Sisi defends the judiciary, holds people responsible for economic crisis

In an address to the graduating class of the military academy on Tuesday, President Abdel Fattah al-Sisi defended Egypt's judiciary in the face of mounting international criticism against it for handing out seven to 10-year sentences to journalists and other defendants accused of aiding the Muslim Brotherhood and spreading false news. 

Sisi said that the judiciary of Egypt is independent, and that its rulings should be respected and not interfered with. He added that he told the minister of justice twice that he won't be interfering in any of the rulings, shooting down any hopes for a presidential pardon, which were entertained by some on Monday when the verdict was issued. 

"We won't interfere in the rulings of the judiciary because Egypt's judiciary is independent and the state institutions shouldn't be talked about by anyone. The judiciary's rulings shouldn't be commented on, even if people don't understand it," Sisi said. 

Moving on to the economic crisis front, Sisi further defended the state and once more spoke about the challenges Egypt is facing, particularly with regards to the 2014/2015 fiscal year budget, where the state faces a deficit of LE2 trillion. He added that he discussed the matter on Monday for six hours with the ministers of finance and planning as well as the prime minister. 

He said that he refused to agree on a budget with such a wide deficit and chose instead to tell the people.

Instead, Sisi said he asked the government to decrease the deficit, but holds people responsible for handling the crisis along with it. "I promised to be kind to you but I need to leave something for my children to live on," Sisi continued. He said that Egypt needs two years to manage this crisis and added that in the meantime, he won't be able to meet any sectorial demands right now, "not because I don't want, but because I can't."

Sisi referred to his unease with the international support that Egypt is getting from the Gulf and asked, "How long will we continue to embarrass ourselves this way?"

In a sign of benevolence, meanwhile, Sisi said that his salary is at LE42,000, which represents the maximum national wage, vowing that no one will ever take more than that. He added that he will let go of half of it for the state treasury, as well as half of his property which he inherited from his father. "We need real sacrifices from each Egyptian," he said, replicating his previous statements that Egyptians should endure the current economic hardships for the welfare of the country.  He asked rhetorically whether Egyptians abroad and inside can contribute to the rebuilding of Egypt. 

Sisi made sure to mention the martyrs and those injured amongst the Armed Forces, the police and the people throughout past clashes, thanking them for sacrifices.

He also made sure to pay allegiance to the military from which he hails. "The military institution will remain the living conscience. This army belongs to Egypt and doesn't belong to anyone. The army of Egypt is for Egyptians," he said.