Sisi Unveils Plan to Train Future Presidential Candidates at Military Academy

Egyptian President Abdel Fattah al-Sisi has proposed a comprehensive 30-month training program at the Egyptian Military Academy aimed at preparing and qualifying potential future presidential candidates. This initiative specifically targets individuals holding doctoral degrees from esteemed Egyptian or foreign universities.

During a graduation ceremony for new cohorts from the military colleges and the Egyptian Military Academy on Saturday, President Sisi announced that the program would be open to individuals aged 40-50 who meet the legal prerequisites for presidential candidacy. The Egyptian Military Academy will be responsible for the preparation and qualification process, ensuring participants gain a deep understanding of the Egyptian state, its governance mechanisms, and methods for its preservation. Sky News Arabia reported on Saturday that the Academy will cover all program expenses, irrespective of the cost.

President Sisi discussed the potential to train groups of 200, 300, or 500 individuals, thereby creating a pool of qualified candidates for citizens to choose from for the presidency. He urged the Speaker of Parliament to lead the development of a legislative framework for this proposal. This framework would be crafted in collaboration with a select group of trusted thinkers and politicians, and with the involvement of the Ministries of Higher Education and Justice, with the ultimate aim of enacting a law to govern the election of those who meet the established criteria.

The president stressed that the program's core objective is to cultivate leaders capable of undertaking governance responsibilities, comprehending the demands of state administration, and protecting the nation's institutions. He declared, “No person with malicious intent, no criminal, and no traitor shall ever govern Egypt after me,” emphasizing the critical importance of safeguarding the Egyptian state and its future.

Details concerning the selection process for program participants and how this proposed qualification aligns with current constitutional and legal requirements for presidential candidacy remain unspecified. This proposal comes at a time when the Egyptian Constitution outlines specific criteria for presidential aspirants, including a minimum age of 40 and the necessity of securing parliamentary or public endorsement, as stipulated by law.