Egypt’s Strategic Shift: Ashraf Zaher Appointed Defense Minister as Sisi Swears in New Cabinet

President Abdel Fattah El-Sisi presided over the swearing-in ceremony of Egypt’s new cabinet on Wednesday, led by PM Mostafa Madbouly. The most notable change is the appointment of Lieutenant General Ashraf Salem Zaher, former Director of the Military Academy, as Minister of Defense, succeeding Abdul Majeed Saqr. In a major administrative overhaul, the President ordered the abolition of the Ministry of Public Business Sector, streamlining the state’s executive structure.

The new lineup emphasizes economic recovery and national security, featuring Hussein Issa as Deputy PM for Economic Affairs and Mohamed Farid as Minister of Investment and Foreign Trade. Notable figures like Badr Abdelatty (Foreign Affairs) and Kamel El-Wazir (Transportation) retain key roles, joined by international experts such as Hany Azer. The government’s mandate is clear: stabilize the economy, enhance energy production, and safeguard Egypt's regional interests amid rising global tensions.