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Sisi appoints sons in key roles to ‘protect his throne’

July 23, 2018 at 1:21 pm

Egyptian President Abdel Fattah Sisi in Cairo, Egypt [Egyptian President Office/Apaimages]

Egyptian President Abdel Fattah Al-Sisi has reportedly promoted his son Mahmoud from the rank of Major to the rank of Brigadier-General and appointed him deputy head of the General Intelligence Directorate.

This comes after Al-Sisi’s younger son, Hassan, a former engineer in an oil company, was appointed to the Department of Communications of the General Intelligence Directorate.

An Israeli think tank linked to the decision-making circles in Tel Aviv reported on 13 January 2017 that Al-Sisi was working to tighten his grip on the Egyptian intelligence apparatus by appointing his relatives and supporters to senior positions.

The Jerusalem Centre for Public Affairs (JCPA) pointed out that Al-Sisi appointed his eldest son Mahmoud as a senior official responsible for the “internal security” of the General Intelligence. Mahmoud is now considered the “powerful man” in the apparatus who participates in official meetings held by his father and his closest associates, who control the intelligence agency, after a “massive elimination” operation was carried out.

Read: ‘Al-Sisi’s regime is weak and will not stand up to the accumulated anger’

Al-Sisi’s influence has grown stronger in the General Intelligence Directorate after Hassan was appointed.

Critics have said Al-Sisi’s moves are an effort for him to “protect his throne” and ensure the longevity of his rule.