Rise in Egypt's army pensions triggers controversy

Egyptian post-coup president and ex-army chief Abdul Fattah Al-Sisi will reportedly raise the pensions of the military, triggering further sarcasm on his calls for austerity.

Vice president of the State Council judge Magdy Al-Agaty submitted a bill to the ministry of defence on Monday stipulating the increase in military pensions. The bill should be reviewed by the cabinet before being submitted to the president for ratification.

“I can’t give you” and “If I can give you, I will give you” are two of the most famous Al-Sisi quotes in which he tells Egyptians that the economy is not capable of granting them a life of luxury at the moment, and that they should lead a life of austerity until the economy stabilises.

Egyptian commentators, however, compared Al-Sisi’s statements on austerity to his recent decision to raise the pensions of army retirees, accusing him of contradiction between his words and actions. They also accused him of favouring the army, the institution from which he hails, at the expense of the Egyptian people.

Rights activist Haitham Abu-Khalil mocked the decision, pointing out that the military institution considers Egypt as their property, and thus the decision was not a surprise. “Al-Sisi urged all Egyptians to lead an austere life, but he excludes the army from his advice, because Egypt is the estate of their father,” Abu-Khalil said.

Another commentator, Political scientist Dr Seif Abdel-Fattah, said that Al-Sisi has probably changed his motto from “I can’t give you” to “I can give you,” but this time he is addressing the army.

Abdel-Fattah attributed the decision to the broader picture of militarising the country following the July 3 coup. “The army now ratifies laws and determines what’s favourable and what’s not favourable,” he added.

Economic commentator Hamed Morsi said that raising pensions is acceptable so long as the raise is applied to all Egyptians without exceptions.