Speech by President El-Sisi at the Launch of the Decent Life Initiative

In the name of Allah, the Most Merciful, the Most Gracious,

The great people of Egypt,

Honorable guests,

I speak before you today at a moment when my feelings are mixed with both happiness and pride; happiness to be among a group of symbol figures and representatives of different segments of the Egyptian people and pride in the successive victories and great achievements that have made together by the hands of Egypt’s sons and the blood of its martyrs.  

I find myself now proud of the Egyptian people’s achievements as their shouts rose in the squares, streets and villages of Egypt expressing the will of the Egyptian nation to regain Egypt from those who wanted to violate the sanctity of its land and rob its identity driven by misconceptions and extremist ideologies. I find myself with the Egyptian army, which I was honored to lead at that critical moment in the nation’s history, absolutely siding with the will of this great people. 

The challenges and difficulties that we countered as a result of our decision, both the people and state, to re-claim Egypt from an oppressive and misleading group that trades the homeland and religion were matched by determination to live up to the challenge and win the battle for survival and construction. 

When I heeded your call, my confidence in the abilities of the Egyptian people was absolute, my certainty of victory was unquestionable and my drive as I led a group of the nation’s saviors was impartiality and loyalty.  I feared no one but Allah, and I had no aim but to save our homeland and I only sought to work hard.

My conviction was genuine and confidence was in place as these brave people proved that their ingenuity was deeply-rooted within. The Egyptian character was inspired by its own past, vigor and heritage and proved to the entire world its ability to forge glory.

It was not deterred by the challenges, despaired by the media outlets that sought to break spirits nor dissuaded by terrorism from its goals. The challenges were immense yet not bigger nor stronger than our will to overcome them and navigate the nation towards the future. 

We faced a fierce wave of terrorism that shed the blood of our brave sons from the Egyptian army and police. We addressed the problems and decades long accumulated economic crises by an economic reform program at the core of which was the Egyptian citizen who endured the direct impacts on their daily life while showing understanding of the importance of these measures to guarantee a better future for the coming generations. Also, together we rebuilt our constitutional national institutions and legislative chambers representing the Egyptian people were formed. In tandem was the race to build future Egypt and optimize its capabilities and assets. As a result, the mega national projects became a symbol that demonstrated the will of the Egyptian people for building.  Among the projects were new cities that accommodate all Egyptians in every corner across the country, social housing that offered decent accommodation for the youth as well as developing unsafe areas to eradicate slums, comprehensively upgrading the national road network, increasing agricultural land and today launching our greatest national project to develop the Egyptian countryside, Haya Karima (Decent Life). We seek through this project to raise the standard of living of more than 4,000 villages that target achieving sustainable development and improving the quality of life of nearly 58 million citizens in the coming three years with a budget of approximately 700 billion Egyptian pounds.

Today, I announce the launch of this ambitious project relying on God’s will to implement and my confidence in the abilities of the Egyptians, the people and state. I consider it the launching of the New Republic that is firmly based on the concept of the modern civil democratic state that possesses all capabilities; militarily, economically, politically and socially. One that upholds the principle of citizenship and acceptance of the other and seeks to achieve peace, stability and development. A state that looks forward to political development that reinvigorates Egyptian society based on reinforcing the concepts of social justice, dignity and humanity.     

It also seeks to shape the multilayer construct of the Egyptian citizen, mental, cultural and health wise, out of our conviction that the Egyptian citizen is the true wealth of this nation and the icon of its victory and glory. A strong, modern, civil and democratic Egypt is only apt for the Egyptians, demonstrates their will, is commensurate with their aspirations and represents their sacrifices.  

The great people of Egypt,

I renew my pledge and promise to you that we will start our new republic that was conceived from your great June 30 Revolution, adamant to pursue more work and construction while possessing the comprehensive ability to continue achieving economic and political development, supporting more common spaces between the nation’s sons and offering all means for our youth to achieve a future that befits them in their great homeland.   

I would like to express my deep appreciation for the great people of Egypt for the efforts and sacrifices that they made for us to stand today safe and reassured to build and develop.  

I would like to thank the men of the Egyptian army for the sacrifices they offered and still do in order to protect the nation’s dignity and safeguard its assets. I also salute the brave men of the Egyptian police for their valorous role in facing black terrorism. I thank each and every laborer that built Egypt’s glory, every farmer that planted hope, every scientist that opened up a source of lighting. I especially salute the great Egyptian woman who was always at the forefront of the national path and lived up to the challenge.

Ladies and gentlemen, honorable attendees,

Egypt runs its foreign relations, both regionally and internationally, according to stable and unwavering pillars based on mutual respect, favoring peace and upholding the rule of international law. Egypt has also acquired political tools and military and economic strength that reinforce the ability of carrying out our will and protect our assets.

In order to achieve regional and international peace and security, the approach that Egypt adopted was based on practicing the highest levels of wisdom and rational use of power, without compromising the circles of Egypt’s national security both at various levels.

I frankly speak and assure you that compromising Egypt’s national security is a red line that cannot be crossed, whether they like it or not. Practicing wisdom and favoring peace do not by means allow compromising the assets of this nation. We will not allow anyone to come near and have multiple options to protect our nation, the use of which will be decided according to the situation and circumstances.    

The people of Egypt, sisters and brothers, I keep and renew my pledge and promise to you that I will remain a loyal son to this country and work for its interest with no prejudices.  I will be devoted to your will and confident in your abilities and determination, praying for God to grant us success.   

As my words were addressed to your conscience when I said that dreams do not perish, today I confirm that believing in a dream creates the present and future.  

I dream big for my country just like you do and my resolve to realize the dream is undeterred just like yours. Let us dedicate our dreams for Egypt and always work for its interest.

Long Live Egypt. Long Live Egypt. Long Live Egypt.