January 25th between National Memory and State Reframing
January 25 occupies a complex and deeply symbolic position in Egypt’s national consciousness. Historically linked to Police Day as a symbol of sacrifice for the state, it later evolved into a defining moment in modern political awareness, reflecting popular aspirations for dignity, justice, and stability.
Against this backdrop, President Abdel Fattah El-Sisi’s speech on Freedom Day should be read as a politically significant discursive moment, rather than a ceremonial address, through which the Egyptian state seeks to reframe this date within a narrative of statehood, stability, and responsible regional engagement amid a fluid international order.
Palestine as a Source of Historical and Political Legitimacy
Opening the speech with Palestine, the President recalled Egypt’s role since 1948 and the wars fought in support of the Palestinian cause. This historical recounting served a political argument: war has never been a sustainable solution, and lasting stability can only be achieved through a political settlement based on the establishment of a Palestinian state and the reconstruction of Gaza.
Egypt as a Pillar of Regional Stability
The speech reaffirmed Egypt’s role in maintaining regional balance and confronting terrorism, positioning the state not merely as a crisis-affected actor but as a producer of regional stability, a framing consistent with international perceptions of Egypt’s strategic role.
Global Disorder and the Erosion of International Norms
By linking ideological, economic, and social turmoil to refugee flows and the waste of peoples’ resources, the speech diagnosed a deeper crisis: the erosion of international law and humanitarian principles underpinning the post–World War II order.
Refugees as “Guests” and the Sovereign Distinction
President Sisi’s consistent reference to refugees as “guests” reflects a deliberate discursive choice that frames asylum as a moral and cultural responsibility rather than a security burden. Simultaneously, the speech drew a firm line between humanitarian asylum and irregular migration, treated as a form of transnational organized crime.
Warning against Forced Displacement
The President warned that any forced displacement of Palestinians from Gaza would not only undermine the Palestinian cause but also export instability and refugee crises toward Europe, with serious security, political, and social repercussions.
Militias and the Defense of the Nation-State
The speech rejected the normalization of militias, emphasizing that non-state armed actors ultimately erode national institutions and destabilize states, a lesson drawn from regional experiences.
Conclusion
The international dimension of the speech articulates Egypt’s vision in an era of global uncertainty: Palestine as legitimacy, refugees as humanity, migration control as sovereignty, and the nation-state as the cornerstone of order.
