Egyptian President Abdel Fattah al-Sisi announced the appointment of Major General Hassan Mahmoud Rashad as the new head of the General Intelligence Agency on Wednesday. This decision comes as Rashad takes over from Abbas Kamel, who will now serve in an advisory capacity to the presidency. The General Intelligence Agency has played a crucial role under Sisi’s administration, addressing vital foreign policy concerns, including conflicts in Gaza, Sudan, and Libya. Additionally, the agency has been heavily involved in managing domestic security matters, particularly in relation to the government’s prolonged crackdown on political dissent.
Rashad, who previously held the position of deputy to Kamel, has been responsible for overseeing significant initiatives, including the improvement of Egypt’s relations with Iran. This shift in leadership raises questions about potential changes in the agency’s direction and effectiveness, though Kamel has been a longstanding and trusted advisor to Sisi, frequently representing Egypt in high-level meetings with foreign leaders and at international summits.
Kamel, now 68 years old, has led the intelligence agency since 2018 and has extensive experience in military intelligence, along with a background as Sisi’s chief of staff. Recently, he expressed a need to delegate some of his extensive responsibilities due to health issues, which may have influenced this leadership change. Meanwhile, another senior intelligence official has taken charge of the ongoing negotiations for a ceasefire in Gaza, where Egypt is acting as a mediator in conjunction with the United States and Qatar.
Along with the announcement, the presidency released photographs showing Rashad and Kamel in a meeting with Sisi, during which Rashad took the oath of office. Rashad is an alumnus of Cairo’s Military Technical College, a renowned institution that has historically served as a training ground for many leaders within Egypt’s intelligence community.
