Egyptian President Abdel Fattah al-Sisi has pledged to leave office when his current presidential term expires in 2030, describing the matter as settled and ruling out changes to the constitution to extend his rule.
Sisi made the declaration on Saturday, October 17, 2026, during a graduation ceremony at the Egyptian Military Academy in the New Administrative Capital, east of Cairo. Addressing graduates and state officials, the 71-year-old leader said the constitution would remain unchanged and that his departure at the end of his term was not open to further discussion.
“The year 2030 will mark the end of my presidential term. This matter is completely settled,” Sisi said, according to Egyptian state media. He also stated that he would not leave the Egyptian state without people capable of assuming leadership responsibilities.
Alongside the pledge, Sisi outlined a plan to prepare a new generation of leaders through a programme organised by the Egyptian Military Academy. The initiative is expected to recruit candidates with doctoral degrees from Egyptian and foreign universities for a 30-month course focused on governance, leadership and the responsibilities of running the state.
Reports indicated that the programme could accommodate up to 300 candidates, with applicants expected to undergo interviews and screening. Sisi said the initiative was intended to help develop capable leaders who could take responsibility for the country’s future. However, he did not explain how graduates would be selected for political office or whether completing the programme would be a requirement for presidential candidates.
Sisi has led Egypt since 2014, after the military ousted Mohamed Morsi, the country’s first democratically elected president, in 2013 following mass protests against his government. Before becoming president, Sisi served as defence minister and was a senior figure in the Egyptian armed forces.
His current term is due to end in 2030 following constitutional amendments approved in a 2019 referendum. The changes extended presidential terms from four to six years and included provisions that allowed Sisi to seek a third term. He won re-election in December 2023, placing the scheduled end of his current tenure in 2030.
The pledge comes amid renewed debate over whether Sisi could remain in power beyond that date. Some of his supporters have publicly called for constitutional changes that would permit him to seek another term, while opposition figures have raised concerns about the concentration of political power.
Earlier this week, Sisi said Egypt’s constitution should not be altered, although his comments at the time left some uncertainty about how he would respond if supporters continued pushing for an extension. His latest statement was more explicit about the scheduled end of his presidency.
During his years in office, Sisi has pursued an extensive state-led development programme, including the construction of the New Administrative Capital and other major infrastructure projects. His government has presented these projects as efforts to modernise the country and stimulate economic development.
However, his administration has also faced criticism over rising public debt, economic pressures and restrictions on political opposition, civil society and freedom of expression. Egyptian authorities have defended their policies as necessary to maintain stability and national security.
If Sisi leaves office in 2030 as promised, he will have served as president for 16 years. His latest announcement has placed the question of political succession at the centre of discussions about Egypt’s future leadership, although the process through which his successor will emerge remains unclear.