Egyptian President Abdel Fattah al-Sisi has declared that he will leave office when his current presidential term expires in 2030, ruling out speculation about extending his stay in power.
Sisi made the announcement on Saturday while addressing graduates and state officials in the new administrative city east of Cairo, describing his departure at the end of his term as a settled matter.
He also insisted that the Egyptian Constitution would not be amended to enable him to remain in office beyond the stipulated period.
“The period leading up to 2030 will be the end of my term as president of the state, if I am still alive. This is completely settled and there will be no discussion about it,” he said.
The Egyptian leader added that the period before 2030 would be used to prepare a new generation of leaders to take responsibility for the country’s future.
The 71-year-old former military general assumed office in 2014 under constitutional provisions that initially limited presidents to two four-year terms.
However, a constitutional amendment approved in a referendum subsequently extended presidential terms to six years and introduced transitional provisions that enabled Sisi to seek another term.
Despite the changes, critics and opposition figures have repeatedly raised concerns that further constitutional amendments could be pursued to allow him to remain in power beyond 2030.
Sisi’s latest declaration appears aimed at addressing those concerns and clarifying his position on the end of his presidency.
During his 12 years in office, he has overseen an ambitious state-led development programme featuring major infrastructure projects, including the construction of a new administrative capital.
However, critics have questioned the economic sustainability of the projects, arguing that heavy borrowing has contributed to Egypt’s mounting debt burden.
Human rights organisations have also accused his administration of suppressing political opposition, restricting civil society and curtailing freedom of expression.
The Egyptian government has defended its policies, maintaining that its approach is necessary to preserve national stability and security.
Sisi’s pledge to leave office in 2030 now places the question of political succession on Egypt’s longer-term agenda, although the country’s next leadership transition remains several years away.
