Reactions to Sisi’s resignation and presidential ambitions

Abdel Fattah al-Sisi presented his official resignation Thursday morning to Prime Minister Ibrahim Mehleb, stepping down from his position as defense minister, privately owned Al-Masry Al-Youm newspaper reported.

Melheb said on Wednesday that he appreciates what Sisi has done for the country and thanked him personally. However, he stressed that, “the government is impartial towards all presidential candidates,” and that they are “determined to create an atmosphere of transparency during the coming presidential elections.”  

Head of the Popular Current and presidential candidate Hamdeen Sabbahi welcomed the former defense minister's announcement to run for the presidency yesterday. On his official Twitter account, Sabbahi said that he looks forward to “a fair, transparent, democratic election that ensures the people's right to choose their leader by their own free will.”

Ahmed Fawzy, a leading figure in the Social Democratic Party, told Mada Masr that he was not surprised by the resignation. “Sisi is an Egyptian citizen and has the right to declare his candidacy.” Hee expressed his concern, however, about the presidential hopeful’s position in relation to other candidates: “He is at least 10 steps ahead of the rest.” 

Fawzy said that Mehleb's announcement alone is not enough, and that equal opportunities have to be a reality for all candidates, adding that fellow ministers should refrain from taking Sisi's side. “The situation is flawed and I hope it will be fixed soon.

Fawzy called upon Sisi's followers to be more accepting of competition, especially after Sisi himself said yesterday that he encourages competition.  

According to CNN Arabic, secretary general of the Nour Party said that Sisi is an honest Egyptian citizen and has the right to run for the presidency.

The Dostour Party published a statement earlier on Thursday saying that, “the field marshal's speech was transparent and he spoke frankly about the country's current conditions and the tough circumstances it is going through.”  

The Tamarod (Rebel) movement stressed their support for the former field marshal and his candidacy.

The resignation also stirred up some negative reactions. Nobel Prize winner and Yemeni activist Tawakkol Karman said, “the supreme guidance of the fascist coup has installed himself as the new pharaoh of Egypt.”

Head of the Building and Development Islamist Party Tarek al-Zomor said that the resignation is a cover up for “a coup.”

Sisi announced on Wednesday night in a highly awaited televised speech that he is quitting his position as defense minister and intends to join the presidential race.