THE Abdel Fattah al-Sisi won Egypt’s presidential election, securing a third consecutive term, the electoral commission announced, with him pointing out that the election was voters’ rejection of the “inhumane war” in neighboring Gaza.

According to the National Electoral Authority, President Sisi is re-elected with a percentage of 89.6%, as Egypt tries to recover from the economic crisis and at the same time manage the risk of the war extending to its borders, in the Sinai Peninsula.

Some voters said that the outbreak of war in Gaza pushed them to vote for Sisi which projects itself as a pillar of stability in an unstable region. This argument has also proven effective for his allies in the Gulf and Western countries who provide financial support to his government.

“Egyptians lined up to vote, not just to choose their president but to express to the whole world the rejection of this inhumane war”, Sisi characteristically said in his speech after the results were announced. He added that Egypt must do everything it can to stop the war between Israel and Hamas in Gaza, which he said is the main challenge for Cairo.

Since the Israeli forces’ shelling and invasion of the Gaza Strip, following the Hamas attack on Israel, much of the enclave has been leveled and most of its residents have been left homeless. Egypt has warned that it will not allow an “exit” of Gazans to its territory.

“I am renewing my agreement with youthat together we will make every effort to continue building this new democracy based on our shared vision,” Sisi added in his recorded message broadcast on public television.

The 69-year-old president’s new six-year term begins in April and will be his last as only three consecutive presidential terms are allowed after the revision of the Constitution.