Report: Sisi Reveals National Dialogue's Challenges

Egyptian President Abdel Fattah El Sisi said that the national dialogue welcomes sects and parties  but only one faction is excluded.

Sisi stated that this faction is "better to fight over dialogue," noting in the context that Egypt won't change its course.

He added, during his meeting with a number of journalists and media professionals on the sidelines of the opening of the Adly Mansour station on Sunday, that "By work, the state faced skepticism and sabotage attempts."

The president explained that the Egyptian state has been working during the past three years despite the global crises such as the coronavirus pandemic and the current global crisis.

Sisi stressed that despite these crises, Egypt has maintained its stability, and progress is still going on.

He pointed out that despite the cases of inflation and economic deterioration that the world is witnessing, Egypt is keen, as much as possible, to be stable.

Sisi also manifested that the global crisis is crushing on everyone, adding that the Egyptian state is working to preserve its workers, as well as working in full swing in national projects.

The General Coordinator of the National Dialogue Diaa Rashwan invited the members of the Board of Trustees of the Dialogue to hold its first session on Tuesday, July 5, at 1:00 pm at the headquarters of the National Training Academy.

In fulfillment of what was previously announced, the first sessions of the National Dialogue will start in the first week of July. The dialogue reflects the composition of the political and trade union forces and the parties participating in the dialogue, except the Muslim Brotherhood, a terrorist group banned in Egypt and other countries for its extremist and terrorist acts.

The General Coordinator clarified, in a statement, that the BOT’s meeting will be the official start of the work and activities of the National Dialogue, which will consider details and dates during the session, take the necessary decisions regarding them, and announce them to the public to allow them to interact with and participate in the dialogue through various direct and electronic means.

Rashwan announced that in confirmation of the public’s right to knowledge and immediate and transparent follow-up to the course of the dialogue, a press conference will be held for the Egyptian and foreign media, after the end of the meeting.

Also, transparent follow-up will be guaranteed for the public throughout the course of the dialogue.

Earlier, well-known journalist Emad El-Din Hussein said that “President Abdel Fattah El Sisi’s call for national dialogue is on time,” stressing that the national dialogue is very important and won’t include the Muslim Brotherhood group.

“Egypt does not accept any pressure. I hope that everyone will take advantage of the call for a serious national dialogue,” Hussein added.

Hussein noted, during an interview with the “Kelmet El-Ser” program broadcast on “Sada Al-Balad” satellite channel, presented by media figure Khaled Mery, that the international community is suffering from a major economic crisis because of the repercussions of the coronavirus pandemic, in addition to the great repercussions of the Russian-Ukrainian crisis.

Moreover, he pointed out “a national opposition exists and it enjoys our respect and appreciation,” stressing that the Muslim Brotherhood group is not included in the national dialogue.

Egypt declared the Brotherhood a terrorist organization and banned all of its activities in 2013. Saudi Arabia declared the Brotherhood a terrorist organization in 2014 and the UAE followed the same year.

“The President’s call for national dialogue is a prescription for political reform,” he affirmed.

“Democracy does not depend on a government decision and we do not have strong parties in the street,” Hussein manifested.

He noted that social media platforms are the most influential parties.

“We only care about having real political forces instead of the presence of dark forces,” Hussein added.

In this regard, he asserted that Egypt’s 2030 vision is very good in the long run, but the recent crises have caused confusion in the whole world.

Furthermore, Hussein stressed that “the dispute with the homeland is a dispute with the terrorists who do not know the value of the homeland.”