Cairo: Egyptian President Abdul Fateh Al Sissi on Friday announced his intention to seek a second term in office in the country’s presidential elections due in March.
“I tell you in full frankness and transparency, hoping to allow and accept my nomination for the presidential post,” Al Sissi said in a televised statement, addressing Egyptians.
“I have nothing but working day and night. I will be able to confront every challenge as long as you are on my side,” he added.
He was speaking at the end of a forum held to review his performance since he took office in 2014.
His announcement was made on the eve of the start of candidacy registration for the March 26-28 elections.
Al Sissi, an ex-defence minister, is widely expected to win the vote in which he is unlikely to face a strong challenger.
His current term ends in June.
Al Sissi’s rule has brought some stability to the country, but critics say his popularity has been eroded by tough economic reforms that have hit people’s livelihood’s hard and by a crackdown on dissidents.
His supporters on the other hand say measures are needed to keep the country stable as it faces security challenges including attacks by Daesh terrorists in the North Sinai region.
The vote will be held on March 26-28, with a run-off vote on April 24-26 if no candidate wins more than 50 per cent in the first round. Candidates will register from January 20 to 29.
In the televised announcement, Al Sissi listed Egypt’s achievements during his first term, including a nascent financial recovery after years of political turmoil and economic instability.
“Building the state takes 16 to 20 years, I am trying to finish it in 8 years, God willing,” Al Sissi said.
Al Sissi came to prominence when he led the army’s ouster of President Mohammad Mursi of the Muslim Brotherhood in 2013 following weeks of popular protest against his rule.
The former general became president himself in 2014, winning 96.91 per cent of the vote.
“I pledge that the upcoming presidential election will be free and transparent. and be characterised by equal opportunities between candidates,” Al Sissi said.
His most high-profile challengers are former army chief of staff Sami Anan and human rights lawyer Khalid Ali, but neither is expected to garner enough votes to oust him.
Thousands of Al Sissi’s supporters gathered at the Cairo stadium calling for the former military commander to run for a second term. Public figures, actors and parliamentarians were among the crowd.
“We wanted Mr. President to continue with us,” Medhat Al Adl, a famous scriptwriter and poet, said from the podium as people cheered and waved the Egyptian flag and Al Sissi’s portrait.
“This is not his will, this is the will of all of us,” he added.
— With inputs from Reuters