President Sisi Puts His Business Face Forward

posted on: Mar 19, 2015

ARM EL-SHEIKH, Egypt — Onstage in a cavernous conference hall on Sunday, a group of grinning and squealing teenagers took selfies with Egyptian President Abdel Fattah al-Sisi. A screen wrapped around the back of the stage, showing mock-ups of a skyline of glittering golden towers. On either side of the stage, two screens shaped like the maps of Egypt displayed Sisi’s face as he attempted to smile modestly, a slight tear in his eye as he mugged for the cameras. This was his moment, a time to rake in the cash for the “new Egypt” he has been building since he took over the country in a coup in July 2013.

After a few minutes of cheering, Sisi managed quiet the enthusiastic audience and begin his closing speech to Egypt’s Economic Development Conference. The conference was a three-day bid to secure foreign investment. Sis was never short on rhetoric: “Some people thought my country is dead,” the general-turned-president said, patting the podium. “No, Egypt is a survivor…. 7000 years ago Egypt offered civilization to the whole globe. It’s there in history books. I’m not going to say why Egypt did not stay the course, but I just wanted to say that this state is waking up now.” The speech ended the way it began, with many in the audience shouting “Long live Egypt!” and punching the air as they offered Sisi a long standing ovation.

Source: foreignpolicy.com