Ali Abdel Aal Sayyed Ahmed (born 29 November 1948) is an Egyptian law professor and politician. He has been Speaker of the House of Representatives since 10 January 2016. As law professor he worked at Ain Shams University and specialized in constitutional law.
His role in Egyptian politics has been crucial for the past couple of years, as he headed the first parliament formed after the 30th of June Revolution which toppled the Brotherhood group's radical regime.
In addition, Abdel Aal also was one of the constitutional experts who worked on the Egyptian Constitution of 2014. In 2015 he was the head of a committee which drafted three new electoral laws.
In the 2015 parliamentary elections Abdel Aal was elected on the For the Love of Egypt list for the Aswan Constituency. He was elected Speaker of the House of Representatives on 10 January 2016. He obtained 401 of 585 votes.
Al-Ahram sat down with professor Abdel Aal days before the upcoming Egyptian Senate elections, posing questions to his excellency regarding the circumstances that Egypt is going through, at the regional and local levels, acquires great importance.
During the interview Abdel Aal provided several analyses that encompassed many Internal and external issues facing Egypt during this crucial period in its modern and contemporary history; it included the Libyan crisis, its repercussions and direct effects on Egyptian national security, followed by the issue of the Ethiopian Renaissance Dam, and the continuous rounds of negotiations to resolve this crisis
Furthermore, Dr. Abdel-Aal views the return of the second chamber of parliament as one of the preludes to a comprehensive plan for political reform in Egypt, pointing out that the return of the Senate was the fulfillment of a broad desire among broad sectors of the House of Representatives,
The situation stabilized after the June 30 revolution. The need to introduce some amendments to the constitution, to enrich parliamentary life by restoring the second chamber of parliament, as a new forum that would represent a qualitative addition to the many legislative debates issued by Parliament was clearly evident.
In his interview with Al-Ahram, Dr. Abdel Aal presented what can be considered a statement of account for Parliament during the past period, and confirmed that the House of Representatives did not seek to achieve "false popularity" at the expense of the public interest, and proceeded to achieve an unprecedented volume of legislation, amounting to 804 Laws, in conjunction with the use of many regulatory tools against the executive authority.
Below are some of the Key Points of Abdel Aal Interview
- Egypt is strong and possesses all the elements of deterrence to impose its will.
- If it wasn't for the latest economic reforms, we would have turned into a failed state.
- President Sisi established an accurate treatment for Egypt's chronic problems... and the achievements made in his era could not have happened in 70 years.
- Several parties are trying to lure Egypt into drastic ventures meant to deplete its resources ... and the Libyan crisis is a national security issue.
- The Senate is an enrichment of the parliamentary experience and political life .. It will not burden the state budget.
The Ethiopians are refusing to cooperate and are against transparency ... and the Nile is governed by international laws and agreements.
- After June 30, Egypt regained its external role and position and dealt with the years of estrangement with the African continent
- The Parliament's decision to agree to send troops abroad reflect the nation's trust in it's political leadership
- The current Parliament faced more difficulties than any other parliament in the nation's history ... and preserving homeland security is more important than false popularity.
- New factories and national projects open doors of hope for a better economy
- I have heard about the development of the Maspero Triangle since I was a student at the university in 1968, and only the 30th of June state was able to fulfill this vision.
Full Interview:
After The 30th of June Revolution, Egypt began a long journey of achieving development in several sectors? How do you evaluate the journey thus far from your perspective as an Egyptian citizen who is currently the spokesman for the parliament ?
The facts on the ground say that Egypt has already witnessed a development boom, in various respects, and it is a boom that everyone touches, and no one can deny it.
Development plans included multiple sectors, and one of the most important results of which was that Egypt turned into a fertile and attractive land for investment, and the various openings of factories and national projects clearly, means that there are growth and developments happening at a rapid pace.
All of this opens the gates of hope for a better economy, and the truth is that this was not achieved until after President Sisi succeeded in accurately diagnosing chronic problems in the country and establishing appropriate treatment, and this matter was evident in projects that included roads, transportation, electricity, slum development, and various economic reform programs.
From my point of view, the most important decisions that were taken into consideration during that stage included the liberalization of the exchange rate and rise of subsidies, which were two decisions that were long overdue. If they were addressed, for a long time and for long periods, the situation would have changed a lot, and the truth is that no one had the courage to take such decisions for reasons related to preserving popularity, even if it is at the expense of the national interest.
President Abdel Fattah El Sisi expressed his dissatisfaction with the emergence of slums in the developed areas, and criticized officials, while directing to quickly remove these violations immediately ... How do you view this issue?
Developing slum areas has been a major challenge, both socially and economically. The government has adopted a preventive policy; these areas have had negative social and health effects and upgrading them has therefore been essential.
Creating a healthy and clean environment in the slums has been recognised and appreciated by the residents. Yet, once those areas are well-developed and renovated, there should be a harsh stance taken against violators, and a strict implementation of the law and regulations for a clean environment, to maintain the people’s and the state’s efforts.
The country’s leadership believes that the inpidual is the cornerstone of developmental efforts, and within this context several decisions were taken to eliminate these slum areas. When the government exerts such strenuous efforts to realise these dreams, strict measures should be in place to protect the new realities.
Citing what was known as the Maspero Triangle in Downtown Cairo, the decision to eradicate the slum area there should have been taken in 1968.
There were a lot of plans to develop this area, but none were executed until recently, which was also the case with the Baron Palace in Heliopolis, which was recently turned from a deserted building into a touristic site.
Government officials must therefore shoulder the huge responsibilities since there is no place for officials who are incapable of translating the people’s dreams into realities.
Six years have passed since President Sisi's term in office, but the current level of economic prosperity is measured at 10 years, how do you evaluate the current period ?
It is no secret to anyone in Egypt, the extent to which the political leadership is keen to race against time and accomplish tasks as quickly as possible.
President Sisi was able to spread his positive energy to officials, by sharing responsibility, so that unprecedented success was achieved in the fastest duration.
I bear witness that what has been achieved in the country at the hands of President El-Sisi has not happened for more than seventy years, for I have been with Presidents Gamal Abdel Nasser, Sadat and Mubarak, and experience has turned me into a "witness to The era «, so I can say that what happened during the last six years is unprecedented in modern Egyptian history.
The Egyptian government was not only successful in internal affairs, but also sought to open up to the international community? How do you evaluate the state's foreign agenda ?
No one can deny how Egypt regained its external position, during the era of President Abdel Fattah El Sisi, and with his political acumen, he was able to restore to Egypt its distinguished position among the international community and to have a voice heard at all levels,
The President pursued a policy of openness to everyone, build balanced relationships with all global powers, and this is in fact a vision characterized by farsightedness, and it has proven its integrity by achieving the national interest. Perhaps the most important of these efforts is the success of the President in restoring warmth to Egyptian-African relations, after a period of estrangement in those relations, and this success has been embodied in the return of Egypt is the embrace of Africa, headed by the African Union.
How was Egypt able to maintain this balance, despite its preoccupation with its war on terror, and did its preoccupation with securing the home front ?
Egypt was keen, and still is, not to be drawn into any uncalculated ventures meant deplete its resources, army and people, and distract it from it's development journey.
However, Egypt at the same time does not accept attacks on it or prejudice its interests, And the interests of its brothers and neighbors in a way that affects it, and these are important dimensions of the Egyptian national security.
The whole region has witnessed many plans to destabilize security and stability and spread chaos over the last ten years, and the results are clear and speak for themselves, and this scheme has, unfortunately, involved countries with other aims, as they implement the agendas of other countries by proxy, by trying to control the capabilities of countries In the region, and making it a haven for terrorists.
Will the Parliament continue to assemble until January 2021? or will the current term end and then be renewed next October ?
The parliament, which has borne the responsibility of being the country’s sole legislative body for almost five years, is due to end its current term in January. Until that time, the body will continue to pursue its duties, welcoming members of the upper house when they are elected this autumn, and ensuring a fair election for next session of the House of Representatives.
The Senate elections are set to take place within the upcoming hours.. What message would you like to give to the citizens concerning this phase ?
First of all, I call on all Egyptians to be keen on exercising their constitutional right to choose their representatives in the second parliamentary chamber, because it represents a guarantee towards deepening parliamentary practice in Egypt,
I believe that the presence of the Senate is of great importance as it is the second chamber in the Egyptian parliamentary system, as it includes intellectuals in all fields and disciplines, which deepens discussions about the laws that are presented to it, and the Senate gains its importance, with what it will include of elites chosen away from the idea of political enthusiasm, which controls the elections of the House of Representatives as a primary chamber.
Some people view that establishing a second legislative house will put a lot of pressure on the state's budget? How do you view these claims ?
This is not true at all, as the former employees of the senate are currently being reinstated, and its headquarters are separated again within the budget of the House of Representatives, and Law No. 141 of 2020 regulated the issue of transferring a sufficient number of current employees in the House of Representatives to work in the Senate,
The employment priority is for the workers of the abolished senate, with the same ranks and financial and employment rights, the law also stipulated the formation of a committee headed by the Minister of Parliamentary Affairs, the membership of the Secretary-General of Parliament, the head of the Central Agency for Organization and Administration, and a representative of the Ministry of Finance, and the law mandated this committee to examine the requests to transfer workers and determine The number of workers needed.
The Libyan Crisis is one of the most crucial agendas the parliament is currently dealing with at the moment? What's your take on the matter ?
This is a severe issue that directly threatens the national security of our nations. On the western borders, radical armed militias have devastated Libya, which has had strong ties with Egypt for centuries. In most cases these groups fight for their own interests, be they financial or political.
The plan, which has become clear to almost everyone now, is to pide that country into cantons led by armed militias serving foreign interests.
Two memorandums of understanding have been signed by Turkey and the Libyan Government of National Accord’s Prime Minister Fayez Al-Sarraj in Tripoli, illegally designating maritime zones of influence for the Turks, who will in turn enhance their military presence in Libya.
Thousands of armed militiamen have been shipped from Syria to Libya via Turkey, bringing about the same destruction and fears and heightening the differences between Libyans, as well as creating a firewall on the western border of Egypt. When national security is threatened, then the leadership should look deeper into the evolving crisis before the flames reach Egypt’s doorstep.
Egypt has always sided with the Libyans’ aspiration to maintain the unity of their lands. We believe that a fair and solid settlement of the Libyan issue will not be viable but through Libyans themselves.
President Abdel-Fattah El-Sisi announced the Cairo Declaration in June, which aims to settle the Libyan conflict.
The initiative supported a ceasefire, starting on June 8, that obligated foreign powers in Libya to withdraw and dismantle the armed militias.
Our country has enough means to deter and enforce its will when decided. Soft and hard powers are envisaged and exchanged when necessary to help Libyans reject the Turkish interference in their internal affairs. Turkey’s primary target is to pide and lead Libya, and to blur the people’s identity to levy its tight grip over the country’s resources. Therefore, the parliament in Egypt has called upon Libyans to unify their ranks, and to do away with the political and armed conflict.
The international community should also shoulder their responsibilities and confront Turkey’s interference, which has escalated tensions regionally and has negative repercussions for efforts to reach a political settlement in Libya, he argued.
In an unprecedented step, Egypt’s parliament has unanimously approved sending troops outside the country’s borders to support national security. The voting echoed two major issues,.
The first issue is related to the size of anger Egyptians felt due to the Turks’ presence in Libya, while the second should be seen within the framework of the Egyptians’ full and unlimited trust of their armed forces and its political leadership.
The second problems is the Ethiopian Renaissance Dam issue.. Ethiopia has not been cooperating in a case that could prove to be crucial in Egypt's existence ? How do you analyse the current situation ?
Egypt has never stood against the aspiration of an African nation, not to mention a Nile basin country. We recognize those countries' right to establish their own dams, to produce power and build developmental projects on the Nile.
But this great river is an international source of water and the downstream countries have equal rights to development. As much as we recognise other peoples’ rights, no one should ignore ours, which have been acknowledged historically through binding international treaties.
Egypt has helped establish several dams in Nile basin countries to enhance means of development in the continent.
Cairo spent eight years in futile negotiations with Addis Ababa in an attempt to create a joint vision to tackle the repercussions of the GERD and to avoid a shortage of water in downstream states.
The negotiating efforts were based on the simple fact that it should be a win-win situation. But unfortunately, the Ethiopian side has abused its position as an upstream state, acknowledging its sole interest in filling the dam and ignoring the unprecedented negative impact on downstream countries.
Ethiopia’s unilateral move to fill the dam was behind Egypt's complaint to the UN Security Council in June. As described by Abdel-Aal, going to the Security Council was the right step on the path to securing Egypt’s right to the Nile water and avoiding tension in the region.
Follow the latest news on Google News
