Edited by Ingy Ashraf,
On November 15, 2023
1-The Egyptian presidential elections are scheduled to take place between December 10 and 12, 2023, In your opinion, who would you prefer to be the main competitor to president Sisi in the upcoming elections?
(Mohamed El-Sadat to Al Mawqa3, for me among these candidates, I would choose Farid Zahran)
Honestly, I believe that the presidential election is over since President Sisi announced his candidacy, but ofcourse since it’s constitutional right and practice, we have seen some candidates whom they declare their intention to run. I know that their chances almost nil but it’s their right to try. For me among these candidates, I would choose Farid Zahran of the Social Democratic Party. He is someone who speaks the same language of the opposition and has a proven track record of taking a stand and speaking out for the people.”
2-Does Egypt need a democratic leader or someone who can solve the economic issues?
(Mohamed El-Sadat to Al Mawqa3, We’ve witnessed the surge in prices and inflation, making life challenging for everyone)
You can’t differ, both economic and political reforms are essential for Egyptian presidential reforms are particularly crucial as they directly impact people’s lives. We’ve witnessed the surge in prices and inflation, making life challenging for everyone, regardless of their financial status. To address these economic challenges, we need to empower a team of experts with full authority to implement necessary measures. Similarly, in the political reforms, we’ve been eagerly anticipating the implementation of the recommendations arising from the national dialogue. I hope that the upcoming months will bring tangible steps towards establishing free and fair democratic practices, allowing people to fully enjoy their political and civil rights, that’s what I would like to see happening on the upcoming months.
3-You have spoken in more than one press release about the Grand Ethiopian Renaissance Dam? Do you believe that Egypt has lost its right and authority over the Nile River?
(Mohamed El-Sadat to Al Mawqa3, so far we have not achieved anything)
I think it’s a very serious issue, and so far we have not achieved anything. We have been trying in a diplomatic way through the association.
“Ethiopian” and nothing has happened, so I think the time has come that we have to engage the international community to make pressure on “Ethiopia” that they re-consider their position and that they should sit at the table and try to find a way to reach an agreement. This security council, the “United Nations,” has to some extent made a very clear decision because this is the matter of life for these Egyptians. So this is a very serious challenge. I hope that Egypt will try to find ways and means by which we can secure our water resources.
4- What exactly the time we should anything in this matter?
(Mohamed El-Sadat to Al Mawqa3, It has to be done yesterday, the most important thing is that the flow of water coming from Ethiopia should not be stopped or controlled by Ethiopians)
It has to be done yesterday, not even today. It has to move because it’s becoming very serious, and Egypt cannot afford all this. What we have been trying to do to save water by making desalination plants, trying to look for water walls, and building canals is important and helps, but the most important thing is that the flow of water coming from Ethiopia should not be stopped or controlled by Ethiopians. Something has to be done. We actually have experts and highly qualified experts in water management, and they are the ones who should speak up and say what needs to be done. But we, as politicians, believe that this is serious, and if people in the Delta or in Upper Egypt cannot find water for irrigation of their agricultural land or we cannot find enough water to drink, then it would be a big problem for Egypt.
5- Do you expect any sorts of crash in the coming years as a result of political instability and rising prices and as we can see blocking cadres policy? Why?
This kind of question sometimes causes some concern. They always ask, as they are a little bit worried because of this economic and financial pressure on Egyptians, that they might see social revolution or social mass production. I don’t see it happening simply because Egyptians are tired and they need peace and stability, they care more about it now. Living standards, so they don’t have this disability for demonstration or protesting, but of course, seeing this, they are waiting to see some good news for the government.
6- what the kind of positive news ?
Means that there is opportunities for employment, investment and prices can be controlled, they would like to see results out of all this economic reforms and out of the agreements we have with “IMF “, something which could enjoy and could feel the government care about its own people .
In political they would like to see the political space is open, people can practice their rights and see more active political parties, moreover free media where everyone can express their views, they can also see some releases of those who are detained in prisons, young, old, youth, and girls. They would like to see some tolerance from the government to help people enjoy their lives.
7-what do you think about the media nowadays?
(Mohamed El-Sadat to Al Mawqa3, they only speak to the government; I think the media has to be more open to different fictions about society)
Most of the media nowadays is not helping anyone because they do not really have different opinions, equal chances for opposition, or different views, they don’t. They only speak to the government; I think the media has to be more open to different fictions about society. The way I see it, it isn’t happening.
8- Who is your favorite TV presenter?
All the presenters and journalists are the same; for me, I follow international media and read newspapers like “El-Sherouk, Ahram, and Akhbar Al Youm.” Those are my 3 favorites.
(Mohamed El-Sadat to Al Mawqa3, the best TV presenter for me is Ibrahim Eissa)
Sometimes I watch “Ibrahim Eissa, Lames el Hadidy, and Amr Adeb “ , and sometimes BBC Arabic they run a very good talk show, the best TV presenter for me is Ibrahim Eissa.
9- What is your opinion of boycotting campaigns against companies that support Israel?
(Mohamed El-Sadat to Al Mawqa3, if boycotting something that would help and make a difference then I’m into it)
I’m bit against having this kind of boycotting if it helps but if it’s actually make impact on Egyptians, workers, and labors then we should be careful because after all, those people actually they are very supportive of the Palestinian people trying to help them by sending some assistance, It’s all a complicated situation, but if it’s something that would help and make a difference then I’m into it.
I don’t use much of these products, not only now but even all my time. I’m not very into drinking “7 Up or Pepsi” and this is for years, I have been using some Egyptian products that are coming out very good.
10-Where is the role of international organizations for Palestinian issue?
(Mohamed El-Sadat to Al Mawqa3, international organizations all are supporting Palestine and trying to help them, but international organizations cannot take any action)
They are all there and trying. We have seen many international organizations making very clear statements, saying that what is happening in Gaza is not acceptable and that they have been sending messages to Israel and the international community that this cannot continue. They are all supporting Palestine and trying to help them, but international organizations cannot take any action; they can only help by supporting, but the actions have to come from governments, I mean Arab or even Eroupean, and Americans, whom they are now, can make pressure on Israelis, and we have seen the big shift happen in the western media, and also the people demonstrations happening supporting Palestine in “UK, France, Germany, and Spain.” Even in United States they are all against this aggression against the civilians in Gaza. All Arabs, we should also be sending a very clear message to Isreal that they will never have peace or stability as long as they behave this way.
11- In your opinion why aren’t Arab organizations taking any action till now?
(Mohamed El-Sadat to Al Mawqa3, I’m sure Arabs are all trying, but it’s a very complicated situation)
In all Arab countries and governments in the Arab world, no one is happy with what is happening; they are doing their best to their best to their interests. I mean I’m sure they are all trying, but it’s a very complicated situation.
12- What is the message you want to say to the world?
( Mohamed El-Sadat to Al Mawqa3, what happened starting in “7 October” bring back again the Palestinian issue on the table and now there is a very high attention to this problem)
What I would say is that the only way for peace and stability in the region is for Palestine to get up with the isreals, and the western world have to sit at the table to try to reach a comprehensive peace settlement to one state solution or two states whatever they will agree about, but time has come and what have happened in “ 7 October” proven that now there has to be away for final settlement, in my opinion what happen starting in “7 October” bring back again the Palestinian issue on the table and now there is a very high attention to this problem and time have come that we have find a solution hopefully for everyone.
(Mohamed El-Sadat to Al Mawqa3, He (President Abdelfattah El Sisi) won’t accept that Palestinians to move from Gaza to sinai
Egypt is taking very clear position and speaking as a politician as an opposition we are actually supporting president El-Sisi in his position regarding what is happening, he is clear that he respects or committed to our peace agreement and also he is committed that he will try his best to help the Palestinians by sending them humanitarian aid (support with food, water, fuel, and all medical support) and that he won’t accept that Palestinians to move from Gaza to sinai, this is a position which we all respect and support.
(Mohamed El-Sadat to Al Mawqa3, USA have to reconsider its position and the blind support Israel is not helping)
For U.S.A I believe they have to reconsider their position and the blind support Israel is not helping. Following and watching what is happening in the streets of America, in congress, and media I think they l realize that they should stop this blind support to Israel and time have come to speak for peace.
13- what is the message you want to send to “Farid Zahran “ ?
(Mohamed El-Sadat to Al Mawqa3 about Farid Zahran, try to make sure that your messages are everywhere starting from the president, government and all other institutions try to make it clear, that time have come that we need to see change happening in the policies and change happening in the which government take decisions)
I know that he has been making statements that he has been suspended from the “el – Adl Party” and that they have suspended their membership in the civil democratic movement, but this is something they say temporarily that they will reconsider after the presidential election is over.
I would say “Farid zahran “ Who is close friend and I know that you’re sincere and you’re trying to open up political space and trying also to have economic and social reforms happening in Egypt , it is a chance, I know that your chances of being a president is all most zero but at least try to create a debate, try to make sure that your messages are everywhere starting from the president, government and all other institutions try to make it clear, that time have come that we need to see change happening in the policies and change happening in the which government take decisions, we would like to see more activite parliament and more institutions I think if he manage to do this then this is enough.
