Egypt's Sisi pledges to leave office when term ends in 2030

Egyptian President Abdel Fattah al-Sisi announced on Saturday that he will step down from power when his current term concludes in 2030, stating that the matter is "completely settled." The 71-year-old former army general took office in 2014 and made the announcement at a graduation ceremony at the Egyptian Military Academy, one of his signature megaprojects.

Speaking to graduates and state officials in the new city east of Cairo, Sisi affirmed that the Egyptian constitution would remain unchanged, and his term as president would conclude at the end of his current term if he is still alive. Sisi emphasized that there will be no discussion or debate about his future role, stating that the period leading up to 2030 will be dedicated to grooming a new generation of leaders.

The country's constitution, approved in 2014 following the 2013 military removal of the late Islamist president Mohamed Morsi, originally allowed presidents to serve two four-year terms. However, a 2019 constitutional amendment extended presidential terms to six years, providing Sisi with the opportunity to seek an additional term, which he won in 2023.

Critics and opposition figures have expressed concerns about the possibility of further constitutional changes that could allow Sisi to remain in office beyond 2030.