President el-Sisi Replaces Egypt’s Powerful Intelligence Chief Amid Regional Tensions
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Roshan Amiri
- . October 18, 2024
- . Update: October 18, 2024 6:55 pm
Egyptian President Abdel Fattah el-Sisi unexpectedly replaced long-serving head of the country’s intelligence agencies General Abbas Kamel on Wednesday. For years Kamel, who possessed great authority both domestically and abroad, was instrumental in forming Egypt’s security and foreign policies. Announced by state media, Maj. Gen. Hassan Mahmoud Rashad, Kamel’s former deputy, would take over the General Intelligence Service (GIS), therefore bringing about a major change in the highest levels of Egyptian government. The shift coincides with a particularly stormy period for Egypt since the continuous fighting between Israel and Hamas causes regional unrest, stresses the nation’s economy, and calls into doubt its long-standing peace pact with Israel.
The replacement of Kamel, a person usually considered as second only to President el-Sisi in terms of influence, has rocked Egypt’s political and security machinery. For many, Kamel was the living example of Egypt’s potent intelligence apparatus, keeping the president under control and arbitrating some of the most important Middle Eastern problems. His leaving the top intelligence post begs issues about Egypt’s future as it negotiates internal problems as well as its role as a mediator in the regional conflict.
The Emergence and Authority of General Abbas Kamel
Beginning in their early days in the Egyptian military, General Abbas Kamel’s career has been closely entwined with that of President el-Sisi. Together, the two men ascended the ranks; Kamel was el-Sisi’s chief of staff while he oversaw Egypt’s military intelligence prior to serving as defense minister and then grabbing the presidency in 2013. Kamel has stayed one of el-Sisi’s most reliable friends since then, helping him to manage both home and foreign issues and thus strengthen his position.
Under Kamel’s direction, el-Sisi’s authoritarian government turned mostly on the General Intelligence Service as its instrument of control. It was in charge of supervising crackdowns on political rivals, making sure the parliament of Egypt behaved in line with presidential interests, and managing the media coverage of the nation. Kamel was crucial in formulating Egypt’s internal policies so that the opposition stayed underprivileged and that any possible political threat was quickly removed. Even as other senior officials were sidelined or discounted, his allegiance to el-Sisi was relentless.
Apart from his domestic impact, Kamel was also very important for Egypt’s foreign policy. Often overshadowing Egypt’s civilian foreign ministry, which saw its influence fade throughout his term, he seized command of important diplomatic projects. Kamel routinely visited nearby nations, preserving Egypt’s ties to Gulf nations offering essential economic aid, and arbitrating difficult international disputes including the Israeli-Palestinian conflict. His extensive ties to world intelligence leaders, including Israeli spy head David Barnea and CIA Director William J. Burns, helped him to be positioned as a major actor in regional diplomacy. Kamel’s most well-known position was helping to negotiate cease-fires between Israel and Hamas. He was instrumental in the discussions resulting in a cease-fire in May 2021, therefore momentarily stopping the bloodshed between Israel and Gaza.
Leveraging its ties with Hamas, Israel, and international powers like the United States and Qatar, his knowledge and contacts helped Egypt to keep its reputation as a vital mediator in the crisis. But the return of hostilities in late 2023 has put more strain on these diplomatic initiatives since cease-fire negotiations stagnate among the continuing conflict.
Uncertain Reasons for Kamel’s Replacement
The reasons for General Kamel’s replacement are still unknown, and considering the secrecy usually surrounding Egypt’s government’s inner operations, it is doubtful that a thorough justification will surface. Some commentators speculate that the action might be connected to the continuous conflict in Gaza, which has tested Egypt’s political and economic stability. Egypt is under growing pressure from both Israel and the United States to participate actively in establishing a long-term truce as the crisis drags on, while concurrently handling its own ties with Hamas and other Palestinian factions.
Already in terrible shape before the war, Egypt’s economy has suffered far more from the fighting. Rising inflation, trade interruptions, and the expenses of housing immigrants escaping the bloodshed have aggravated the nation’s financial situation. In this regard, el-Sisi might have seen the intelligence service needed fresh leadership in order to more successfully negotiate these obstacles. Although Maj. Gen. Rashad, Kamel’s former deputy, is probably aware of the nuances of Egypt’s foreign policy and security apparatus, it is yet unknown how his leadership approach would differ from that of his predecessor.
Another scenario is that Kamel’s replacement is a part of a more extensive rearranging inside Egypt’s security apparatus. In recent years, el-Sisi has shown a readiness to demote or remove even his closest friends should he believe they challenge his authority. Following Egypt’s intelligence agencies failing to notify el-Sisi of a possible election threat from inside the military, Kamel was named head of the General Intelligence Service in 2018. Kamel was seen at the time as a safe choice—someone devoted to el-Sisi who could be relied upon to uphold rank order.
Though the precise nature of his new post is yet unknown, his reassignment as a special envoy and presidential adviser could indicate that he is being relocated to a less powerful capacity.
The Function of Egyptian Intelligence Services Under Kamel
Maintaining Egypt’s political stability was mostly dependent on the General Intelligence Service, led by Kamel. It managed the state’s connection with political parties, made sure parliament passed laws in line with el-Sisi’s agenda, and even oversaw most of the nation’s media. Major television channels, news sources, and entertainment firms controlled or under influence by the intelligence agency shaped public opinion and advanced government narrative by means of their influence.
This control also included cultural events, with movies and TV series supported by the government bolstering the message of the rule. The GIS started to have a major economic role in Egypt at the same period. Large swaths of the economy were under agency control, and other arms of the military made investments in sectors ranging from bottled water manufacture to cement production. These companies could accumulate great riches since they were typically free from the taxes and rules applicable to private enterprises.
This economic might gave el-Sisi’s administration a financial cushion, enabling it to reward loyalists and keep the support of important constituencies even as Egypt’s economy slumped. Kamel’s agency also got embroiled in foreign corruption issues. Most famously, it connected to the case of U.S. Senator Robert Menendez, who was accused of paying bribes in return for directing American weaponry and aid to Egypt. Kamel was not specifically linked, but his involvement in handling Egypt’s foreign policy made him central in the accusations, therefore underscoring the dubious character of Egypt’s foreign policy.
What direction should Egypt’s intelligence services be headed?
Egypt’s intelligence system is in flux now Maj. Gen. Rashad is leading the General Intelligence Service. Although Rashad, who has collaborated closely with Kamel, is probably going to keep many of the same policies, his leadership will be under great scrutiny as Egypt negotiates a difficult moment of regional unrest and economic hardship. The future of Egypt as a mediator in the Middle East will depend much on how Rashad handles Egypt’s contacts with important foreign entities such Israel, Hamas, and the United States.
For President el-Sisi, Kamel’s replacement could indicate a more all-encompassing approach to rejuvenate his government as Egypt faces increasing internal and foreign demands. It remains to be seen whether Rashad can occupy Kamel’s place and preserve the balance of power keeping el-Sisi’s cabinet intact. The direction of Egypt will be greatly shaped by the leadership of its intelligence services as the nation suffers more economic difficulty and a growing threat of regional unrest.
The political scene of Egypt undergoes a major change with General Kamel’s departure, one that might have broad consequences for the nation’s internal stability as well as its Middle Eastern posture. The months to come will test Egypt’s capacity to handle domestic issues as well as its influence in the regional struggle as its intelligence services change to fit new leadership.
