Supreme Council of the Armed Forces
Encyclopedia
The Supreme Council of the Armed Forces (SCAF) consists of a body of 20 senior officers in the Egyptian military. As a consequence of the Egyptian Revolution of 2011, the Council took the power to govern Egypt
from its departing President
Hosni Mubarak
on February 11, 2011.
The junta meets regularly, as well as in times of a national emergency, with the President of Egypt serving as its chairman. During the course of the 2011 revolution, the Supreme Council of the Armed Forces met first on February 9, 2011 under the chairmanship of the former Egyptian President, Hosni Mubarak
.
The Council met for the first time without the chairmanship of the President on February 10, and issued their first press statement, which signaled that the council was about to assume power which they did the next day following Mubarak's relinquishing of power to the military. The military junta
is headed by the Field Marshal
Mohamed Hussein Tantawi who served as the Minister of Defense under Mubarak, and includes the service heads and other senior commanders of the Egyptian Armed Forces, namely Air Marshal Reda Mahmoud Hafez Mohamed
, Air Force commander, Lt. Gen. Sami Hafez Anan
, Armed Forces Chief of Staff, Lt. Gen. Abd El Aziz Seif-Eldeen
, Commander of Air Defense, and Vice Admiral Mohab Mamish
, Navy Commander in Chief.
was not present in the meeting as the Supreme Commander of the Armed Forces, however the meeting was headed by Defense Minister Field Marshal Mohamed Hussein Tantawi.
, suspend the Constitution of Egypt
, and an announcement of free, open presidential
and parliamentary
elections before the year's end and within six months.
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 Israel
i Prime Minister
Benjamin Netanyahu
.
On August 7, 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.
Since taking power the council has overseen the trial of 7000 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 the 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.`
The SCAF was heavily criticized following violent confrontations between armed soldiers at the headquarters of the state television and radio services (known as the Maspiro 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. State TV broadcast messages of Copts attacking the army and called on Egyptians to join the army. Armed men joined the army in attacking what had been a peaceful protest. 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. Later, video evidence was broadcast showing army vehicles hitting groups of protestors. An editorial in The Washington Post
blasted the SCAF for what it called a "shameful" response to the violence directed against the Coptic protestors.
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%.
Egypt
Egypt , officially the Arab Republic of Egypt, Arabic: , is a country mainly in North Africa, with the Sinai Peninsula forming a land bridge in Southwest Asia. Egypt is thus a transcontinental country, and a major power in Africa, the Mediterranean Basin, the Middle East and the Muslim world...
from its departing President
President of Egypt
The President of the Arab Republic of Egypt is the head of state of Egypt.Under the Constitution of Egypt, the president is also the supreme commander of the armed forces and head of the executive branch of the Egyptian government....
Hosni Mubarak
Hosni Mubarak
Muhammad Hosni Sayyid Mubarak is a former Egyptian politician and military commander. He served as the fourth President of Egypt from 1981 to 2011....
on February 11, 2011.
The junta meets regularly, as well as in times of a national emergency, with the President of Egypt serving as its chairman. During the course of the 2011 revolution, the Supreme Council of the Armed Forces met first on February 9, 2011 under the chairmanship of the former Egyptian President, Hosni Mubarak
Hosni Mubarak
Muhammad Hosni Sayyid Mubarak is a former Egyptian politician and military commander. He served as the fourth President of Egypt from 1981 to 2011....
.
The Council met for the first time without the chairmanship of the President on February 10, and issued their first press statement, which signaled that the council was about to assume power which they did the next day following Mubarak's relinquishing of power to the military. The military junta
Military junta
A junta or military junta is a government led by a committee of military leaders. The term derives from the Spanish language junta meaning committee, specifically a board of directors...
is headed by the Field Marshal
Field Marshal
Field Marshal is a military rank. Traditionally, it is the highest military rank in an army.-Etymology:The origin of the rank of field marshal dates to the early Middle Ages, originally meaning the keeper of the king's horses , from the time of the early Frankish kings.-Usage and hierarchical...
Mohamed Hussein Tantawi who served as the Minister of Defense under Mubarak, and includes the service heads and other senior commanders of the Egyptian Armed Forces, namely Air Marshal Reda Mahmoud Hafez Mohamed
Reda Mahmoud Hafez Mohamed
Air Marshal Reda Mahmoud Hafez Mohamed is the current Commander of the Egyptian Air Force.-Biography:Reda Mahmoud Hafez Mohamed graduated from the Egyptian Air Academy in 1972 with a Bachelor's degree in Aviation and Military Sciences. The following year he saw active service in the October or...
, Air Force commander, Lt. Gen. Sami Hafez Anan
Sami Hafez Anan
General Sami Hafez Anan or Enan is the Chief of Staff of the Egyptian Armed Forces. From 1990 to 1992 he was the Egyptain Defence Attaché to Morocco. More recently he served as the Commander of the Egyptian Air Defence Forces from 2001 to 2005...
, Armed Forces Chief of Staff, Lt. Gen. Abd El Aziz Seif-Eldeen
Abd El Aziz Seif-Eldeen
Abd El Aziz Seif-Eldeen is a Lieutenant General of the Egyptian Armed Forces.-Biography:He joined military college in 1968, and graduated two years later. Seif-Eldeen advanced to the position of commander of the Egyptian Air Defence Forces in 2005...
, Commander of Air Defense, and Vice Admiral Mohab Mamish
Mohab Mamish
Vice Admiral Mohab Mamish is the Commander in Chief of the Egyptian Navy.-Biography:Mohab Mamish was born on August 6th, 1948. He graduated from the Egyptian Naval Academy in 1971. He received a fellowship from the Nasser Military Academy...
, Navy Commander in Chief.
Members
The Council is made up of 20 members.- Field MarshalField MarshalField Marshal is a military rank. Traditionally, it is the highest military rank in an army.-Etymology:The origin of the rank of field marshal dates to the early Middle Ages, originally meaning the keeper of the king's horses , from the time of the early Frankish kings.-Usage and hierarchical...
Mohamed Hussein Tantawi (chairman) - commander-in-chief of the Egyptian Armed Forces and Minister of Defense and Military Production - Lieutenant GeneralLieutenant GeneralLieutenant General is a military rank used in many countries. The rank traces its origins to the Middle Ages where the title of Lieutenant General was held by the second in command on the battlefield, who was normally subordinate to a Captain General....
Sami Hafez AnanSami Hafez AnanGeneral Sami Hafez Anan or Enan is the Chief of Staff of the Egyptian Armed Forces. From 1990 to 1992 he was the Egyptain Defence Attaché to Morocco. More recently he served as the Commander of the Egyptian Air Defence Forces from 2001 to 2005...
(deputy chairman) - chief of staff of the Egyptian Armed Forces - Vice AdmiralVice AdmiralVice admiral is a senior naval rank of a three-star flag officer, which is equivalent to lieutenant general in the other uniformed services. A vice admiral is typically senior to a rear admiral and junior to an admiral...
Mohab MamishMohab MamishVice Admiral Mohab Mamish is the Commander in Chief of the Egyptian Navy.-Biography:Mohab Mamish was born on August 6th, 1948. He graduated from the Egyptian Naval Academy in 1971. He received a fellowship from the Nasser Military Academy...
– commander-in-chief of the Egyptian Navy - Air MarshalAir MarshalAir marshal is a three-star air-officer rank which originated in and continues to be used by the Royal Air Force...
Reda Mahmoud Hafez MohamedReda Mahmoud Hafez MohamedAir Marshal Reda Mahmoud Hafez Mohamed is the current Commander of the Egyptian Air Force.-Biography:Reda Mahmoud Hafez Mohamed graduated from the Egyptian Air Academy in 1972 with a Bachelor's degree in Aviation and Military Sciences. The following year he saw active service in the October or...
– commander of the Egyptian Air ForceEgyptian Air ForceThe Egyptian Air Force, or EAF , is the aviation branch of the Egyptian Armed Forces. The EAF is headed by an Air Marshal . Currently, the commander of the Egyptian Air Force is Air Marshal Reda Mahmoud Hafez Mohamed... - Lieutenant General Abd El Aziz Seif-EldeenAbd El Aziz Seif-EldeenAbd El Aziz Seif-Eldeen is a Lieutenant General of the Egyptian Armed Forces.-Biography:He joined military college in 1968, and graduated two years later. Seif-Eldeen advanced to the position of commander of the Egyptian Air Defence Forces in 2005...
– commander of the Egyptian Air Defense ForcesEgyptian Air Defense CommandThe Egyptian Air Defense Command or EADC , is Egypt's military command responsible for air defense, part of the Military of Egypt. Egypt patterned its Air Defense Force after the Soviet Air Defence Forces, which integrated all its air defense capabilities – antiaircraft guns, rocket and... - Major GeneralMajor GeneralMajor general or major-general is a military rank used in many countries. It is derived from the older rank of sergeant major general. A major general is a high-ranking officer, normally subordinate to the rank of lieutenant general and senior to the ranks of brigadier and brigadier general...
Hassan al-Rowini – Commander of the Central Military Zone - Major General Ismail Atman – Director of the Morale Affairs Department
- Major General Mohsen al-FanagryMohsen al-FanagryMajor General Mohsen Al-Fanagry is an Egyptian Military Leader works as the assistant of Defense Minister. He is a member of the Supreme Council of the Armed Forces which rules Egypt since Hosni Mubarak resigned in February 2011. He was given the responsibility of announcing the military...
– Assistant Defense Minister - Major General Mohammed Abdel Nabi – Commander of the Border Guard
- Major General Mohamed Saber Attia - Chief of Operations for the Armed Forces
- Major General Mohamed Hegazy – Commander of the Second Field Army
- Major General Sedky Sobhy – Commander of the Third Field Army
- Major General Hassan Mohammed Ahmed - Commander of the Northern Military Zone
- Major General Mohsen El-Shazly - Commander of the Southern Military Zone
- Major General Mahmoud Ibrahim Hegazy - Commander of the Western Military Zone
- Six other military commanders (possibly including the four chiefs of staff of the four branches of the Egyptian Armed Forces).
Actions
Prior to Mubarak's Resignation
The Supreme Council released its First statement on Thursday, February 10, 2011 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 then-president Hosni MubarakHosni Mubarak
Muhammad Hosni Sayyid Mubarak is a former Egyptian politician and military commander. He served as the fourth President of Egypt from 1981 to 2011....
was not present in the meeting as the Supreme Commander of the Armed Forces, however the meeting was headed by Defense Minister Field Marshal Mohamed Hussein Tantawi.
Assuming power
The Supreme Council of the Armed Forces in his third statement issued on the evening of Friday, February 11, 2011 Shortly after the announcement of Mubarak's resignation, 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 appraise 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, February 12, the Council released his fourth statement, which he 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 intends to suspend emergency laws that had been in effect for three decades, and move towards free and fair presidential elections, and provide for a safe transition to a free democratic order. One of their first actions were to dissolve the Parliament of EgyptParliament of Egypt
The Parliament of Egypt is the currently dissolved bicameral legislature of Egypt. The Parliament is located in Cairo, Egypt's capital. As the legislative branch of the Egyptian government, the Parliament enacts laws, approves the general policy of the State, the general plan for economic and...
, suspend the Constitution of Egypt
Constitution of Egypt
The Constitution of the Arab Republic of Egypt was the fundamental law of Egypt. It was adopted on September 11, 1971 through a public referendum. It was later amended in 1980, 2005 and 2007. It was proclaimed to update the democratic representative system in assertion of the rule of law,...
, and an announcement of free, open presidential
Egyptian presidential election, 2011
A presidential election is expected to be held in Egypt in March or April 2012. It will be the second even remotely competitive presidential election in Egypt's history, following the 2005 election and presidential confirmation referendums in 1999, 1993, and earlier...
and parliamentary
Egyptian parliamentary election, 2011
An early parliamentary election is currently being held in Egypt from November 2011 onwards, following the revolution which ousted President Hosni Mubarak, after which the Supreme Council of the Armed Forces dissolved the parliament of Egypt...
elections before the year's end and within six months.
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 Israel
Israel
The State of Israel is a parliamentary republic located in the Middle East, along the eastern shore of the Mediterranean Sea...
i Prime Minister
Prime Minister of Israel
The Prime Minister of Israel is the head of the Israeli government and the most powerful political figure in Israel . The prime minister is the country's chief executive. The official residence of the prime minister, Beit Rosh Hamemshala is in Jerusalem...
Benjamin Netanyahu
Benjamin Netanyahu
Benjamin "Bibi" Netanyahu is the current Prime Minister of Israel. He serves also as the Chairman of the Likud Party, as a Knesset member, as the Health Minister of Israel, as the Pensioner Affairs Minister of Israel and as the Economic Strategy Minister of Israel.Netanyahu is the first and, to...
.
On August 7, 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.
Since taking power the council has overseen the trial of 7000 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 the 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.`
The SCAF was heavily criticized following violent confrontations between armed soldiers at the headquarters of the state television and radio services (known as the Maspiro 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. State TV broadcast messages of Copts attacking the army and called on Egyptians to join the army. Armed men joined the army in attacking what had been a peaceful protest. 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. Later, video evidence was broadcast showing army vehicles hitting groups of protestors. An editorial in The Washington Post
The Washington Post
The Washington Post is Washington, D.C.'s largest newspaper and its oldest still-existing paper, founded in 1877. Located in the capital of the United States, The Post has a particular emphasis on national politics. D.C., Maryland, and Virginia editions are printed for daily circulation...
blasted the SCAF for what it called a "shameful" response to the violence directed against the Coptic protestors.
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%.
External links
- Egypt’s Supreme Council of the Armed Forces: Statements and Key Leaders, The New York TimesThe New York TimesThe New York Times is an American daily newspaper founded and continuously published in New York City since 1851. The New York Times has won 106 Pulitzer Prizes, the most of any news organization...
- http://www.sis.gov.eg/En/Story.aspx?sid=53688