Egypt’s Once and Future Dictator Promises to End Muslim Brotherhood

Abdel-Fattah el-Sissi, who recently resigned as the leader of Egypt’s army to run for president, dispelled any notion of reconciliation with the ousted Muslim Brotherhood during an interview Monday.

The former head of Egypt’s military intelligence under dictator Hosni Mubarak, Sissi organized the coup that drove the country’s first democratically elected president, Mohamed Morsi, from power. Morsi and the Brotherhood failed to deliver quickly enough to a country starving for economic growth and the president’s political maneuvering and power struggle with the military brought protesters back to Tahrir Square. The military has since arrested much of the Brotherhood leadership, as well as secular leaders.

It seems Sissi will not make any public appearances during his presidential campaign, citing death threats. Regardless, he is expected to win.

Reuters:

Sisi is expected to easily win the May 26-27 presidential election. The only other candidate is leftist politician Hamdeen Sabahi, who came third in the 2012 election won by Mursi.

Sisi’s supporters view him as a decisive figure who can stabilize a country plagued by street protests and political violence since an army-backed popular uprising toppled President Hosni Mubarak in 2011.

The Brotherhood, which says it is committed to peaceful activism, has accused Sisi of staging a coup and masterminding the removal of Mursi, Egypt’s first freely elected president.

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— Posted by Peter Z. Scheer