First of all, I disagree with the people who occasionally, and with good intentions, say “Egypt will not fall.” The word “fall” doesn’t even exist in the dictionary that I use when dealing with the great Egyptian state. In this sense, I always wonder, how can a country that is preserved by God and mentioned in His Holy Book fall? How can the oldest country known in history fall? How can a millennial country fall? And how can a country that God honored with this great people fall? How can a state ruled by a dedicated, patriotic political leader who cares about its development fall? How can a state blessed with a patriotic army that protects its national security from any threat ever fall?
At the same time, I am trying from time to time to transparently and credibly conduct a review of Egypt’s domestic and foreign movements, which I would call an account of the achievements of the state; what has been achieved, and what will be achieved. That is because I am an Egyptian citizen who cares a lot about the affairs of his country and who has always witnessed Egypt assume the high place it deserves among the countries of the world. This expected place is its destiny, which one day must be reached no matter how unpaved the path may be.
When assessing the course of various Egyptian policies, I use the term “Egyptian compass”. I may not preempt events if I confirm that the trends of this compass indicate that Egypt is on the right track. The rapid and unprecedented progress at the domestic level, as well as the positive policies at the external level, confirm the validity and integrity of this course of action. There is no doubt that the peak of this achievement is represented in all the successes that have been achieved that come at a time when Egypt faces many difficulties and risks, but it is moving and believes in its ability to overcome these difficulties.
Pillars of domestic policy
It is necessary to shed light on the pillars of the current domestic policy, which is based on the key principle of intensive work to rebuild the Egyptian state on modern foundations by:
- Starting the work of the parliamentary institutions (House of Representatives and Senate) in support of the state’s needs and interests. Expectations are placed on the important role played by these national institutions to uphold the nation and the citizen, as well as to activate democratic life.
- Developing and implementing an integrated plan for mega national projects in all key sectors and providing them with the necessary budget, such as the New Administrative Capital, construction of new cities in the majority of governorates, road networks, electricity, infrastructure, digital transformation, cultivation of hundreds of thousands of feddans, fish farming, boosting various industries and projects, and railway development and modernization of the communications sector.
- Improving all matters related to the life and dignity of Egyptian citizens, their standard of living, and aspects of their social life, such as 100 Million Healthy Lives initiative, elimination of Hepatitis C Virus initiative, providing the necessary means to respond to Covid-19 and start providing millions of vaccines, A Decent Life initiative, building new neighborhoods of Al-Asmarat instead of slums, the construction of numerous hospitals and medical centers in several governorates, the unprecedented mega countryside development project, and addressing the social impact of the economic reform program.
- Supporting the Egyptian Armed Forces to be able to maintain Egyptian national security and carry out any internal and external tasks, based on two main principles. The first is to modernize the armaments process to include the most sophisticated weapons in the world, and the second is to diversify the sources of weapons so as not to rely on a single source.
- Continuing the economic reform process led to the recovery of the Egyptian economy despite the Covid-19 repercussions, which affected the world’s major economies. The positive results of this economic policy have undoubtedly led to the recognition, by the most important international institutions, of the recent achievements of the Egyptian economy, like economic growth, lower inflation rates, higher cash reserves, and lower unemployment rates.
- Preparing Egyptian youth to be able to bear responsibility in the various sectors of the state and to start holding executive and parliamentary positions. This is an effective translation of the statement and conviction of the president that young people are the mainstay of the nation.
Pillars of regional policy
At the regional level, there are many grounds for Egyptian movements, the essence of which are measured by positive engagement in regional issues, which can be explained as follows:
- Playing a positive role in the Libyan crisis based on dealing with all the spectrum of Libyan society without any exceptions, and presenting a comprehensive vision for resolving this crisis. This is elaborated through a Libyan-Libyan vision that helped to set in motion the political path that led to the formation of new executive authority in preparation for the holding of Libyan elections on 24 December 2021.
- Intensifying action to arrange the Palestinian House and hosting dialogues leading to a Palestinian legislative, presidential, and National Council elections from May to August. This will help in preparing for the next phase, which could witness the resumption of Israeli-Palestinian negotiations leading to the implementation of the principle of a two-state solution.
- Keeping the door open for the resumption of negotiations concerning the Grand Ethiopian Renaissance Dam, in hope that it will succeed in reaching a just and binding agreement in the interests of the three parties, despite all the obstacles rose to date by the Ethiopian side. Egypt continues to offer the opportunity for any new mediation efforts, both at the African and international levels. In any event, the principle to which the political leadership is committed is that Egypt will never abandon its water rights, and we hope to achieve that through negotiations.
- Transforming the East Mediterranean Gas Forum into a regional organization, and use it as a starting point for regional and international cooperation in this area. This in turn will lead to Egypt becoming a regional energy hub, which will ultimately support Egypt’s economic and political position.
- Building strategic alliances that increase the power of the Egyptian state at all levels in the face of any coalitions or projects with certain objectives. In this regard, we could refer to the distinct Egyptian relations and the repeated summit meetings of the political leadership with the leaders of Iraq and Jordan, on one hand, and with the presidents of Greece and Cyprus, on the other.
- Boosting relations with the Gulf, and rationally implement the agreement signed at Al-Ola city in Saudi Arabia on 5 January 2021 to end the Gulf crisis to serve Egypt’ interests.
Pillars of international policy
At the international level, with Egypt’s status, people, and leadership, the country has a special place at the international level and a balanced policy with all countries. Egyptian relations with the United States will be particularly important in the coming period, given the new democratic US administration; here I refer to the following:
Egypt is well placed to formulate its relationship with the new US administration in a manner that is in the interests of the two states, both of which are keen to maintain and develop this relationship. Certainly, the bilateral relationship has been positive for most of the time, even with the few phases that have witnessed some negative aspects – which is considered normal in international relations. It has been contained under the umbrella of the two-state relationship strategy.
Egypt can successfully address any differences in some bilateral issues with Washington, including that has been raised by President Biden’s administration concerning human rights, taking into account that Egypt has successfully dealt with many democratic administrations. In all cases, Egypt has not, and will not, accept any interference in its internal affairs, nor does it interfere in the internal affairs of any country.
The Biden administration’s approval of the recent missile deal to Egypt is a step that must be considered in the context of the assessment of bilateral relations with Washington. It is certainly in favor of Egypt and its status, and the nature of the relationship with Washington during the next phase. The US Department of State emphasized that this deal promotes US foreign policy and national security because Egypt is an important strategic partner in the Middle East.
On the other hand, it would be important to emphasize the diversity and distinction of Egyptian relations with European and Asian countries, particularly with France, Germany, Britain, and Italy. Also Russia, China, India, and Pakistan, as well as Islamic and African countries, and regional and international organizations, all of which would give greater force to the Egyptian political and economic stance.
Requirements for the next phase
In light of the above, all these moves confirm that the Egyptian compass is pointing in the right direction and that the state is proceeding with calculated steps and on solid ground in all internal and external areas. This requires the following during the next phase:
- The state should continuously launch initiatives to advance development efforts in various areas where there have been qualitative advances, particularly in the light of the tireless, and sustained follow-up by President Abdel-Fattah Al-Sisi to ascertain the progress of work in various current projects and locations.
- The importance of maintaining people’s support for the political leadership that believes the public support is the key to the power of the state. President Abdel-Fattah Al-Sisi has repeatedly stressed that it is the Egyptian people who have made the economic reform program work and who bear its burden. The president is right. He has always emphasized the strength and unity of these great people, and that all the achievements that took place were in the interest of Egyptian citizens.
- The media should present the efforts and achievements of the political leadership that is working day and night in a way that directly connects to Egyptian public opinion at all levels in a clear and streamlined manner that is understood by the majority. I express my appreciation for the great efforts made by the Egyptian media in this regard.
- The continuation of Egypt’s engagement in regional issues, particularly those relating to Egyptian national security, on the basis that any gaps left by Egypt for any reasons are filled by certain parties that may have special agendas, which are contrary to Egyptian interests. There is no doubt that this engagement with the issues of the region gives Egypt greater strength and the ability to have its word and vision at the international level. Especially as the political leadership under President Abdel-Fattah Al-Sisi is respected and appreciated by the entire world.
