Why did Egypt’s military remove Mohamed Morsi from the presidency in July 2013?

Created from Britannica articles using AI. AI can make mistakes, so verify using Britannica articles.

In July 2013, the Egyptian military, led by General Abdel Fattah al-Sisi, removed Mohamed Morsi from the presidency following massive, widespread protests against his administration.12

By 2013, Morsi’s government faced intense criticism from activists who accused it of failing to address a weak economy, deteriorating security, and declining public services. Furthermore, many Egyptians felt excluded from the political process, particularly after a new constitution was drafted and approved without the input of secular or Christian groups.1

The crisis reached a breaking point on June 30, 2013, the anniversary of Morsi’s inauguration, when demonstrations against his rule reached an intensity not seen since the 2011 revolution. When Morsi refused to step down or agree to early elections following a 48-hour military ultimatum, the armed forces intervened on July 3, 2013, suspending the constitution and deposing him. While the Muslim Brotherhood condemned the move as an attack on democracy, the military maintained that it was acting in accordance with the will of the people and that Morsi had prioritized the interests of his organization over those of the nation.12