Abdel Fatah al-Sisi: New President For Egypt
Abdel Fatah al-Sisi: New President For Egypt
The election of Egyptian ex-army chief Abdel Fatah al-Sisi as the president of this economically troubled nation has been hailed by Saudi Arabia's King Abdullah as a “historic day”. Saudi Arabia is a strong ally of Egypt. Sisi's victory with a margin of 96.9% if being viewed by the Saudi King as setting the “new stage for Egypt”. He has also invited all to a donors conference to help Egypt to overcome its economic crisis.
This bodes well for Egypt which has been marred by many disturbances in the past few years. Former Egyptian army chief Abdel-Fatah al-Sisi won by a landslide margin following the country's presidential vote. The election commission of Egypt indicated that Sisi had secured 96.91% of the vote.
The election was had a turnout of about 47% of the 54 million voters in Egypt. This is less than 40 million votes or 80% of the electorate which Sisi had urged for. He toppled President Mohamed Mursi of the Muslin Brotherhood last year. This gave Sisi widespread support among Egyptians. Sisi now faces his own set of challenges. Street demonstrations and protests have toppled 2 leaders in the past 3 years in this nation.
The lower-than-expected turnout is also a source of concern for the new President. The question arises as to what extent he will be able to remain relevant and popular among the voters while he tried to battle poverty and prevent economic or political crises in this troubled nation.
Sisi's supporters gathered at Cairo's Tahrir square. This was also the venue of the uprising which led to the ouster of Hosni Maubarak in 2011. Egyptian presidents have always been facing major issues after coming to power. Gamal Abdel Nassar fought off rivals to the political throne. Anwar al-Sadat had to cope with conspirators and take on a purging campaign before governance could be restored. Hosni Mubarak himself was accused of using conspiracies to land the president's post.
The path to power is a difficult one beset with dangers. Political assassinations and coups are nothing new in today's world. Democracy is alive, but so are political intrigues and scandals. The two are almost inseparable given the corrupting nature of power.
Sisi now faces a country on the brink of a collapse. Egypt is also beset with terrorism and militancy. From maintaining security to providing livelihood and job opportunities for the Egyptian youth, Sisi has to start from the scratch. Egypt must make optimal efforts to sustain itself through tough times and prevent itself from succumbing to the horrors rampant in Syria. Exceptional governance is needed because the country is reeling from successive economic crises.
What Egypt needs right now is not promises but action. With help from wealthier allies like Saudi Arabia, Egypt may well be on the road to economic recovery. But Sisi should not rest easy till he has restored order, peace and prosperity to Egypt. Only then can this nation see a brighter future.
