President Sisi: Strong Institutions and Public Trust Key to Egypt's Security

President Abdel Fattah al-Sisi emphasized on Wednesday, October 21, 2026, that maintaining robust state institutions and fostering public confidence in them are paramount to safeguarding Egypt against destabilization efforts. During a session titled “National and Citizen Security” at the Egypt Forum 2026, Sisi highlighted the critical need for enhanced communication between state bodies and citizens to disseminate accurate information and preserve national unity.

He further stated that Arab national security is a unified concept, with the stability of Gulf states being intrinsically linked to Egypt’s own national security. The session also covered advancements in the security system, crisis management, and responses to regional and international challenges. Attendees included Prime Minister Mostafa Madbouly, Minister of Defense and Military Production Ashraf Salem Zaher, Interior Minister Mahmoud Tawfiq, Minister of Foreign Affairs, International Cooperation and Egyptian Expatriates Badr Abdelatty, and Mohamed Abdelrahman Rabie, head of the Armed Forces Operations Authority and the National Authority for Crisis and Emergency Management.

President Sisi noted that the Interior Ministry has implemented a comprehensive strategy to modernize security operations, adapting to evolving criminal methods. This strategy is built upon five core principles: upgrading police infrastructure with modern technology, employing artificial intelligence and early detection for crime pattern analysis, investing in personnel development, increasing public awareness initiatives, and reforming correctional policies for offenders.

He underscored the importance of strengthening state institutions to prevent state collapse, referencing the events of 2011 as a cautionary example. Sisi identified the Armed Forces and the Interior Ministry as the cornerstones of national security, acknowledging ongoing attempts to discredit the police force. He asserted that the Interior Ministry bears the responsibility to proactively improve and maintain public perception of its work. The President urged both the Armed Forces and the Interior Ministry to develop more initiatives for regular public engagement and information dissemination to bolster public trust and prevent a disconnect between the populace and state institutions.

Recalling the events of 2011, Sisi called for the public memory of that period to remain vivid to avert a recurrence. He cited specific incidents such as attacks on security forces, the breaching of police stations and prisons, and the escape of a significant number of inmates, emphasizing their severe repercussions. He also pointed out that efforts to undermine the police and Armed Forces aimed to erode confidence in their capabilities, arguing that a state with strong, trusted institutions is resilient against collapse.

Regarding correctional facilities, Sisi stated that their development and modernization are guided by ethical, religious, and humanitarian principles, focusing on rehabilitation and societal reintegration rather than solely punishment. He encouraged visits to these centers to highlight the ongoing work. He also mentioned that the extensive damage to detention facilities prior to 2011 necessitated a reevaluation of these centers within the broader security framework, urging the defense and interior ministries to continue their communication enhancement efforts with the public.

Sisi also recognized the National Authority for Crisis and Emergency Management as a crucial support entity for the state and government in managing national crises. Its data and capabilities serve as an additional resource for state agencies, contributing to improved governmental performance and effectiveness.

In terms of foreign policy, Sisi reiterated Egypt’s guiding principles since 2014, which include non-interference in other nations' internal affairs, rejection of conspiracies against states, preservation of national unity and institutions, refusal to engage with armed militias, support for reconstruction, and the maintenance of balanced international relations. He stressed the importance of strategic equilibrium and advised against making state decisions under public pressure.

Concluding his remarks, Sisi called for sustained efforts to fortify Egypt and cultivate resilient public opinion, warning of various risks beyond the Ethiopian dam issue. He reiterated that Arab national security is indivisible and that the stability of Gulf states is of direct importance to Egypt. He advocated for the restoration of stability across Arab nations, including Sudan, Libya, and Somalia, viewing Egypt’s support for Gulf states as an extension of shared Arab security. Sisi clarified that Egypt’s military actions are defensive, aimed at protecting Saudi territory and borders, not offensive operations in Yemen. He affirmed Egypt's commitment to defend Saudi Arabia or any other Arab country if requested, ensuring that Egyptian military operations would remain within the borders of Egypt or the allied Arab state being protected.