(AFP/ File Photo)
By Mahitab Assran
The armed forces are under the command of the people, and Egypt is currently at a crossroad, Defence Minister and Supreme Commander of the armed forces Abdul Fatah Al-Sisi said in a Sunday statement.
The statement stressed that the army “knows its place” in the modern state and “will not cross its limits,” assuring that although “recent events have forced the army to be close to the political scene,” this was not the army’s goal. It would instead focus on its primary role of “protecting the Egyptian people.”
“The armed forces understand that they are in the service [of the people] and not in control of them. [The army] does not enforce anything upon them,” the statement said.
Al-Sisi said the army “understands that the people are the source of all power and legislation” and therefore had to respond to the people’s call for the ouster of former president Mohamed Morsi. With this in mind, he said, the armed forces would be transferring authority to “political powers in order to enforce the will of the people.”
The statement stressed that Egypt is currently at a “crossroads” and “under constant pressure,” emphasising the importance of proper decision making. The roadmap offered by the armed forces represents “only a suggestion” for a future plan, Al-Sisi said.
The statement concluded with a message to Asia and Africa, assuring them that Egypt is still able to perform its regional role, and stressing that “all nations come from a single civilisation, regardless of differences.”
Nationwide protests on 30 June demanded the removal of former president Mohamed Morsi and early presidential elections, prompting the armed forces to intervene, transferring power to Adly Mansour, head of the Supreme Constitutional Court.
