Egypt: Little-known army figure rises to stardom

Cairo: Abdul Fatah Al Sissi, born on November 19, 1954, honed his strategic skills in the shadowy world of military intelligence, which he headed under Hosni Mubarak.

He was the youngest member of the military council, which ruled Egypt for 18 months after Mubarak’s fall. His own writings from his time at the US Army War College in Pennsylvania in 2006 reflected an awareness that ensuring democracy in the Middle East may be fraught with difficulties. The world knew little of Al Sissi before he appeared on television on July 3 and announced the removal of Mursi after mass protests against the Islamist leader.

It was Mursi who appointed Al Sissi army chief of staff and defence minister in August 2012, perhaps his gravest mistake. Mursi, a Muslim Brotherhood leader, wanted a young general to reduce the influence of the military old guard who had served under the autocratic Mubarak before the 2011 revolution.

His reputation for being a pious Muslim may have also appealed to Mursi. But while Mursi appeared deaf to criticism, Al Sissi was tuned in to the rising discontent on the streets over the Brotherhood’s mismanagement. Eventually he issued an ultimatum to the man who appointed him: Bow to the demands of protesters within 48 hours or the military will act.

Admirers of Al Sissi, who knew him as a young man, believe his single-mindedness will be enough to rescue Egypt. A resident who knew him said that while other local boys played football or smoked, Al Sissi and friends lifted barbells made of metal pipes and rocks — an early sign of the discipline that would take him far.

“Abdul Fattah always seemed to have a goal. He had willpower,” said Aaatif Al Zaabalawi, a dye factory worker who used to see Al Sissi in the area.

Neighbours say he came from a tightly-knit religious family. His cousin said Al Sissi had memorised the Quran and his favourite dish was one often eaten on religious occasions. The father encouraged him to work in his shop every day after school.

He lived in a small apartment on the rooftop of a rundown building owned by his extended family.

“When an apartment was sold it was only sold within the family. Between brothers for instance,” said his cousin, adding that Al Sissi had married within the extended family. These days it’s hard to escape Al Sissi. His image is on everything from mugs and T-shirts to pyjamas and even chocolates.