The world witnesses history at Sisi’s inauguration

Three years after the 25^th of January revolution, Egypt makes history as it inaugurates its second leader in two years. A day full of celebrations, Egypt’s new President was sworn into office at the High Constitutional Court (HCC), followed by two elaborate celebrations at the Ittihadiya Presidential Palace and Al-Qubba Palace.

Sisi’s Swear-in at the High Constitutional Court

Egypt’s presidential inauguration began early Sunday morning at the High Constitutional Court where President Abdel Fattah Al-Sisi was sworn into office, officiating his four year presidential term.

The President took an oath to “uphold the republican system, to respect the Constitution and the law, to fully uphold the interests of the people and to safeguard the independence and territorial integrity of the nation,” in front of the General Assembly of the Supreme Constitutional Court.

President Sisi became the second president to swear-in in front the General Assembly of the Supreme Constitutional Court; the first was ousted President Mohamed Morsi.

Sisi’s swear-in in front of the Supreme Constitutional Court is specified in Article 144 in the constitution, which states that in the event of an absence of a House of Representatives, the president must be sworn-in before the court.

Outgoing Interim President Adly Mansour sat beside Sisi as the ceremony began with verses from the Quran followed by speeches by Maher Samy, the Head of the Constitutional Court and its Charges D’Affaires, Anwar Assay.

The ceremony was attended by Prime Minister Ibrahim Mehlab, Grand Imam of Al-Azhar Ahmed El-Tayib, Coptic Orthodox Pope Tawdaros II and military, judicial and government brass.

President Sisi had won the presidential elections with a landslide victory of 96.9 percent of the vote.

Inauguration Continues at the Ittihadiya Presidential Palace

The celebrations continued in the afternoon with a ceremony at Ittihadiya Presidential Palace in Heliopolis, in which President Sisi was greeted by a 21 gun salute fired by the artillery.

During the ceremony President Sisi greeted several world leaders and dignitaries, some of which include King Abdullah of Jordan, Crown Prince Salman of Saudi Arabia, King Hamd of Bahrain and Chadian President Idriss Déby.

After greeting his guests, President Sisi and Former President Adly Mansour made their way to the celebration hall, in which the first peaceful transfer of power in the history of Egypt took place as Adly Mansour handed over power to the new leader.

“Our nation has never witnessed a peaceful transfer of power before,” President Sisi said at an event that is “unprecedented” in Egyptian history during his speech at the Presidential Palace.

President Sisi addressed the public as he mentioned the 25^th of January revolution and the 30^th of June revolution, “The time has come for the Egyptian people to reap the fruits of the two revolutions.”

In his short speech, Sisi spoke about ensuring internal and external developments to reestablish Egypt’s role as part of the Arab world and part of Africa.

“We will have disagreements for the sake of the nation, not competing over the nation,” Egypt’s new President said.

President Sisi also thanked King Abdullah of Saudi Arabia for his efforts to help restore Egypt by calling on a donors’ conference and for his continued support of Egypt. He also encouraged other countries to participate in the international donors’ conference to aid Egypt in overcoming its economic turmoil.

Former Interim President Adly Mansour meanwhile thanked Arab countries and foreign allies in his speech at the Presidential Palace. He also mentioned that despite the economic distresses and terrorism that surged Egypt, the Egyptian people still managed to adopt the transitional road map after the ousting of Former Islamist President Mohamed Morsi.

Mansour addressed Egypt’s new President and second elected president in two years saying, “You will succeed in achieving the people’s aspirations with the support of the people.”

After both presidents’ speeches, they both signed a transfer of power marking the commencement of Sisi’s four year term as President of Egypt.

Sisi addresses the nation and world leaders at Al-Qubba Palace

The third part of the inaugural celebration took place in Al-Qubba Palace, the largest Palace in Egypt and the former residence of King Faruk.

The celebration commenced as President Abdel Fattah Al-Sisi arrived to 1,300 of his guests from Egypt and around the world, reported Al Ahram.

President Sisi began his speech by requesting from his guests to stand up in honor of Egypt’s martyrs. He then proceeded to thank Interim President Adly Mansour for his honorable service to Egypt this past year.

Former Interim President Adly Mansour had been sworn into office a day after the ousting of Former President Mohamed Morsi of the Muslim Brotherhood.

In his final speech of the day, President Sisi vowed to institute a social contract between the people based on honestly and to uphold the interests of the people, “’without the exclusion of anyone.”

“I always pray for God to help me in my mission and help me be worthy of your trust,” said President Sisi addressing his people.

President Sisi addressed the poor by promising to provide them with a better life during his term and emphasized the importance of upholding their rights.

The former Field Marshal also applauded the armed forces, describing them as the “the castle of Egyptian patriotism.” President Abdel Fattah Al-Sisi served in the armed forced for four decades before resigning to run for president.

In addition, Sisi also promised to “double their capabilities [police] and to establish a healthy relation between the security apparatus and the people.”

In his hour long speech, Sisi promised to establish huge national projects and to allow for an environment to encourage investors.

Sisi also called for the presence and greater representation of women in politics adding that he will do everything in his ability to provide that.

Sisi also addressed the youth stating that it is them who “build the country’s future.”

Regarding foreign policy, Sisi said that he will continue to be dedicated to the Palestinian cause until the Palestinian state is independently established.

“The age of subordination in Egypt’s foreign relations is over,” Egypt’s new president explained referring to Egypt’s relationship with Africa. He also added that the dispute with Ethiopia over the Grand Renaissance Dam should not pose “obstacle” between Egypt and Africa.

Egypt’s President additionally thanked the Egyptian church for reflecting the true image of a “unified national fabric.”

At the end of the ceremony, President Sisi issued his first presidential decree as the newly-elected president of Egypt honoring Former Interim Adly Mansour the Order of the Nile.

The Order of the Nile is Egypt’s highest state honor, established in 1915 by Sultan Hussein Kamal and reconstituted in 1953; it is given for exceptional service for Egypt.