From the nation to the president

By Ayman Okeil

Firstly, I would like to convey my congratulations to Egyptians on choosing the president Abdelfattah Al-Sisi as a president for them all, and to national institutions on completing this democratic experience, within which Egyptians exercised their right to political participation in proportions that exceeded the global rate. As I extend my congratulations to you, Mr. President, on the mandate and assignment given to you by Egyptians to complete the construction of the new republic, and allow me to convey to your excellency what’s being currently addressed among people in light of the domestic, regional and international challenges surrounding Egypt due to the war and ongoing conflicts taking place in our eastern and southern borders, and Ethiopia’s denial to any initiatives to agree on the rules of filling and operating the renaissance dam, as Ethiopia is attempting to harm Egypt’s annual share, estimated at 55.5 billion cubic meters, through unilateral measures incompatible with the principles of international law for transboundary rivers, in addition to the economic challenges compounded by the repercussions of the Russian-Ukrainian war.

Altogether set our country at a crossroads, “to be or not to be”, and I know, Mr. president, that you’re keen on advancing and enhancing this state until it assumes its position among developed countries that believes in peace and peaceful coexistence among all. However, this will not be true without effort and work, and preventing the risks surrounding us, and pushing towards achieving the SDGs for all Egyptians. People are looking forward to a set of proceedings that, if imposed, will be a positive gesture and a source of delight for them. From my perspective, these measures are comprised of the following:

1. Implementing the national dialogue outcomes: that was launched following your recommendation in April 2022, and directing all actors in their field of expertise to bring these outcomes to the core of the Egyptian public policy, especially establishing a commission on combating discrimination, and accelerating the adoption of the local councils code and holding municipal elections.
2. Achieving the targeted outcomes of the national human rights strategy, that reached 226 targets in accordance with the 4 axes constituting the strategy’s structure
3. Increasing the social insurance allocations: despite the efforts of the ministry of social solidarity, there are still 5 million families uncovered by the protection granted via “takafol wa karama – dignity and solidarity” programme. Expanding the base of those covered by social protection would help poor families bear living expenses and deal with the repercussions of inflation and rising prices of basic goods.
4. Directing stakeholders to try to reach the percentages enshrined in the Egyptian constitution to support medical care and education, as the state is obliged to, according to articles 18 and 19, allocate at least 3% of governmental expenditures to health, and at least 4% to education, from the GDP.
5. Directing the government towards the provision of an adequate environment that attracts foreign investment, where such investments will lead to creating more vacancies and pumping of foreign currency needed by the Egyptian economy.