Vice-President of Egypt

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Vice-President of the
Arab Republic of Egypt
Coat of arms of Egypt (Official).svg
Arms of the Government
Incumbent
Vacant
since 14 August 2013
Appointer President of Egypt
Term length No term limits
Formation7 March 1958
14 July 2013 (Interim)
23 April 2019
First holder Sabri al-Asali
Akram al-Hawrani
Abdel Latif Boghdadi
Abdel Hakim Amer
Final holder Mahmoud Mekki
Mohamed ElBaradei (Interim)
Abolished26 December 2012
18 January 2014 (Interim)

The vice-president of the Arab Republic of Egypt is a senior official within the Egyptian government.

History of the office

Before 1971

In 1962, President Gamal Abdel Nasser instituted collective leadership in Egypt, separating the post of Prime Minister from that of President and establishing a presidential council to deal with all issues formerly considered presidential prerogatives. Five of the council's 11 members were Vice-Presidents of Egypt. [1]

Under the 1971 Constitution

According to article 139 of the 1971 Constitution, the President "may appoint one or more Vice-Presidents define their jurisdiction and relieve them of their posts. The rules relating to the calling to account of the President of the Republic shall be applicable to the Vice-Presidents." The Constitution gave broad authority to the President to determine the number of Vice-Presidents, as well as their appointment, dismissal and duties of office.

After the 2011 amendments, the president should appointed a vice president 60 days after his inauguration.

Under the 2012 Constitution

The 2012 Constitution did not include the position of Vice-President. [2]

With the adoption of the 2012 Constitution on 26 December 2012, the office of Vice-President was abolished. Mahmoud Mekki was the last person to hold the office before the adoption of the 2012 Constitution, having resigned on 22 December 2012.

2013 coup d'état

After the overthrow of President Mohamed Morsi in the 2013 Egyptian coup d'état, the position of the Vice-President was briefly restored (with extra-constitutional basic) by Acting President Adly Mansour, who appointed Mohamed ElBaradei to the post of Acting Vice-President on 7 July 2013. [3] [4] He was sworn in on 14 July. [5] On 14 August 2013, following a violent crackdown by security forces on supporters of deposed President Morsi, in which more than 800 people were killed, [6] ElBaradei resigned as Acting Vice President. [7]

Under the 2014 Constitution

Much like the 2012 Constitution, until 2019, the 2014 Constitution also did not include the position of Vice-President.

After 2019 constitutional amendments

The office has since been restored following a constitutional referendum. President may appoint one or more vice presidents. The main duty of the vice presidents is to assist the president. [8]

List of officeholders

This list contains Vice-Presidents of United Arab Republic (1958–71, included Syria until the 1961 coup d'état) and Arab Republic of Egypt (1971–present). [9]

PortraitName
(Birth–Death)
Term of officePolitical party President
Took officeLeft officeTime in office
Sabri al-Assali.jpg Sabri al-Asali
صبري العسلي
(1903–1976)
7 March 19587 October 1958214 days National Party Nasser
Akram Hourani.jpg Akram al-Hawrani
أكرم الحوراني
(1912–1996)
7 March 195819 September 19602 years, 196 days Ba'ath Party
(Syria Region)
Nasser
Boghdadi, 1958.jpg Abdel Latif Boghdadi
عبد اللطيف البغدادي
(1917–1999)
7 March 195823 March 19646 years, 16 days National Union
(until 1962)
Nasser
Arab Socialist Union
`bd lHkym `mr.jpg Abdel Hakim Amer
محمد عبد الحكيم عامر
(1919–1967)
7 March 195830 September 19657 years, 207 days National Union
(until 1962)
Nasser
Arab Socialist Union
Nur al-Din Kahala (cropped).jpg Nur al-Din Kahala
نور الدين كحالة
(1908–1965)
20 September 196018 October 19611 year, 28 days National Union Nasser
Abdul Hamid Sarraj.jpg Abdul Hamid al-Sarraj
عبد الحميد السراج
(1925–2013)
16 August 196118 October 196163 days National Union Nasser
Kamel el-Din Hussein.jpg Kamal el-Din Hussein
كمال الدين حسين
(1921–1999)
16 August 196123 March 19642 years, 220 days National Union
(until 1962)
Nasser
Arab Socialist Union
Zakaria Mohiedin as Interior Minister.jpg Zakaria Mohieddin
زكريا محيى الدين
(1918–2012)
16 August 196123 March 19642 years, 220 days National Union
(until 1962)
Nasser
Arab Socialist Union
Hussein Al Shafei.JPG Hussein el-Shafei
حسين محمود حسن الشافعي
(1918–2005)
16 August 196130 September 19654 years, 45 days National Union
(until 1962)
Nasser
Arab Socialist Union
Anwar Sadat cropped.jpg Anwar Sadat
أنور السادات
(1918–1981)
17 February 196426 March 196438 days Arab Socialist Union Nasser
Hassan Ibrahim, 1952.jpg Hassan Ibrahim
حسن ابراهيم
(1917–1990)
17 February 196427 January 19661 year, 344 days Arab Socialist Union Nasser
Zakaria Mohiedin as Interior Minister.jpg Zakaria Mohieddin
زكريا محيى الدين
(1918–2012)
1 October 196520 March 19682 years, 171 days Arab Socialist Union Nasser
Ali Sabri 1966.jpg Ali Sabri
على صبرى
(1920–1991)
1 October 196520 March 19682 years, 171 days Arab Socialist Union Nasser
Hussein Al Shafei.JPG Hussein el-Shafei
حسين محمود حسن الشافعي
(1918–2005)
20 March 196816 January 19734 years, 302 days Arab Socialist Union Nasser
Sadat
Anwar Sadat cropped.jpg Anwar Sadat
أنور السادات
(1918–1981)
19 December 196914 October 1970299 days Arab Socialist Union Nasser
Ali Sabri 1966.jpg Ali Sabri
على صبرى
(1920–1991)
30 October 19702 May 1971184 days Arab Socialist Union Sadat
Fawzi UAR.jpg Mahmoud Fawzi
محمود فوزى
(1900–1981)
16 January 197218 September 19742 years, 245 days Arab Socialist Union Sadat
Vacant (18 September 197416 April 1975)
General Hosni Mubarak.jpg Hosni Mubarak
حسنى مبارك
(1928–2020)
16 April 197514 October 19816 years, 181 days Arab Socialist Union
(until 1978)
Sadat
National Democratic Party
Vacant (14 October 198129 January 2011)
Omar Suleiman 070731-D-7203T-010 0WX8I.jpg Omar Suleiman
عمر سليمان
(1936–2012)
29 January 201111 February 201113 days Independent Mubarak

Role during 2011 revolution

During the course of the 2011 revolution, the Supreme Council of the Armed Forces met first on 9 February 2011 under the chairmanship of Egyptian president, Hosni Mubarak. The Council met for the first time without the chairmanship of the president on the following day, 10 February, and issued their first press statement [10] which signaled that the council was about to assume power, doing so on 11 February after Mubarak's resignation. The military junta was composed of the following officers: [11]

PortraitName
(Lifespan)
Position
Chairman
Field Marshal Mohamed Hussein Tantawi 2002.jpg Field Marshal
Muhammad Hussein Tantawy
محمد حسين طنطاوي سليمان
(1935–2021)
Commander-in-Chief of the Egyptian Armed Forces
Minister of Defense and Military Production
Supreme Commander of the Egyptian Armed Forces
Deputy Chairman
Sami Hafez Anan.jpg Lieutenant General
Sami Hafez Anan
سامى حافظ عنان
(born 1948)
Chief of Staff of the Egyptian Armed Forces
Members
Air Marshal
Reda Mahmoud Hafez Mohamed
رضا محمود حافظ
(1952–2013)
Commander-in-Chief of the Egyptian Air Force
Lieutenant General
Abd El Aziz Seif-Eldeen
عبد العزيز سيف الدين
(born 1949)
Commander-in-Chief of the Egyptian Air Defense Forces
Mohab Mameesh (cropped).png Vice Admiral
Mohab Mamish
مهاب مميش
(born 1948)
Commander-in-Chief of the Egyptian Navy

Prior to Mubarak's resignation

The Supreme Council released its first statement on Thursday, 10 February 2011, [10] stating that the council "in affirmation and support for the legitimate demands of the people" is in "continuous session to consider what procedures and measures that may be taken to protect the nation". It was noted that Mubarak was not present in the meeting as the Supreme Commander of the Armed Forces, however the meeting was headed by defense minister Field Marshal Muhammad Hussein Tantawy.

Assuming power

The Supreme Council of the Armed Forces in its third statement issued on the evening of Friday, 11 February 2011, shortly after the announcement of Mubarak's resignation, stated that the Council is not a substitute for the legitimacy that satisfies the people. The Council addressed "with all the greetings and cherished for the lives of the martyrs who sacrificed their lives to sacrifice for freedom and security of their country, "and led a spokesman for the Council to salute the martyrs, an action which received wide praise from the people. The Council also thanked President Hosni Mubarak "for his work in the process of national war and in peace and on the national position in preference to the higher interest of the homeland" in the same statement. In the following day, 12 February, the Council released its fourth statement, which pledged to oversee the transition to ensure the transfer of power to a civilian government elected by the people.

Transition period and political reforms

In its statement the Council indicated that it intended to suspend emergency laws that had been in effect for three decades, move towards free and fair presidential elections, and provide for a safe transition to a free democratic order. [12] One of their first actions was to dissolve the Parliament of Egypt, suspend the Constitution of Egypt, and an announcement of free, open presidential and parliamentary elections before the year's end and within six months. However, they have not yet lifted the emergency law and has failed to live up to is promises of civilian transfer of power and implementing the demands of the revolution.

The Council has also declared that Egypt "is committed to all regional and international obligations and treaties". This has been widely interpreted as relating to the Egypt–Israel peace treaty, and has been welcomed by Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu. [13] [14]

On 7 August 2011, Field Marshal Tantawi swore in 15 new governors, 11 of whom were new to the post. Some critics complained that the new governors were appointed rather than elected, that many of them were military figures and/or members of the old regime and none of them were young, women, or Copts. [15]

Since taking power, the council oversaw the trial of 16,000 people in closed military trials, including bloggers, journalists and protesters. In May 2011, one of the members of the council, General Mamdouh Shahin, stated that under the new constitution Egypt's military should be given "some kind of insurance ... so that it is not under the whim of a president." [16]

The SCAF was heavily criticized following violent confrontations in October 2011 between armed soldiers at the headquarters of the state television and radio services (known as the Maspero building). A group of protestors, mostly Coptic Christians, marched to the Maspiro building in downtown Cairo to protest against the burning of a church in Upper Egypt. A confrontation between the protestors and the army turned violent, resulting in the killing of over 20 protestors. [17] State TV broadcast messages of Copts attacking the army and called on Egyptians to join the army. [18] Armed men joined the army in attacking what had been a peaceful protest. [19] The SCAF initially denied the army was responsible for any violence and further claimed that three soldiers had been killed by protestors, claiming that the soldiers were not carrying any live ammunition. [20] Later, video evidence was broadcast showing army vehicles hitting groups of protestors. [20] An editorial in The Washington Post blasted the SCAF for what it called a "shameful" response to the violence directed against the Coptic protestors. [21]

Despite the turbulence of the transitional period in Egypt, polls have shown that the SCAF has enjoyed wide legitimacy from the Egyptian people and general confidence in their ability to provide free elections. A poll in October 2011 showed that 91.7% of Egyptians have confidence in the SCAF to provide the conditions for free elections. The SCAF at that time had a general approval rating of 40.6%. [22]

On 24 January 2012, Mohamed Hussein Tantawi gave a televised speech in which he announced that the state of emergency would be partially lifted the following day. [23] Power would be handed over to the government of the elected president in June 2012. [23]

On 16 June 2012, just after the election of Muslim Brotherhood-affiliated Islamist candidate Mohamed Morsi as President of Egypt, the Supreme Council of the Armed Forces passed legislation which gave them control over the process of drafting a new constitution and immunity from any civilian oversight. [24]

The council was dissolved on the inauguration of President Mohamed Morsi on 30 June 2012. The role of SCAF was transferred to the General Command of the Armed Forces.

List of officeholders

PortraitName
(Birth–Death)
Term of officePolitical party President
Took officeLeft officeTime in office
Vacant (11 February 201112 August 2012)
Mahmoud Mekki
محمود مكي
(born 1954)
12 August 201222 December 2012132 days Independent Morsi

Post-revolution

On 3 September 2012, Colonel General Abdel Fattah el-Sisi, newly appointed Minister of Defence and Commander-in-Chief of the Armed Forces, confirmed the composition of the revised command of the Armed Forces with the blessing of newly elected President Mohamed Morsi. The command was composed of the following officers: [25]

PortraitName
(Lifespan)
Position
Chairman
Sedki Sobhy (cropped).jpg Colonel General
Sedki Sobhy
صدقي صبحي
(born 1955)
Commander-in-Chief of the Egyptian Armed Forces
Minister of Defense and Military Production
Supreme Commander of the Egyptian Armed Forces
Deputy Chairman
Mahmoud Hegazy (cropped).jpg Lieutenant General
Mahmoud Hegazy
محمود حجازى
(born 1953)
Chief of Staff of the Egyptian Armed Forces
Members
Vice Admiral
Osama El-Gendi
أسامة الجندي
(born 1953)
Commander-in-Chief of the Egyptian Navy
Younes Al-Masri.jpg Air Vice-Marshal
Younes Hamed
يونس حامد
(born 1959)
Commander-in-Chief of the Egyptian Air Force
Abdul Meniem Al-Toras.jpg Lieutenant General
Abdul Meniem Al-Toras
عبد المنعم التراس
Commander-in-Chief of the Egyptian Air Defense Forces
Major General
Naser El-Aasy
ناصر العاصي
Commander of the Second Field Army (HQ: Ismailia)
Major General
Mohamed Raafat Eldash
محمد رأفت الداش
Commander of the Third Field Army (HQ: Suez)
Major General
Tawhid Tawfiq
توحيد توفيق
Commander of the Central Military Region (HQ: Cairo)
Major General
Gamal Shehata
جمال شحاتة
Commander of the Northern Military Region (HQ: Alexandria)
Major General
Mohamed Arafat
محمد عرفات
Commander of the Southern Military Region (HQ: Asyut)
Major General
Mohamed Al-Masry
محمد المصري
Commander of the Western Military Region (HQ: Mersa Matruh)
Major General
Nabil Al-Shazly
نبيل الشاذلي
Chief of Operations of the Armed Forces
Major General
Taher Abdullah
طاهر عبدالله
Chief of the Armed Forces Engineering Authority
Major General
Ahmed Ibrahim
أحمد إبراهيم
Commander of the Border Guards Corps
Major General
Ahmed Abou Al-Dahab
أحمد أبو الدهب
Director of the Morale Affairs Department
Major General
Mamdouh Shahin
ممدوح شاهين
Assistant Minister of Defense for Constitutional and Legal Affairs
Representative of the military in the Constituent Assembly
Former assistant of Field Marshal Tantawy
Major General
Mohamed Al-Assar
محمد العصار
Assistant Minister of Defense for Armament Affairs
Former assistant of Field Marshal Tantawy

List of officeholders

PortraitName
(Birth–Death)
Term of officePolitical party President
Took officeLeft officeTime in office
Vacant (22 December 201226 December 2012)
Post abolished (26 December 201214 July 2013)
Mohamed ElBaradei.jpg Mohamed ElBaradei
محمد البرادعي
(born 1942)
(Interim)
14 July 201314 August 201331 days Constitution Party Mansour
(Interim)
Vacant (14 August 201318 January 2014)
Post abolished (18 January 201423 April 2019)
Vacant (23 April 2019 – present)

Timeline

Mohamed ElBaradeiMahmoud MekkiOmar SuleimanHosni MubarakMahmoud FawziAli SabriHassan IbrahimAnwar SadatHussein el-ShafeiZakaria MohieddinKamal el-Din HusseinAbdul Hamid al-SarrajNur al-Din KahalaAbdel Hakim AmerAbdel Latif BoghdadiAkram al-HawraniSabri al-AsaliVice-President of Egypt

References

  1. Nasser institutes Collective Leadership, Davar, 1962 (in Hebrew)
  2. Shalaby,Ethar (3 December 2012). "VP not to continue according to new constitution". Daily News Egypt. Retrieved 3 December 2012.
  3. "Egyptian interim president nominates two for leadership posts" . Retrieved 7 July 2013.
  4. "Egypt's Salafist party rejects choices for premier, vice-president". Al Arabiya. 8 July 2013. Retrieved 8 July 2013.
  5. Aya Batrawy, "Egypt's defense minister defends ousting president", Associated Press, 14 July 2013.
  6. "Egyptian security forces storm protesters' camps". The Washington Post . 14 August 2013. Retrieved 14 August 2013.
  7. "Egypt's VP Mohamed ElBaradei resigns in protest against crackdown". Los Angeles Times . 14 August 2013. Retrieved 14 August 2013.
  8. "Egypt's constitutional changes: A look at the post of vice president". Ahram Online.
  9. "Egypt's constitutional changes: A look at the post of vice president - Politics - Egypt - Ahram Online".
  10. 1 2 "Feb. 10 Statement from Egypt's Council of the Armed Forces". The New York Times. 10 February 2011. Retrieved 20 January 2025.
  11. "Egypt's Supreme Council of the Armed Forces". The New York Times. 10 February 2011. Retrieved 10 February 2011.
  12. "Statement From the Supreme Council of the Egyptian Armed Forces". The New York Times. 11 February 2011. Retrieved 11 February 2011.
  13. "Army Council: Egypt is committed to all treaties". Egypt State Information Service. 13 February 2011. Retrieved 13 February 2011.
  14. Agence France-Presse (13 February 2011). "Israel welcomes peace pledge". The Sydney Morning Herald. Retrieved 13 February 2011.
  15. Uproar in Egypt Over Government Appointment of Regional Governors from Armed Forces, Old Regime 15 August 2011.
  16. Foreign Affairs magazine, September/October 2011, "Commanding Democracy in Egypt", Jeff Martini and Julie Taylor, pp. 127–137.
  17. Bloodshed at Christian protest leaves stunned Egyptians torn over army, sectarian divisions [ dead link ] AP. 15 October 2011.
  18. El-Gundy, Zeinab. Outrage over state TV's misinformation and anti-Coptic incitement al-Ahram. 10 October 2011.
  19. Abdel Kouddous, Sharif. Violence and Bloodshed in Egypt: An Eyewitness Account Pulitzer Center. 10 October 2011.
  20. 1 2 Tadros, Mariz Egypt's Bloody Sunday MERIP. 13 October 2011.
  21. Egypt’s delaying tactic Washington Post. 10 October 2011.
  22. Raman, Suby. "Poll- Do the Egyptians really want to overthrow the military government?". Tabeer. Archived from the original on 1 June 2013.
  23. 1 2 Egypt's ruling generals to partially lift emergency law, BBC News, 24 January 2012.
  24. أيمن, أروى (17 June 2012). "نصوص الإعلان الدستوري المكمل في اليوم الأول لبدء العمل به". الوطن (in Arabic). Retrieved 26 November 2020.
  25. Enein, Ahmed Aboul (3 September 2012). "Al-Sisi decides on new SCAF formation". Daily News Egypt. Retrieved 12 September 2012.