Swordsmyth
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On April 16, the Egyptian parliament approved a raft of amendments to the country's constitution that, among other things, would extend presidential terms to six years, meaning that President Abdel Fattah al-Sisi's current term would end in 2024. He could then run for reelection and hold office until 2030. Other amendments would reestablish the Shura Council, a consultative body that functions as an upper parliamentary house; create the office of vice president; and enact quotas for the representation of women and minorities in the lower house.
But of all the amendments, which must win approval in a popular referendum before they can enter the constitution, perhaps the most important ones address the political mandate handed to the already powerful Egyptian armed forces. Those measures would give the Supreme Council of the Armed Forces (SCAF) the final say on the appointment of the defense minister in Egypt's civil government. And most notably, the language of the mandate assigned to the country's army has undergone a subtle, but significant, adjustment, with the service branch now defined as "an institution of the people tasked with safeguarding the land, the constitution, democratic and personal rights, the state, civilian rule, and the gains of the people."
Based on the wording of the amendment outlining the army's powers, the service can realistically argue that any action it takes can be justified as a move to "safeguard" Egypt, even if the civilian government does not approve. This adjustment to Article 200 of the constitution appears to remove some of the civilian state's oversight of army actions.
More at: https://worldview.stratfor.com/arti...nshrine-militarys-hold-power-sisi-term-limits
But of all the amendments, which must win approval in a popular referendum before they can enter the constitution, perhaps the most important ones address the political mandate handed to the already powerful Egyptian armed forces. Those measures would give the Supreme Council of the Armed Forces (SCAF) the final say on the appointment of the defense minister in Egypt's civil government. And most notably, the language of the mandate assigned to the country's army has undergone a subtle, but significant, adjustment, with the service branch now defined as "an institution of the people tasked with safeguarding the land, the constitution, democratic and personal rights, the state, civilian rule, and the gains of the people."
Based on the wording of the amendment outlining the army's powers, the service can realistically argue that any action it takes can be justified as a move to "safeguard" Egypt, even if the civilian government does not approve. This adjustment to Article 200 of the constitution appears to remove some of the civilian state's oversight of army actions.
More at: https://worldview.stratfor.com/arti...nshrine-militarys-hold-power-sisi-term-limits
