Mohamed ElBaradei facts for kids
Quick facts for kids
Mohamed ElBaradei
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محمد البرادعي
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ElBaradei in 2005
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| Interim Vice President of Egypt | |
| In office 14 July 2013 – 14 August 2013 |
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| President | Adly Mansour (interim) |
| Preceded by | Mahmoud Mekki |
| Succeeded by | Vacant |
| Leader of the Constitution Party | |
| In office 28 April 2012 – 14 August 2013 |
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| Deputy | George Isaac |
| Preceded by | Office established |
| Succeeded by | Sayyed Kassam (acting) Hala Shukrallah |
| 4th Director General of the International Atomic Energy Agency | |
| In office 1 December 1997 – 30 November 2009 |
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| Preceded by | Hans Blix |
| Succeeded by | Yukiya Amano |
| Personal details | |
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Mohamed Mostafa ElBaradei
17 June 1942 Cairo, Egypt |
| Political party | Constitution Party |
| Spouse | Aida El Kashef |
| Children | 2 |
| Residences | Vienna, Austria |
| Alma mater | Cairo University Graduate Institute of International and Development Studies New York University |
| Website | Official website: https://web.archive.org/web/20111102123438/http://www.mohamedelbaradei.com/ |
Mohamed Mostafa ElBaradei (Arabic: محمد مصطفى البرادعي, romanized: Muḥammad Muṣṭafá al-Barādaʿī; born 17 June 1942) is an Egyptian expert in law and a diplomat. He served as the interim vice president of Egypt for a short time in 2013.
Before this, he was the head of the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) from 1997 to 2009. The IAEA is an important group under the United Nations (UN). It works to make sure nuclear energy is used safely and for peaceful reasons. In 2005, he and the IAEA won the Nobel Peace Prize. They received it for their efforts to stop nuclear energy from being used for weapons. They also worked to ensure nuclear energy for peaceful uses is as safe as possible. ElBaradei was also a key figure in Egyptian politics, especially during the 2011 Egyptian revolution and the events of 2013.
Mohamed ElBaradei was born and grew up in Giza Governorate, Greater Cairo, Egypt. He was one of five children. His father, Mostafa ElBaradei, was a lawyer who supported democracy in Egypt. This included supporting a free press and an independent justice system.
ElBaradei is married to Aida El Kashef, who used to be a teacher. They have two children: a daughter named Laila, who is a lawyer, and a son named Mostafa, who works in IT. They also have two granddaughters. ElBaradei speaks Arabic, English, and French. He also knows some German.
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Education and Early Career
Mohamed ElBaradei followed his father's path and studied law. He earned his first law degree from the University of Cairo in 1962. Later, he received a master's degree in 1971 and a doctorate in international law in 1974. These advanced degrees were from the New York University School of Law. His doctorate paper was about the right to pass through narrow sea passages during peacetime.
His career in diplomacy started in 1964. He worked for the Egyptian Ministry of Foreign Affairs. He served at Egypt's missions to the UN in New York and Geneva. There, he handled political, legal, and arms control matters. From 1974 to 1978, he was a special assistant to the foreign minister.
In 1980, he became a senior expert at the United Nations Institute for Training and Research (UNITAR). He led their International Law Program. From 1981 to 1987, he also taught international law at New York University School of Law. In 1984, ElBaradei joined the IAEA as a senior staff member. He served as the agency's legal advisor from 1984 to 1993. Then, he became Assistant Director General for External Relations from 1993 to 1997.
Leading the IAEA (1997–2009)
ElBaradei became the Director General of the IAEA in Vienna on 1 December 1997. He took over from Hans Blix. During his time, the IAEA became very active in preventing the spread of nuclear weapons. They focused on countries like Iraq, Sudan, North Korea, and Iran.
ElBaradei was re-elected twice, in 2001 and 2005. The United States initially opposed his third term, but he was still re-elected. In 2009, ElBaradei said that the idea of Iran being a nuclear threat was overblown. He stated there was no proof Iran was close to building a nuclear weapon. His third and final term ended in November 2009.
First Term as Director General
After being appointed in 1997, ElBaradei spoke about the importance of international groups. He said they must respond to members' needs and show real achievements. They also needed to be efficient and fair. Just before he started, the Model Additional Protocol was adopted. This gave the IAEA more power to check for secret nuclear activities. ElBaradei started a program to combine the IAEA's checks with this new protocol. He urged all countries to adopt the Additional Protocol. By November 2009, 93 countries had it in force.
His first term ended in November 2001, shortly after the September 11 attacks. These attacks showed the need to protect nuclear material from theft or terrorism. ElBaradei then created a nuclear security program. This program helps countries protect their nuclear materials and facilities.
Second Term as Director General
A major issue during ElBaradei's second term was the IAEA's inspections in Iraq. ElBaradei disagreed with the U.S. reasons for the 2003 invasion of Iraq. He and Hans Blix led UN weapons inspectors in Iraq. In March 2003, ElBaradei told the UN Security Council that documents claiming Iraq tried to get uranium from Niger were fake.
In an interview, he said that true security comes from recognizing we are all one human race. He believed that the sooner we see ourselves as part of humanity, the safer the world will be. ElBaradei called the U.S. invasion of Iraq "a clear example" of how force can make problems worse. He also said that inspections take time and can work. He felt his view that Saddam Hussein had not restarted his nuclear weapons program was proven right.
In a 2004 article for the New York Times, ElBaradei wrote about the dangers of nuclear weapons. He said it's wrong for some countries to have weapons of mass destruction while others cannot. He warned that if the world doesn't change, we risk destroying ourselves.
Third and Final Term as Director General
The United States first opposed ElBaradei's re-election for a third term in 2005. Some U.S. officials tried to remove him from his position. The Washington Post reported that the U.S. government listened to ElBaradei's phone calls with Iranian diplomats. They were looking for reasons to force him out. An IAEA spokesperson said they worked assuming their calls might be listened to.
The U.S. was the only country to oppose ElBaradei's re-election. They failed to get enough support from other nations. After a meeting between U.S. Secretary of State Condoleezza Rice and ElBaradei, the U.S. dropped its objections. Countries like China, Russia, Germany, and France supported him. China praised his leadership and fairness. Russia also strongly supported his re-election. ElBaradei was unanimously re-appointed by the IAEA board on 13 June 2005.
No Fourth Term
In 2008, ElBaradei announced he would not seek a fourth term as director general. He hoped the IAEA would find a candidate acceptable to all regions. After several votes, Yukiya Amano from Japan was chosen as the next IAEA director general on 3 July 2009.
ElBaradei and U.S. Relations
ElBaradei has been a strong voice for democratic change in Egypt since 2009. He was a key leader during the 2011 protests. However, he had a difficult relationship with the U.S. government. During his time at the IAEA, he often downplayed claims about Iran's nuclear program. This sometimes went against U.S. efforts to pressure Iran.
In 2003, he stated that Iraq's nuclear program had not restarted before the Iraq War. This contradicted claims by the Bush administration. In 2010, he said he wanted to open the border between Gaza and Egypt. He also accused Israel of being the biggest threat in the Middle East due to its nuclear weapons. ElBaradei has also called for an investigation into former Bush administration officials for their roles in planning the Iraq War.
Multinational Control of Nuclear Fuel
In an article for The Economist in 2003, ElBaradei shared his idea for the future of nuclear fuel. He suggested limiting the processing of materials that could be used for weapons. This would involve putting these operations under international control. He also said that nuclear energy systems should be designed to avoid using materials that can directly make nuclear weapons. He believed international cooperation in these areas would be very helpful. This would not only add more controls to stop the spread of nuclear weapons. It would also help more countries access the benefits of nuclear technology.
Countries without nuclear weapons have been hesitant about these ideas. They worry that the proposals are driven by the interests of nuclear-weapon states. They also fear becoming dependent on a few nuclear fuel suppliers. And they are concerned that these proposals might limit their right to use nuclear energy for peaceful purposes.
Technical Cooperation and Cancer Control
ElBaradei's work was not only about checking for nuclear weapons. He also focused on development through nuclear technology. In 2004, he supported a global plan called the Programme of Action for Cancer Therapy (PACT). This program helps fight cancer. ElBaradei noted that many developing countries lack enough radiotherapy machines and trained doctors. In its first year, PACT helped seven countries with cancer treatment. It used the IAEA's share of the 2005 Nobel Peace Prize money.
In a 2008 speech, ElBaradei said that development activities are central to the IAEA's work. He stressed that technical cooperation is not a political tool. It is a vital part of the agency's mission to help countries develop.
Egyptian Politics
2011 Egyptian Revolution
During the early days of the 2011 Egyptian revolution, ElBaradei's speechwriter said he had always cared about human rights in Egypt. He had challenged President Hosni Mubarak since 2003. Social media also played a role in convincing ElBaradei that young Egyptians were ready for change. He learned to use Facebook, Twitter, and YouTube to do what was not allowed by the government.
On 27 January 2011, ElBaradei returned to Egypt during the large protests. He said he was ready to lead a temporary government if the people wanted him to. When he joined protesters, police used water cannons and batons on his supporters. On 28 January, it was reported he was under house arrest, but he denied it.
Later, ElBaradei joined thousands of protesters in Tahrir Square. He told them they had "taken back their rights" and could not go back. He stated that the people wanted the government to fall. He also said that a democratic Egypt would have a better relationship with the U.S. The Muslim Brotherhood and other groups reportedly asked ElBaradei to lead a "national salvation government." However, the Muslim Brotherhood later clarified that they had not officially appointed him. His role was seen as important due to Western support for the protests.
Possible Presidential Candidacy
From 2009 to 2012, opposition groups suggested ElBaradei as a possible candidate for president. He did not clearly state his intentions to run. However, he demanded fair elections and changes to the constitution. These changes would allow more freedom for independent candidates. Several opposition groups supported him as a neutral figure to guide Egypt to more democracy.
On 24 February 2010, ElBaradei met with opposition leaders in Cairo. They formed a new group called the "National Association for Change." This group aimed for political reforms, especially regarding rules for presidential elections. On 7 March 2011, ElBaradei announced his intention to run for president. However, on 14 January 2012, he declared he would not run. In July 2013, he was considered a favorite to lead a temporary Egyptian government after the 2013 Egyptian coup d'état.
President of Constitution Party
On 28 April 2012, ElBaradei started the Constitution Party (DL). This was too late for him to run for president. The party describes itself as liberal. It aims to protect the goals of the 25 January 2011 Revolution. ElBaradei became a leading figure in the Egyptian opposition. In November, his party joined other groups to form the National Salvation Front. This group opposed President Mohamed Morsi's decisions. On 5 December 2012, ElBaradei became the coordinator of this front.
Vice President
Mohamed ElBaradei was involved in the 2013 Egyptian coup d'état. This event removed President Mohamed Morsi from power. Morsi was removed after large protests against his leadership. ElBaradei supported the military's plan to remove Morsi and start a new political path for Egypt. He was present when General Sisi announced the temporary suspension of the constitution.
ElBaradei was sworn in as vice president, in charge of international relations, on 14 July 2013.
Resignation
On 14 August 2013, security forces violently cracked down on supporters of the removed president. Many people were killed. Following this, ElBaradei resigned as vice president. In his resignation letter, he said he always sought peaceful ways to solve problems. He felt he could not continue to be responsible for decisions he disagreed with. He stated he could not bear the responsibility for "a single drop of blood." After resigning, he left Egypt for Vienna. An Egyptian law professor filed a lawsuit against him for "betrayal of trust," but the case was dismissed.
Other Activities
Mohamed ElBaradei is a member of the Global Leadership Foundation. This group supports democratic leadership and helps prevent conflicts. It also promotes good governance and human rights. He is also a member of the Global Commission on Drug Policy.
Awards
ElBaradei received many awards for his work at the IAEA. These awards recognized his efforts to ensure nuclear energy is used for peaceful purposes.
2005 Nobel Peace Prize
On 7 October 2005, ElBaradei and the IAEA jointly received the Nobel Peace Prize. They won for their work to stop nuclear energy from being used for military purposes. They also ensured its peaceful use was as safe as possible. ElBaradei gave all his prize money to build orphanages in Cairo. The IAEA used its winnings to train scientists from developing countries. These scientists learn to use nuclear methods to fight cancer and malnutrition. ElBaradei is the fourth Egyptian to win a Nobel Prize.
In his Nobel lecture, ElBaradei spoke about the changing world of nuclear weapons. He mentioned the rise of a black market for nuclear materials. He also talked about the spread of nuclear weapons and the lack of progress in disarmament. To fight this, he suggested keeping nuclear materials away from extremist groups. He also called for tighter control over making nuclear materials that could be used in weapons. ElBaradei said that if we want to avoid self-destruction, nuclear weapons should not be part of our security.
UN Secretary General Kofi Annan was very happy about the award. He congratulated ElBaradei and the IAEA staff for their work for global peace.
Postage Stamps
Egypt Post honored this award by issuing two postage stamps on 8 October 2005. On 1 June 2009, Egypt Post issued a set of 16 stamps. These stamps featured African Nobel Prize winners, including ElBaradei.
Other Awards and Recognition
ElBaradei has received many other awards for his work:
- Decoration for Services to the Republic of Austria (2009)
- Order of Merit of the Federal Republic of Germany (2010)
- "El Athir" award from Algeria
- The Franklin D. Roosevelt Four Freedoms Award (2006)
- James Park Morton Interfaith Award
- Golden Plate award from the American Academy of Achievement
- Jit Trainor award from Georgetown University for diplomacy
- Human Security award from the Muslim Public Affairs Council
- Prix de la Fondation award from the Crans Montana Forum
- Golden Dove of Peace prize from the President of Italy
- Honorary Patron of the University Philosophical Society (2006) of Trinity College, Dublin
- Golden Doves for Peace journalistic prize (2007)
- Grand Cordon of the Order of the Nile, Egypt's highest civilian award
- Award for Distinguished Contribution to the Peaceful Worldwide Use of Nuclear Technology (2007)
- Freedom medal (2006)
- The Mostar 2007 international peace award
- The 2008 "Peacebuilding Award" of the EastWest Institute
- The International Seville NODO Prize for Peace, Security and Inter-Cultural Dialogue
- The 2008 Indira Gandhi Prize for Peace, Disarmament and Development
- The 2009 Delta Prize for Global Understanding
- The XIV International Grupo Compostela-Xunta de Galicia Prize
- Breastplate of the Russian Foreign Ministry "Contribution to International Cooperation"
- Order of Francisc Skorina (Belarus)
- Order of Friendship of Peoples (Belarus)
ElBaradei has also received honorary degrees from many universities. These include Trinity College, Dublin, New York University, and the American University in Cairo. He is also a member of the Mo Ibrahim Foundation's Ibrahim Prize Committee.
See also
- Asmaa Mahfouz
- Hossam el-Hamalawy
- International Atomic Energy Agency
- List of Muslim Nobel Laureates
- Mona Seif
- Wael Ghonim
