OIC head resigns after mocking Al-Sisi

The world’s largest pan-Islamic body, the Organisation of Islamic Cooperation, has announced that its secretary general resigned on Monday after mocked Egypt’s President Abdel Fattah Al-Sisi during a meeting with Tunisia’s Beji Caid Essebsi.

The OIC cited health reasons for the resignation of the Saudi-born Iyad Madani, two days after Cairo condemned the comment that provoked anger in Egypt. The former Saudi minister apparently mocked Al-Sisi by referring to his comments last week which were ridiculed widely on social media. In an attempt to inspire Egyptian citizens, Al-Sisi had claimed that for 10 years he had “nothing but water in his fridge.” Instead of being inspirational, his comments were mocked.

During his meeting with President Essebsi, the OIC official mixed up Sisi’s name with that of his Tunisian host. “Mr President Beji Caid Al-Sisi, Essebsi sorry. This is a big mistake. I’m sure your fridge has more than water, your Excellency.”

According to Egyptian Foreign Minister Sameh Shoukry, his comment was “a serious encroachment against a founding member state of the organisation and its political leadership.” Such remarks, he added, do not conform to the responsibilities and duties of the OIC’s secretary general. “In fact, they fundamentally affect his ability to carry out his duties.”