Abdel Fattah el-Sisi
Who was Abdel Fattah el-Sisi?
Former military general who became Egypt's president in 2014 after leading the coup that removed Mohamed Morsi from power.
Biographical data adapted from Wikipedia’s article on Abdel Fattah el-Sisi (CC BY-SA 4.0).
Biography
Abdel Fattah Saeed Hussein Khalil el-Sisi was born on November 19, 1954, in Cairo, Egypt. He pursued a military career, graduating from the Egyptian Military College and later attending the United States Army War College to further his military education. El-Sisi married Entissar Amer and gradually advanced in the Egyptian Armed Forces over many years of service.
Following the 2011 Egyptian revolution that removed longtime president Hosni Mubarak, el-Sisi's career took a significant turn. When Mohamed Morsi, Egypt's first democratically elected president, took office in 2012, he appointed el-Sisi as Minister of Defense and Commander-in-Chief of the Egyptian Armed Forces in August 2012, replacing Hussein Tantawi. This put el-Sisi at the center of Egypt's unstable political transition.
As public dissatisfaction with Morsi's presidency increased and massive protests erupted across Egypt in 2013, el-Sisi became a key political figure. On July 3, 2013, he led a military coup that removed Morsi from power, effectively ending Egypt's brief democratic experiment. The aftermath of the coup saw violent confrontations between security forces and supporters of the Muslim Brotherhood who organized sit-ins and demonstrations. Under el-Sisi's command, Egyptian forces violently dispersed protest camps at al-Nahda Square and Rabaa al-Adawiya Square, resulting in what Human Rights Watch called crimes against humanity, with about 3,000 civilians killed and nearly 19,000 arrested.
El-Sisi won the 2014 presidential election and was sworn into office in June 2014 as Egypt's sixth president. His elections in 2018 and 2023 were marked by minimal opposition, as potential rivals were either barred from running or boycotted the elections due to government repression. International observers and human rights organizations widely regard el-Sisi as an authoritarian leader who maintains control through military and security forces, with many describing his rule as more restrictive than that of former dictator Hosni Mubarak. His presidency has been marked by extensive crackdowns on dissent, media restrictions, and the suppression of civil society organizations.
Before Fame
El-Sisi grew up in Cairo during the time of Gamal Abdel Nasser and Anwar Sadat when the military had a big influence in Egyptian politics and society. Choosing a military career was a traditional way to gain power and prestige in Egypt, where the armed forces had been the main political force since the 1952 revolution.
His military education in Egypt and the United States gave him the training and international exposure that later helped him rise in the ranks. He spent decades moving up the military ladder while Egypt faced various regional conflicts and internal security issues. This gave him a lot of experience in military operations and strategic planning, making him a natural choice for senior defense roles during Egypt's period after the revolution.
Key Achievements
- Led the 2013 military coup that removed Egypt's first democratically elected president Mohamed Morsi
- Served as Egypt's sixth president since 2014, winning three consecutive presidential elections
- Rose to become Minister of Defense and Commander-in-Chief of Egyptian Armed Forces in 2012
- Established authoritarian control over Egypt following years of political instability after the 2011 revolution
- Received multiple international military and civilian honors from various countries
Did You Know?
- 01.El-Sisi has received numerous international honors including the Order of the Nile, King Abdulaziz Medal from Saudi Arabia, and the Grand Collar of the Order of Prince Henry from Portugal
- 02.He was awarded the Kuwait Liberation Medal twice, reflecting his military service during regional conflicts
- 03.In 2024, Egyptian citizens organized an online 'Dignity Revolution' campaign against his government, leading to widespread protests and subsequent government crackdowns
- 04.His wife Entissar Amer largely stays out of the public eye, maintaining a low profile compared to spouses of other Middle Eastern leaders
- 05.El-Sisi received military training at the prestigious United States Army War College, an experience shared by many international military leaders
Family & Personal Life
Awards & Honors
| Award | Year | Details |
|---|---|---|
| Order of the Nile | — | — |
| King Abdulaziz Medal | — | — |
| Kuwait Liberation Medal | — | — |
| Kuwait Liberation Medal | — | — |
| Grand Collar of the Order of Prince Henry | — | — |
| Order of the Friendship of Peoples | 2019 | — |
| Grand Cross of the National Order of Merit (Guinea) | 2019 | — |
| Order of the Republic | — | — |
| Order of Merit | — | — |
| Order of the Virtues | — | — |
| Order of Prince Henry | — | — |
| Order of Mubarak the Great | — | — |
| National Order of Merit | — | — |
| Order of Makarios III | — | — |
| National Order of the Ivory Coast | — | — |
| National Order of Merit | — | — |
| Grand Cross of the Legion of Honour | 2020 | — |
| Order of the Star of Sinai | — | — |
| Collar of Honor | — | — |
| Order of King Abdulaziz al Saud | — | — |
| Order of Al-Khalifa | — | — |
| Order of the Republic of Serbia | — | — |
| Civil Order of Oman | — | — |
| Knight of the Order of the Elephant | 2024 | — |