Sisi warns that repeat of 2011 scenario threatens Egypt’s stability

President Abdel Fattah al-Sisi cautioned that resurrecting unrest akin to the 2011 turmoil could jeopardize Egypt's stability and resilience. He disclosed that combating terrorism over the past 14 years had incurred costs surpassing LE120 billion, alongside the sacrifices made by the nation's martyrs and injured residents. Safeguarding the state as a top priority During the 44th Armed Forces Educational Symposium, themed "Nation of Heroes," held on the eve of the 53rd anniversary of the October Victory, Sisi underscored that safeguarding the nation and preserving its institutions is a national priority.

He pointed out that Egypt had waged a strenuous battle against terrorism, culminating in security and stability, but ongoing endeavors to undermine national awareness and manipulate the nation's collective memory persist as the most significant current challenges. Spreading misinformation and targeting public opinion Sisi elaborated that rumors and deliberate efforts observed in recent months to mislead awareness and incite public opinion are part of strategies aimed at destabilizing the country and inciting internal strife within the Egyptian state.

He stressed that combating such attempts is not solely the responsibility of state agencies but rather a collective national duty necessitating joint efforts from both the state and society, including raising awareness, clarifying facts to the public, and having everyone fulfill their responsibilities in their respective capacities.

"Fortify your country against this conspiracy" Sisi noted that attempts to sway citizen awareness and distort facts persist. He cautioned against campaigns seeking to undermine national memory and weaken citizens' resolve, which affects their ability to comprehend facts and distinguish right from wrong. He affirmed that national memory stands as any nation's initial defense, and tampering with or misrepresenting it endangers the future and stability of nations.

He urged Egyptians of all ages and social strata to remain steadfast in their commitment to their country and fortify it against targeting and conspiracy attempts. The president declared: "Fortify your country against this conspiracy... I am not saying fortify the president." Economic challenges versus national survival Addressing the critical junctures Egypt experienced between 2011 and 2013, the president noted that God preserved the nation during those trying times and bestowed its people with a fresh chance to protect the state and restore its trajectory.

He warned that repeating unrest reminiscent of what the country endured in 2011 could threaten the state's stability and survival. The president emphasized that economic hurdles can be surmounted, and the paramount focus must remain on preserving the state and securing its existence, recognizing that challenges are an inherent aspect of any nation's developmental journey.

Recalling 2013 and the war on terror Sisi reflected on the events of 2013, describing how the Egyptian public regarded him as a hero at the time, recalling the challenges the nation faced during that period and the subsequent war on terrorism alongside the sacrifices made by the nation's sons. He concluded his remarks by stressing the importance of bolstering public awareness and highlighting the dangers of attempts to undermine states from within, reiterating that safeguarding the state and ensuring its continuity is a shared responsibility that demands citizen awareness and the combined efforts of state institutions and society.