CAIRO — Sami Balah, the secretary-general of the Arabism Egypt Party headed by Sami Anan, a former general, announced Jan. 11 that Anan will run for president.
The announcement sparked controversy in political circles due to Anan’s military background, which is similar to that of former Prime Minister Ahmed Shafiq. Shafiq, who served under former President Hosni Mubarak, withdrew his candidacy after being deported from the United Arab Emirates to Egypt. Also sharing this military background is President Abdel Fattah al-Sisi. Shafiq was a lieutenant general and Sisi served as field marshal.
The debate over candidates with a military background arose after Shafiq’s withdrawal from the presidential race. Shafiq had announced in a video Nov. 29 his insistence on running. His moves led to his deportation to Egypt, and he finally withdrew officially in a statement released Jan. 7.
A source close to Anan’s campaign team told Al-Monitor on condition of anonymity that Anan no longer accepts the marginalization he faced when he was dismissed as military chief of staff by Islamist President Mohammed Morsi on Aug. 12, 2012. Even though Morsi was overthrown the next year, Anan has not been considered for any administrative or political position in the government.
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