Photo courtesy of The Spokesman for the Egyptian Presidency
President Abdel-Fattah El-Sisi visited the Egyptian Military Academy in the New Capital early Friday, where he performed Fajr prayer with students, observed the morning training lineup, and engaged in an interactive dialogue over breakfast.
During his speech, El-Sisi expressed deep admiration for the students, describing them as “the hope of Egypt” and emphasizing the vital importance of preparing both young men and women to bear the sacred responsibility of safeguarding the nation.
Regional diplomacy and Gaza
Addressing the situation in Gaza, President El-Sisi affirmed that the crisis could not have been resolved without the personal intervention of US President Donald Trump, whom he described as a global peacemaker. The president underscored the significance of the US president’s peace plan and reiterated his profound gratitude to Trump for his instrumental role in regional peace efforts.
He further highlighted the importance of the US announcement regarding the transition into the second phase of the Gaza ceasefire agreement, which followed the return of the body of the last Israeli captive.
President El-Sisi emphasized the urgent necessity to reconstruct the Gaza Strip and provide enhanced humanitarian aid to the Palestinian people after an arduous two-year period. He noted that while the world faces a tide of crises and changes, Egypt remains a vital part of this interconnected global context.
Human development and institutional reform
The president welcomed a new cohort of students entering military and civil courses, including personnel from the ministries of irrigation, finance, endowments, transport, and foreign affairs, alongside teachers and judges.
He noted that the academy’s core purpose is to implement a programme aimed at developing, modernizing, and reforming the state's institutions. El-Sisi stressed that the academy is founded on the principle that human development is the essence of societal progress, warning that stagnation leads to retreat.
He observed that God dynamically created existence; therefore, constant development and reform reflect the true vitality of the state.
El-Sisi described this approach as a form of self-critique meant to refine the nation's path rather than undermine its institutions. However, he warned that a lack of progress inevitably leads to backwardness, stressing the necessity of fulfilling the trust that God has placed in every responsible official.
While a family's duty is to provide for its children, building human capital—through values, education, and knowledge—requires focused work across the entire state.
To achieve these developmental goals, the president explained that the academy operates according to a strict framework designed to modernize the state's administrative apparatus:
- Merit-based selection: The academy establishes rigorous standards for recruitment that apply to all state institutions to ensure meritocracy and serve the public interest.
- Impartiality through technology: Selection and assessment processes are digitized to minimize human bias and prevent favoritism, ensuring graduates succeed on merit alone.
- Institutional impact: Participants are expected to transfer their acquired values to society and positively influence their institutions without exhibiting arrogance toward those who did not attend the programs.
He also announced plans to open four new colleges next year, covering engineering, software, medicine, and physical therapy, to establish a model of genuine educational merit. He specifically welcomed female students of the Civil Medical College, expressing delight at their progress and assuring families that their daughters are benefiting significantly.
Domestic stability and economic outlook
On domestic matters, President El-Sisi reassured the public that economic conditions are improving and investment opportunities are growing. Addressing inquiries regarding the timing of reform results, he emphasized the importance of continued, patient effort to strengthen Egypt’s foundations.
He highlighted that development is an ongoing process with each generation passing progress to the next. Finally, he assured the nation that domestic conditions remain stable and that essential goods remain available despite global crises, reinforcing that the country is constantly progressing.
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