For other people with the same name, see Muhammad Sadiq (disambiguation).

Mohammed Ahmed Sadek (Arabic: محمد أحمد صادق; October 1917 – 15 March 1991) was an Egyptian colonel general who served as defense minister under the rule of President Anwar Sadat.

Early life and education

Sadek was born in Al Qatawiya, a village in the Sharqia Governorate, in October 1917.[1] He graduated from the Egypt's military academy in 1938 and from M. V. Frunze Military Academy in the Soviet Union.[2]

Career and activities

Sadek joined the army and started his military career in the royal guard.[1] He took part in the Palestine war in 1948 and the Suez Campaign in 1956.[2] From 1962 to 1964 he was military attaché at the Egypt's embassy in Bonn.[2] Then he was made the curricula director of the military academy in 1965 where he served until 1967.[2] He was the head of military intelligence from June 1967 to 1969.[2][3] In September 1969, he briefly acted as the general secretary of the Pan Arab Organization, being in charge of military affairs.[2] He was also named as the Chief of the General Staff by President Gamal Abdel Nasser in September 1969.[4] In 1970, Sadek was promoted to the rank of lieutenant general.[2]

Sadek was appointed minister of war by Anwar Sadat on 14 May 1971 after the resignation of Mohammed Fawzi.[5][6][7] Upon his appointment, he was promoted to full general.[8] When Sadek was in office, he also held the job of armed forces commander in chief.[9] Sadek was dismissed from office on 26 October 1972,[5] and was put under house arrest.[10][11]

Sadek's anti-Soviet approach was cited as the reason for his dismissal.[9] Another reason given for Sadek's dismissal was his criticisms over Anwar Sadat's approach concerning the war with Israel.[12] Sadek was replaced by Ahmed Ismail Ali as defense minister in October 1972.[13]

Personal life and death

Sadek was married and had two sons.[2] He died on 15 March 1991.[1]

References

  1. ^ a b c "الفريق أول محمد أحمد صادق (١٩١٧-١٩٩١)" (in Arabic). Alexandria Library. Retrieved 2 September 2023.
  2. ^ a b c d e f g h Who's Who in the Arab World 2007-2008 (18th ed.). Beirut: Publitec Publications. 2007. p. 689. ISBN 978-3-11-093004-7.
  3. ^ "Nasser appoints two new chiefs". Herald Journal. Beirut. Associated Press. 19 September 1969. Retrieved 31 January 2013.
  4. ^ "Nasser pushes purge, guerrillas hit hard". Montreal Gazette. Beirut. Reuters. 19 September 1969. Retrieved 31 January 2013.
  5. ^ a b "Former Ministers of War and Defense". Ministry of Defense. Retrieved 6 January 2024.
  6. ^ "Terrorist plot cited". The Milwaukee Sentinel. 17 May 1971. Retrieved 31 January 2013.
  7. ^ Hicham Bou Nassif (Autumn 2013). "Wedded to Mubarak: The Second Careers and Financial Rewards of Egypt's Military Elite, 1981-2011". The Middle East Journal. 67 (4): 514. JSTOR 43698073.
  8. ^ "Cabinet ministers quit in Cairo Feud". The Milwaukee Journal. 14 May 1971. Retrieved 31 January 2013.
  9. ^ a b "Egypt's new war minister assumes post". Toledo Blade. Cairo. Reuters. 28 October 1972. Retrieved 31 January 2013.
  10. ^ "Egypt's Sadek under arrest". Pittsburgh Post-Gazette. Beirut. Associated Press. Retrieved 31 January 2013.
  11. ^ "Ex-Egypt War Chief Arrested". The Shreveport Times. Beirut. Associated Press. 30 October 1971. p. 1. Retrieved 2 September 2023.
  12. ^ Imad Harb (Spring 2003). "The Egyptian Military in Politics: Disengagement or Accommodation?". The Middle East Journal. 57 (2): 282. JSTOR 4329881.
  13. ^ "Ex-official of Egypt under arrest". The Milwaukee Sentinel. 30 October 1972. Retrieved 31 January 2013.

External links