Sisi Appoints New Cabinet and Prime Minister


Sisi appointed his new government on June 17, 2014. To head his government, Sisi reappointed Ibrahim Mahlab, who was the acting Prime Minister in the interim government. Mahlab will oversee a cabinet of 34 ministers, most of whom also served in the interim government. Sisi also appointed 13 new ministers, including four women. The notable changes include: Nabil Fahmy, previously the Minister of Foreign Affairs, was replaced by Sameh Shoukri, the former ambassador to the United States; the new Investment Minister will be the banker Ashraf Salman; and Naglaa El Ahwany, a professor, will act as the new Minister for International Cooperation.

Additionally, the Ministry of Administrative Development was replaced by one that will be focused on the issue of the slums in urban areas. In line with the revised Egyptian constitution, the Information Ministry – the body that oversees the state media – will be replaced with an “independent institution” to handle the media.

In a meeting following the swearing-in ceremony, Sisi instructed his cabinet to construct a modern state conforming to the will of the people, as expressed in the 2011 and 2013 revolutions. He instructed them to focus on eliminating corruption, using the nation’s resources effectively, restoring security, enforcing the minimum wage, and supporting an overhaul of current human rights legislation. He will be meeting with the cabinet on a monthly basis. Prime Minister Mahlab stated three goals for the cabinet: to address urgent measures; to complete the roadmap to democracy by holding parliamentary elections; and to translated “grand plans, ambitions and visions” into concrete strategies.