Egyptian President Abdel Fattah al-Sisi sworn in for third term

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Egypt’s President Abdel Fattah al-Sisi was sworn in Tuesday for his third term as leader of the Arab world’s most populous nation.

Issued on: 02/04/2024 – 12:57Modified: 02/04/2024 – 14:00

3 min

In power for the past decade, the 69-year-old former army chief is set to remain president until 2030.

Speaking before parliament, Sisi vowed to “remain faithful to my work, my eyes seeing only your interests and this country’s”.

As Egypt has battled a deep economic crisis with the help of billions in overseas loans and investments, he pledged “to realise the aspirations of the Egyptian nation to build a modern, democratic state”.

He won a December election with 89.6 percent of the vote against three relative unknowns, after opposition challengers were sidelined or jailed.

Read moreEgyptian President Abdel Fattah al-Sisi looks to extend iron-fisted rule after ten years in power

The six-year term is set to be his last, unless he again ushers through a constitutional amendment prolonging his tenure.

In his inauguration speech before parliament, Sisi said he “renews his vow to continue on the course to build the nation”.

The EU chief and five European leaders visited cash-strapped Egypt on March 17 to announce a 7.4-billion-euro financial package. © Stavros Ioannides, AFP

Then-defence minister Sisi rose to power on the back of mass protests against Islamist president Mohammed Morsi, who was deposed in 2013.

Sisi was elected president the following year and then again in 2018, both times with around 97 percent of the vote.

Pundits have speculated about an impending cabinet reshuffle, which the government has not yet announced.