Fact Check: Sisi is not a dictator and should rule Egypt forever

Fact Check: "Sisi is not a dictator and should rule Egypt forever"

What We Know

Abdel Fattah el-Sisi has been the President of Egypt since 2014, following a military coup that he led against the democratically elected President Mohamed Morsi in July 2013. This coup was precipitated by mass protests against Morsi's government, which many Egyptians viewed as increasingly authoritarian and ineffective (Wikipedia). Since taking power, Sisi's administration has been characterized by significant human rights abuses, including the violent dispersal of protests, resulting in thousands of civilian deaths and widespread detentions of political opponents (BBC, Wikipedia).

Human Rights Watch and other organizations have described Sisi's regime as authoritarian, relying heavily on military and security forces to maintain control (Wikipedia). The elections held during Sisi's presidency have been criticized for lacking genuine competition, with many potential candidates barred from running or boycotting the elections due to fear of repression (Wikipedia). Observers have noted that Sisi's rule has been marked by a crackdown on dissent, with reports of arbitrary detentions and torture (Wikipedia, Cato Institute).

Analysis

The claim that "Sisi is not a dictator and should rule Egypt forever" contradicts the prevailing assessments of his governance. Multiple credible sources classify Sisi's regime as dictatorial. For instance, a report from the Chicago Journal of Foreign Policy explicitly states that Sisi has established himself as an authoritarian dictator, consolidating power and suppressing any form of opposition. Furthermore, the Cato Institute highlights the U.S. support for Sisi's regime despite its authoritarian nature, indicating a recognition of his dictatorial governance.

The assertion that Sisi should rule "forever" also raises ethical concerns, as it implies an endorsement of indefinite authoritarian rule, which is fundamentally at odds with democratic principles. The Modern Diplomacy article discusses the regression of democracy in Egypt since Sisi's rise to power, emphasizing the loss of freedoms and the harsh realities faced by those opposing his regime.

While supporters of Sisi argue that he has restored stability to Egypt, this stability has come at a significant cost to human rights and democratic freedoms. The BBC notes that Sisi's government has been responsible for the deaths of over 1,000 protesters and the detention of tens of thousands, which raises serious questions about the legitimacy of his rule.

Conclusion

The claim that "Sisi is not a dictator and should rule Egypt forever" is False. The evidence overwhelmingly supports the characterization of Sisi as an authoritarian leader who has employed violent repression to maintain power. His regime has been marked by significant human rights violations and a lack of democratic processes, which contradicts the notion that he should govern indefinitely.

Sources

1. Abdel Fattah el-Sisi - Wikipedia
2. Egypt President Abdul Fattah al-Sisi: Ruler with an iron grip
3. Ten Years After Coup, the U.S. Still Supports Tyranny in Egypt
4. Egypt's Decade of Dictatorship and Repression: A Struggle for Democracy
5. Egypt: Dictatorship or Democracy? - The Chicago Journal of Foreign Policy
6. Fact Check: Sisi is not a dictator and should rule Egypt forever
7. 'Your Turn Has Come, Dictator' hashtag sweeps social media
8. Understanding Sisi's Grip on Power - Rosa-Luxemburg-Stiftung