Egypt’s President Abdel Fattah al-Sisi has outlined a plan for his eventual succession, setting forth specific criteria for prospective leaders who may replace him after he steps down in 2030. Speaking at a graduation ceremony at the Egyptian Military Academy on Saturday, Sisi emphasized that future candidates should be between 40 and 50 years old and hold doctorate degrees from reputable Egyptian or international universities.

Sisi, who has led the country since 2014 following the ousting of former President Mohammed Morsi, said that those selected would undergo 30 months of training at a military academy to gain in-depth knowledge about state affairs, resources, and governance. The program aims to prepare candidates for a range of leadership roles, including the presidency as well as positions within ministries, governorates, and parliament.

“I will hand over Egypt’s leadership in 2030, if I live, with its flag raised and the country strong,” Sisi said. “I will not leave the Egyptian state except when it is replete with sons and daughters capable of assuming responsibility.”

He further explained that a committee, headed by the speaker of parliament and comprising intellectuals, politicians, and ministers of higher education and justice, would establish the selection criteria and draft the relevant legislation for the training initiative.

Currently serving a six-year term after his re-election in December 2023, Sisi benefits from constitutional amendments passed in a 2019 referendum. These changes extended presidential terms from four to six years and permitted him to seek a third term, enabling him to remain in office until 2030.

Sisi, 71, continues a tradition of Egyptian leaders drawn from the military, following in the footsteps of those who have dominated the country’s political landscape since the 1952 coup that overthrew King Farouk. His plan for succession has been described by Amr Hamzawy, director of the Middle East program at the Carnegie Endowment for International Peace, as a “significant change in Egypt” and dismissed as more than a cosmetic gesture.

However, some observers and Egyptians remain skeptical due to Sisi’s past statements on his political ambitions. Before running for president in 2014, he repeatedly denied any intention to seek the presidency while serving as defense minister. In 2017, Sisi pledged not to pursue a third term, but constitutional reforms two years later allowed him to extend his tenure. His 2023 election victory marked his third term in office.

If Sisi follows through on his latest commitment, it would represent Egypt’s first peaceful and orderly transfer of power since the mid-20th century.