[1]The ebay entry for the sale of Egyptian president Abdel Fattah El Sisi. Source: @AishaEldorg [1]/Twitter
Egyptian President Abdel Fattah Al Sisi announced that if he could, he would sell himself to help the country's struggling economy and support Egyptians. Within minutes, an entry was up on eBay, offering the president for sale to the highest bidder.
The entry, which is no longer available [2], read:
For sale: Field Marshall and a Doctor of Philosophers, with a military background, used by a doctor
Sisi made the remark in a televised address while unveiling Egypt's economic development plan for 2030, where he also urged Egyptians to dig deeper into their pockets and donate to the country using text messages on the phone.
On Twitter, Sherif Mansour quips:
Sis today: If I can be sold, I would, but I can't. Guess what? he is already on Ebay. Started at $1.5 only. A Deal https://t.co/UNQltgrJKq [3]
— Sherif Mansour (@sherifmnsour) February 24, 2016 [4]
Abdurrahman Ezz notes:
فرصة لن تتكرر للبيع أو الايجار :
عرص برتبة مشير ، رئيس عصابة حاليا ، قادر على اضحاك الملايين في عز مصيبتهم 😂😅
العرض محدود والحجز بالأسبقية— ツعبدالرحمن عز (@Abdurrahmanezz) February 24, 2016 [5]
For sale or rent: an opportunity that will never be repeated. A [pimp] with the rank of Field Marshall. He currently heads a mob. Able to make millions laugh at the height of their misery. The offer is limited and available on a first come, first serve basis
And Dalia Ezzat adds:
Responding to Sisi's emotional speech where he noted he's willing to sell himself for Egypt: Sisi for $1 on eBay https://t.co/jl9HDhuu4S [6]
— Dalia Ezzat (@DaliaEzzat_) February 24, 2016 [7]
Without even trying to suppress their giggles, Egyptians continued to monitor the bidding site, until the entry was removed, watching closely as the bid went from one US dollar to a stellar 100,000 US dollars.
Dima S tweets the bid at the half-way mark:
#SisiForSale [8] on ebay right now. His price is up to US $52,700.00. https://t.co/tSi4VWHfwh [9] via @eBay [10]
— Dima S. ديمة (@YasminWaQahwa) February 24, 2016 [11]
And blogger Zeinobia exclaims:
الله اكبر وصل ل 100,000 https://t.co/ASbZG60m5E [12]
— Zeinobia (@Zeinobia) February 24, 2016 [13]
God is great (Allahu Akbar)! The bid has hit 100,000!
In his speech, Sisi also called on Egyptians to each “say good morning to Egypt with a pound,” which translates to donate a pound towards Egypt every morning, which also drew laughs on social media.
Hagar jokes:
me:hello mum!
masr: we deducted one pound #صبح_علي_مصر_بجنيه [14]— hagar♡ (@HagarTika) February 25, 2016 [15]
This Twitter user shares a photograph of an Egyptian pound:
#صبح_علي_مصر_بجنيه [14]
Good Morning #Egypt [16] :) pic.twitter.com/peJUebcdSq [17]
— MM Law Firm (@MMLawFirm_eg) February 25, 2016 [18]
And Ayman Azzameg says:
الدول تتقدم بالعلم الصناعة والحرية والعدالة والمساواة وتطبيق القانون ع الجميع ومحاربة الفسادمش إن المواطنين يعملوا جمعية #صبح_على_مصر_بجنيه [19]
— #أرحل_يا_سيسي (@ayman_azzameg) February 24, 2016 [20]
Countries progress through science, industry, freedom, justice, equality, implementation of the law on all, and fighting corruption, and not from the backs of its people.