Editor in Chief: Moh. Reza Huwaida Sunday, April 28th, 2024

The Chaos in Egypt

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The Chaos in Egypt

The situation is turning gruesome as the patient Egypt’s government has come to an end. Previously, the ministry of interior announced that pro-Mursi protesters should end their sits in otherwise will be forced to do so.  But protestors not only followed the order but raised brick wall and mounds of bag sands for defense against the possible inroad. As the tension was boiling the head of Al-Azhar, the top religious authority in the country, proposed to mediate between government and oppositions. But the proposal was rejected by oppositions blaming of collusion with the government and supporting the oust of the first elected Islamist president.

So, according to warning, the police should have mounted towards two camps set up by oppositions, right after the outstation of President Mursi by military intervention. But the security forces held back which interpreted the move as possible new calculation on how to deal with oppositions.

But the dawn of August 14 changed such optimism. In spite of eruption of clashes and intensification of violence, policy force turned the wheel towards two camps with helicopters hovering over the head. Security forces backed by bulldozers moved in Wednesday on two huge protest camps set up in Cairo by supporters. The operation began shortly after dawn when security forces surrounded the sprawling Rabaa Al Adawiya camp in east Cairo and a similar one at Al Nahda square, in the centre of the capital.

Witnesses and an AFP correspondent said police rained canisters of tear gas down onto tents before entering Rabaa Al Adawiya, sparking uproar among the thousands of protesters. Clashes quickly erupted between protesters and security forces on one side of the camp, as automatic fire could be heard. It was not immediately clear who was doing the shooting. Television footage showed injured people being carried to a makeshift medical centre as well as police dragging away protesters, who have defied numerous ultimatums to end their demonstrations. Based on allegation of oppositions, more than 25 people have been killed in clashes with security forces.

Meanwhile there are reports about street clashes between pro and anti government groups. The clashes broke out when a few thousand Mursi Supporters marched to the interior ministry. As result, the pro-army residents and shop workers taunted them, calling them terrorists and saying they were not welcome.

Seemingly, in spite of warnings of the army and fear about the persecution of Muslim Brotherhood leaders who are blamed of inciting the flames of antagonism in the country. These steps are certainly fearsome and have the potential to intensify and prolong violence and uncertainty in the country.

I think there several issues that should be noticed by both sides. Both sides are trying to make the gap large and larger instead of trying to bridge and work for acceptable establishment for all sides. Sincerely, I really that if today pro-Mursi protestors stop demonstrations and leave the current military government continue up to the next presidential election, the present government succeed to restore stability and relieve civilians. Because if the current demonstrations lose its political veil, soon after the economic instability will appear. Presently, the pro-Mursi political demonstrations have somehow undermined the deep down dissent of civilians. We should not forget that President Mursi was an elected president and millions casted their votes in his favor. Even if we consider the height of demonstration against the military de facto government, again we obviously see that the Brotherhood party has lost huge part of its ground supporters.

It looks naïve to consider that present few thousand demonstrators indeed are the representatives of the millions of people voted for President Mursi. So, what is wrong? Was really so strong to mount such national wide anger against the Islamist leader and the Muslim Brotherhood? A positive answer to this question should be doubted.

What made the military to reach to a conclusion to end to a year long life of presidency of Mohmmad Mursi was nationwide opposition to his government. The series of demonstration across the country showed that Islamist government actually has lost huge part of its supporters not because of its Islamist agenda because it could not meet its promises regarding the economic prosperity. Progressive instability severely dealt blow to one of the main source of public revenue, tourism. Similarly, other economic activities shut down or decreased tremendously due to continuous instability. This process in turned dragged people back to Tahrir square perhaps majority of them had ideological link to right, left or the center. Their problem was lack of employment and inflation not actually modern values. Deep down in their heart, they were asking for employment not for establishment of secular government. They were angry due to high inflation not because President Mursi put the constitution on referendum.

Part of the problem lied on the bed of foreign policy of Mursi’s government that could not attract the attention of wealthy Arab countries. If he could made a better relation, say for instance, with Saudi Arabia which has never had a friendly relation with the Brotherhood or did not show any tilt toward Islamists agenda that would eventually persuaded western countries to support his government. Perhaps he could continue as President. The economic problem turned severe as many Arab countries who opposed ex President Mr. Mobarak avoided pouring money into the country to relieve Egyptians.

Thus, the current rulers should learn. They should understand that cracking down the pro-Mursi will not get them rid of public anger, even if they succeed in doing so. The best way is to negotiate and develop friendly relation with regional and global countries in order to receive their fund till the economic cycle moves back on the track.

Masood Korosh is the permanent writer of Daily Outlook Afghanistan. He can be reached at outlookafghanistan@gmail.com

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