.
    "This is a man who has proved his loyalty to his people through all the skills he possesses. For example, his ability to withstand blows, as well as his ability to withstand foreign threats. In this past period alone, Egypt faced many threats from the United States, Europe, Israel and Turkey, and now new threats have begun to surface from Sudan and Iran. The roles have begun to shift so that Egypt remains a target. This is why we must elect a man with the skills to be able to confront this. And if you look at Egypt's public opinion, you'll find that Egyptians are smart enough to evaluate which candidates to vote for," said Hamdy Bakheet, general coordinator of the campaign.
    In public statements, the army has said nothing on Sisi's intentions - the major outstanding question of the political transition set in train after the military deposed Mursi following mass protests against his rule on June 30.
    There is little doubt Sisi would win the election, turning the clock back to the days when the presidency was controlled by men from the military - a pattern interrupted by Mursi's 2012 win and one year in office.
    Though Sisi enjoys broad support among those Egyptians happy to see the end of Mursi's rule, he is reviled by his Islamist opponents, who view him as the mastermind of a bloody military coup against the country's first freely elected head of state.
    The army-backed government has mounted a crackdown on Mursi's Muslim Brotherhood, driving it underground and prompting fears of longer term instability. Prominent secular dissidents have also been arrested in a blow to political freedoms.
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