The military body that governs Egypt's security, economy, and licenses

History · Published 18 October 2026 Swipe more like this →

In short: While it functions as a governing council of senior officers, Egypt’s Supreme Council of the Armed Forces wields influence far beyond the battlefield. From issuing private radio licenses to approving coastal hotel construction, this statutory body remains a central pillar of Egyptian state power.

The Supreme Council of the Armed Forces (SCAF) serves as a governing body of senior military officers in Egypt. Its modern role was solidified following the 2011 revolution when it assumed governance from President Hosni Mubarak on February 11, 2011. During this interim period, the SCAF issued a constitutional declaration in March 2011 that introduced new measures such as presidential term limits and more open elections while incorporating provisions from the 1971 constitution.

The council's origins trace back to the Free Officers Movement of the late 1940s. In 1952, these officers seized power in a coup-cum-revolution, initially ruling as the Revolutionary Command Council until 1954. In December 1954, a statutory entity called the SCAF was established by President Gamal Abdel Nasser, consisting of 25 high-ranking military personnel from the Air Defence Forces, Air Force, Navy, and Army. This transition was intended as a concession to an army that had already controlled the country since 1952.

While its primary mandate is 'National Security,' the SCAF's peacetime licensing powers grant it significant economic and political reach. For instance, the Air Force handles aviation licenses for private companies, while the Army issues private radio station licenses. Furthermore, investors seeking to build hotels or resorts along Egypt's coastal areas must obtain permission from the Navy. This structure reflects a historical model of military guidance over state security that may have been influenced by Prussian and German Supreme War Councils during World War I.

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