El-Sisi Extends Osama Rabie's Term as Suez Canal Authority Chairman

Egyptian President Abdel-Fattah El-Sisi has reappointed Lieutenant General Osama Rabie as the Chairman of the Suez Canal Authority (SCA) for another one-year term, starting on August 12, 2024. This marks Rabie’s fifth consecutive term as the head of the SCA, the body responsible for managing and operating one of the world’s most crucial waterways.

The Suez Canal, which facilitates 12 percent of global trade, is a vital source of hard currency for Egypt. Under Rabie’s leadership since 2019, the canal has achieved record-breaking daily ship transits and annual revenues, reinforcing its significance in international trade.

Rabie, 68, has also demonstrated strong crisis management skills during his tenure. Notably, he successfully oversaw the refloating of the Ever Given, the massive container ship that famously ran aground and blocked the canal in March 2021, disrupting global trade.

Before leading the SCA, Rabie served as the commander of the Egyptian Naval Forces from 2015 to 2016. He then held the position of vice chairman of the SCA from 2016 until he was appointed chairman in 2019.