Interim president Adly Mansour issued a presidential decree promoting General Abdel Fattah El-Sissi, minister of defence, to the rank of field marshal. It is the highest rank in the Egyptian military.
The promotion has created a buzz online, with many wondering whether it paves the way for Sissi to run for presidency in elections penciled in for the end of April.
Adam Makary tweets:
Reminder – Sisi was #Egypt [1]‘s first defence minister not to hold the top rank of Field Marshal. Now he has it.
— آدم مكاري (@adamakary) January 27, 2014 [2]
Louisa Loveluck notes:
Field Marshal Sisi's Wikipedia page has already been updated.
— Louisa Loveluck (@leloveluck) January 27, 2014 [3]
And Ahmed Abrass explains what the title Field Marshal means [ar]:
رتبه المشير ترجمتها بالانجليزيه فيلد مارشال قائد ميدان حرب و هي تمنح للعسكريين اللي قادوا جيوش لانتصارات مبهره
— Ahmed (@Ahmed_Abrass) January 27, 2014 [4]
“Field Marshal in English means someone who has led troops on the field battle and have obtained scintillating victories”
This isn't the case for El Sissi. However, it seems that this is not a prerequisite in the Egyptian army and that the former general had all the necessary qualifications to become a Field Marshal.
Nervana Mahmoud explains:
This arabic link say: ” fighting in war is not a pre-condition for promotion to Field Marshall.” http://t.co/pi9dbLS4RX [5] of course! #Egypt [1]
— Nervana Mahmoud (@Nervana_1) January 27, 2014 [6]
Bel Trew confirms:
Abdel-Fattah Sisi has necessary qualifications to be Field Marshal, doesn't need combat experience say sources #Egypt [1] http://t.co/5tmFOlQPPS [7]
— Bel Trew – بل ترو (@Beltrew) January 27, 2014 [8]
And Egyptian Streets says:
Government source: Promotion of Al-Sisi is aimed at honoring his actions over the past few months. #Egypt [1]
— Egyptian Streets (@EgyptianStreets) January 27, 2014 [9]
Many netizens seem puzzled and clearly annoyed by the news.
On Facebook, Mina Labib asks [ar]:
يتكافؤه على ايه ؟؟ علي إنفجارات ؟؟!!
What is he being honoured for? The explosions?
Egypt woke up on January 24 to a series [10] of four explosions, which left six dead and over 70 wounded in Cairo.
Some suggest that this promotion is a fast-track to Sissi's presidential bid. Nervana Mahmoud writes:
Promotion of general Sisi is a sign of imminent resignation. That is the way they do it in Egypt since decades. #sigh [11]
— Nervana Mahmoud (@Nervana_1) January 27, 2014 [12]
Egyptian Streets adds:
BREAKING: Reports indicate Al-Sisi meeting with military leaders to plan his nomination for Presidency, likely to resign. #Egypt [1]
— Egyptian Streets (@EgyptianStreets) January 27, 2014 [13]
And journalist Patrick Kingsley explains:
Just spoke to a senior military source who claimed #Sisi [14] wd have to resign if he ran. But wouldn't say what the promotion itself meant.
— Patrick Kingsley (@PatrickKingsley) January 27, 2014 [15]
It seems that the presidential bid isn't the only reason for this promotion. Tarik Salama tweets:
Sisi promoted as Marshal is a salary necessity. As future president w/ a constitutionally limited salary, he needs the extra.
— Tarik Salama (@tariksalama) January 27, 2014 [16]
And Basil Al Dabh adds:
Get that pension. #recession [17]
— Basil الضبع (@basildabh) January 27, 2014 [18]
In time of great unrest and crackdown on personal freedoms, some people see this as another step towards the deification and cult of personality that Egyptian leaders were used to enforce.
Zack Gold explains:
Given the circumstances, I think the next promotional level is “Sun God.”
— Zack Gold (@ZLGold) January 27, 2014 [19]
While Gr33ndata shares this cartoon:
Viva Alcazar pic.twitter.com/lUJfgpNde3 [20]
— Tarek Amr (@gr33ndata) January 27, 2014 [21]