Written by: Badr Ahmed

President Abdel Fattah El-Sisi attended on Tuesday evening the celebration of the inauguration of the State's Strategic Command in the New Administrative Capital.

The official spokesperson for the presidency stated that motorcycle and equestrian escorts accompanied the President's motorcade upon His Excellency's arrival at the Strategic Command headquarters, where he was received by Lieutenant General Ashraf Salem Zaher, Commander-in-Chief of the Armed Forces and Minister of Defense and Military Production, Lieutenant General Ahmed Khalifa, Chief of Staff of the Armed Forces, and the commanders of the main branches of the Armed Forces.

The President then boarded an open car to the main podium for the celebration. His Excellency was accompanied by the Commander-in-Chief of the Armed Forces, the Minister of War Production, the Chief of Staff of the Armed Forces, and the commanders of the main branches of the armed forces. This was synchronized with the firing of 21 shots and an aerial escort by Apache helicopters. On the way to the podium, His Excellency inspected the assembled forces and equipment, while the military band played a salute to the President.

Ambassador Mohamed El-Shenawy, the official spokesperson, added that upon the President's arrival at the main stage, the Guard of Honor saluted him, and the national anthem of the Arab Republic of Egypt was played, marking the beginning of the ceremony. The ceremony commenced with the recitation of verses from the Holy Quran, followed by a musical performance by the Orchestra, Choir, and Military Music. Subsequently, a documentary film on the state's strategic leadership was screened. Following this, the President proceeded to hand over the flag of the Armed Forces, topped with the Holy Quran, to the Commander of the Guard of Honor, in preparation for its hoisting over the state's strategic command.

The official spokesperson stated that the president proceeded to the signing platform for the document to officially establish the State's Strategic Command. His Excellency was accompanied by the Commander-in-Chief of the Armed Forces, the Minister of Defense and Military Production, the Chief of Staff of the Armed Forces, and the commanders of the main branches of the Armed Forces. The president then kindly signed the document to officially establish the State's Strategic Command and pressed the button to raise the flag, accompanied by the playing of the national anthem as the flags were raised on the octagonal towers, and artillery fired 11 shots to signal the raising of the flag, followed by a flyover by the aerobatic team. This was followed by the president's return to the main platform, where he witnessed the passage of an open-top bus carrying a group of children.

Following that, General Ashraf Salem Zaher, Commander-in-Chief of the Armed Forces and Minister of Defense and Military Production, delivered a speech on this occasion. He was followed by presenting a souvenir gift to the President of the Republic, which was a model of the State's Strategic Command. Then, the Paratroopers and the Air Force presented two military displays. Afterwards, a film titled “Great Leaders” was shown.

The official spokesperson indicated that the President delivered a speech on the occasion of the opening of the State Strategic Command and the thirteenth anniversary of the June 30th revolution.

President Sisi's speech at the opening of the Strategic Command Headquarters in the New Administrative Capital

Here is the text:

 

In the name of Allah, the Most Gracious, the Most Merciful, and praise be to Allah, Lord of the Worlds.

Allow me to request the playing of the Martyrs' Anthem, as this is a glorious day in Egypt's history.

Allow me, at the outset, to extend greetings and pride, and to congratulate the people of Egypt on the victory of the Egyptian national team in the World Cup and on the historic achievement they have accomplished.

 

In the name of Allah, the Most Gracious, the Most Merciful, and praise be to Allah, Lord of the Worlds.

I begin my words by praising Almighty God, by whose grace we stand today to announce the opening of the State's Strategic Command, this towering national edifice, which rises in the heart of our new capital, a testament to the will of a nation that knows no impossibility.

The choice of the new capital as the headquarters for this edifice was not coincidental, but rather a living embodiment of the pillars of the new republic. The state's strategic command represents a qualitative leap in the system of command, control, and operations management, with its advanced technological infrastructure, secure communication systems, superior capabilities for information gathering and analysis, and linking leadership and executive levels within a single framework, achieving the highest degrees of integration, accuracy, and speed of response.

This leadership is not only concerned with managing military situations, but is a fundamental pillar in the state's ability to confront challenges and exceptional circumstances, according to a comprehensive vision and advanced systems, which place the nation's security and stability above all else, and keep pace with a world where changes are accelerating at an unprecedented pace.

Strategic leadership has come to embody a deeply rooted doctrine that protecting the homeland is a responsibility that cannot be taken lightly, and that deterring anyone who dares to harm Egypt's security and sovereignty is a sacred duty. Egypt's borders are a red line, protected by the will of its people and guarded by the men of its armed forces, with their competence and capability. The state will never allow the nation's resources to be harmed, while remaining committed to peace for those who seek it, and will bow down only to God Almighty.

The great people of Egypt,

This opening coincides with the glorious anniversary of the June 30th revolution, a revolution in which the great Egyptian people embodied the highest meanings of national will when they rose up in defense of Egypt's authentic identity and reclaimed it from the hands of extremists and terrorists who sought to drag the nation into the clutches of chaos and infighting, and to implement destructive exclusionist agendas that bring nothing but bloodshed and destruction.

The June revolution was a cry for justice, a thunderous declaration that Egypt is only ruled by the will of its people, and that this proud nation is capable of protecting its state and preserving its future, no matter how great the challenges.

On this immortal occasion, I extend a greeting of appreciation and reverence to the great people of Egypt, who throughout history have demonstrated their deep awareness and firm understanding... and their constant keenness to protect the homeland and preserve its stability, offering in its pursuit; all that is precious and invaluable.

As we commemorate our martyrs, and our valiant armed forces and civil police, who were and remain the backbone of the people and protectors of their resources, and fought together a fierce battle against terrorism in defense of Egypt's land and interests, on behalf of the entire region and the world, which would have inevitably been affected by this wicked terrorism had Egypt not triumphed over it and eradicated it from its roots.

Dear Children of Egypt,

The June 30 revolution was a revolution against terrorism and extremism, and it was also a revolution for building and modernizing. It was a revolution for the people, to achieve their dream of establishing the new republic, modern Egypt: an industrial, advanced agricultural nation, attractive to investments, a leader in education, health, and services, and in qualifying specialized cadres. In general, it is a state worthy of Egypt's ancient history and deserving of its place among nations.

From the first day of assuming responsibility, I refused to stall the march of development and construction, and I was determined to move forward with the development process; side by side; with the battle against terrorism without postponement or retreat; so that Egypt remains on its path towards the future without delay to make up for some of what we have missed on the path of progress.

The great people of Egypt,

We are working with all our strength, determination, and perseverance to build the modern state. This is an ongoing process that requires sacrifices and efforts from everyone. Solidarity and hard work

They are the only way to progress, as the alternative is backwardness and regression, in a regional environment full of challenges and ambitions.

We have faced successive exceptional crises, starting with the repercussions of the events witnessed in Egypt, from 2011 to 2014, passing through the war on terror, then the “Corona” pandemic, the repercussions of the war in Ukraine, leading to the war in Gaza, and finally the war in Iran.

These crises have resulted in severe losses, including, for example, the loss of more than ten billion dollars in Suez Canal revenues due to attacks on ships in Bab el-Mandeb, in addition to rising energy and food prices, disrupted supply chains, and the displacement of millions to Egypt, which was and will remain a safe and stable haven in a turbulent region.

Despite that, Egypt made strenuous efforts to stop wars and de-escalate tensions, seeking to stop the bloodshed.

And here I reiterate my appreciation for US President Donald Trump, whose efforts led to the “Sharm El Sheikh Agreement” to stop the war in Gaza, and then his success in reaching an agreement to stop the war with Iran. I emphasize the necessity of supporting these agreements, insisting on their full implementation, and preventing any attempts to thwart, circumvent, or undermine them.

Ladies and gentlemen,

Egypt, with its insightful vision and unparalleled historical experience in regional affairs, and as the first to conclude a peace agreement with Israel at a time of entrenched animosity, affirms that the radical solution to the Middle East conflicts lies in reaching a comprehensive and just peace agreement that ends the Palestinian issue and establishes a Palestinian state with East Jerusalem as its capital, in accordance with international legitimacy resolutions.

There is no lasting peace, true stability, or popular normalization, except through a just peace that ends the occupation, puts a stop to injustice and aggression, restores rights to their owners, provides security for all, gives the peoples of the region an opportunity to live in stability and prosperity, and ushers in a new era of cooperation and flourishing, and a better future that our peoples deserve.

The great people of Egypt,

I renew my pledge before you that great Egypt will continue with an unwavering resolve and an unbreakable will, to complete the path of building and development, and to establish the foundations of the modern state, as a firm and unshakeable strategic choice. In a few days, we will witness the event of installing the reactor pressure vessel for the second unit at the Dabaa Nuclear Power Plant, which is one of the most prominent strategic partnership projects with the Russian Federation. This plant will have a significant positive impact on sustainable development by providing clean energy for investment projects and services needed by citizens. I take this opportunity to express my gratitude to Russian President Vladimir Putin and the Russian Federation for this constructive and extended cooperation, achieving remarkable accomplishments in major development projects.

 

The people of Egypt know for certain the burdens that the Egyptian citizen bears, and I understand that improving their standard of living and alleviating their suffering remains at the forefront of the state's priorities and is the primary concern in every decision.

Over the past years, we have faced exceptional challenges together. We have all borne the responsibility of preserving our homeland under critical and complex circumstances. Today, as we approach a new phase, the progress achieved in development and reform obliges us to continue our journey with the same level of responsibility and wisdom to reach our goal.

And I emphasize the importance of officials opening direct communication channels with citizens, listening carefully to their opinions, and providing them with accurate information so that the vision is objective and based on verified data. Here, I emphasize that I have directed the government with specific directives on a number of matters, as follows:

First, opening the door for objective media dialogue, which includes differing opinions, to enrich discussion and build awareness, within a framework of respect and understanding. In this regard, I direct the Minister of State for Information, in coordination with the concerned media and press bodies and authorities, to hold an annual meeting, provisionally on December 3rd of each year, under the patronage of the President of the Republic, to review the state of Egyptian media, discuss challenges and opportunities, and come up with practical recommendations for its continuous development.

Second – Working to activate party life, qualifying political and youth cadres, and completing the necessary preparations for holding local council elections, which will consolidate public participation and enhance their role in local administration.

Third – The Egypt's National Agency for Sustainable Development, in coordination with the Ministries of Agriculture and Supply, shall establish a national program to reduce the cost of living by expanding permanent outlets and markets, and by regulating supply chains to contribute to stabilizing the prices of basic commodities.

Fourth – Preparing a comprehensive national economic program, to be implemented after the completion of the economic reform program with the International Monetary Fund, to be a purely Egyptian program, complementing the reforms achieved, and moving the economy from the stage of stabilizing stability to the stage of launching towards sustainable growth, which will directly reflect on improving the living standards of citizens and enhance the ability of the Egyptian economy to confront variables and achieve comprehensive development.

Fifth – Accelerating the implementation of the next phase of the state's disengagement program from economic activities that the private sector can manage efficiently, with full commitment to the principles of transparency, equal opportunity, and competition, and enhancing the role of the private sector in driving growth and investment.

Sixth – All relevant state agencies shall take more decisive measures to combat corruption in all its forms, strengthen the system of governance, transparency, and accountability, and expand digital transformation to ensure the protection of public funds and consolidate the principles of integrity and efficiency in state institutions.

Seventh - Continuing to develop the education system, on the basis of merit and excellence, linking educational outcomes with the needs of the labor market, and expanding the discovery and care of gifted individuals to ensure the building of generations capable of competing and innovating in various fields.

Finally, a plan to restructure the SME apparatus, focusing on productive activities alongside simplifying incorporation, financing, and licensing procedures, and increasing youth participation in economic activity.

In conclusion, I salute the proud people of Egypt, those with fortitudinous will and deep-seated awareness. I renew my greetings to our noble martyrs, to our valiant armed forces, the sword and shield of the nation, to our civil police, and to all state institutions that bear the responsibility of protecting the nation and shaping its future, so that Egypt may always remain an impenetrable fortress, a steadfast pillar of security, and a beacon of goodness and prosperity.

 

It is important that we remember in detail on this day the events of 2011 leading up to June 30th. God willed to protect Egypt, and it was God who inspired the people to come out and inspired all of us to take certain actions to protect Egypt. There was a day when the Supreme Constitutional Court, the People's Assembly, and the Ministry of Defense were besieged to exert pressure, so that the crisis, whatever its nature, would be managed under pressure and fear, leading to decisions that would cause great harm to our country. Therefore, it was necessary for the state to move out of the capital to ensure this would not happen again. The wicked and terrorists will not stop, and no one will be able to repeat this in Egypt again. However, they will think of other means to harm Egypt, which requires us to deal with our country with sincerity so that God helps us in difficult circumstances, and that God Almighty is the one who protects Egypt, and we must also take the necessary steps. I made sure to mention this to clarify the importance of having a new capital where all state institutions are located within the new republic. God Almighty is the one who blessed us with the idea and its implementation. I always recall and repeat the events of 2011 because God Almighty saved Egypt, and there are countries that have gone through circumstances since 2011 and are still suffering from them today. In 2011, the dollar was six pounds, and now it is fifty pounds. The country lost 450 billion dollars, which we all pay for. I say this so that every official, intellectual, media person, thinker, and young person realizes the danger of any action that does not lead to the improvement of people's conditions but rather to their detriment. I tell my colleagues in the state the importance of speaking to people with the utmost clarity. After that, we entered the war on terror, incurring billions and hundreds of martyrs and injuries from the army, police, and judiciary, both Muslims and Christians, in addition to damage to mosques and churches. I remind you of this to learn from the lessons and not to repeat these mistakes again.

I congratulate the Armed Forces, the Civil Police, and the Egyptian state on this beautiful day, and I hope that we will all work diligently and sincerely in all sectors.

O Lord, to You be praise, as befits the majesty of Your countenance and the greatness of Your dominion.

O Lord, shower us with Your grace and generosity. You have honored us, ennobled us, and mended us. Shower us with goodness and blessings, and Your gracious covering.

Happy new year.

And by God, the Most High, the Almighty:

Long live Egypt, long live Egypt, long live Egypt.

Peace, mercy, and blessings of God be upon you.

 

The official spokesperson explained that the second phase of the celebration program includes the President inspecting the Armed Forces Operations Center, the Chief of Operations of the Armed Forces presenting an explanation about the center, and the President inspecting the readiness of the on-duty elements, the main branches, and the mobilization formations.

 

Following this, a number of official commemorative photos will be taken on this historic occasion. The first will be of the President and his wife with senior state officials and military leaders. The second will be of the President and his wife with various segments of the Egyptian people. The third will be of the President with the leaders of the Armed Forces. Subsequently, the President and his wife will attend a musical performance by the orchestra and choir, coinciding with the illumination of the octagonal structures. This will be followed by a singing performance by an Egyptian female artist. Then, drones will display the phrase “Long live the peace-loving peoples of the world.” Concluding the celebration, the national anthem of the Arab Republic of Egypt will be played, signaling the end of the event.