AFRICAN NEWS

The Spirit of Egypt Spoke

Hadiza Wada, DBA …February 12, 2011

For almost three weeks, the world was gripped with the Egyptian protests, which culminated with the resignation of the Egyptian President Hosni Mubarak on Friday. Though news about similar tension in other Middle Eastern Countries trickled in every once in a while, it was however Egypt that captured the most attention.

Friday February the 11^th, the 18^th day into the sit in at Cairo’s Tahrir square by thousands of pro-democracy protesters, looked like any other ordinary day for the demonstrators. However it was the day that the announcement finally came on air that Egypt’s long time president, the 82 year Hosni Mubarak is stepping down from power after three decades of his administration that wielded immense powers. President Mubarak has virtually kept in place the nation’s emergency rule edict for as long as he ruled, which allows the commander in chief sweeping powers.

Earlier during the same day, news was being flashed that the Military is solidly behind the Egyptian President, having earlier on transferred virtually all powers to his hand-picked Vice President Omar Suleiman. But as the Protesters continue to vent dissatisfaction with any arrangement short of President Mubarak’s resignation, the news finally came through Vice President Suleiman that the President is stepping down.

The Military council’s next step is to provide a clear timeline on how they will form the transitional government and how they will meet the rest of the protester’s demands like canceling parliament, removing the emergency law, and ensuring the independence of the judiciary. The council is headed by Field Marshal Mohammed Hussein Tantawi, who has been defense minister. There has been no immediate mention of a role for Vice President Omar Suleiman, Mubarak’s longtime adviser and head of intelligence.

The military leaders have, however, just announced the dissolution of the parliament and suspension of the constitution today, thus meeting two key demands of the protesters. The USA Today reported that “The military ruling council said it will run the country for six months, or until presidential and parliament elections can be held. It said it was forming a committee to amend the constitution and set the rules for a popular referendum to endorse the amendments.”

As of now, not much information is available as to specifics, but the council appears to be moving on with their attempt to fulfill most of the demands from the Protesters, as well as chart some course for reforms.

What many people have been asking as soon as the protesters announced victory Friday, was; now what? The protests may be over, but the ripple effect of what has really transpired will continue to reverberate for some time. The protesters decided to pull back as soon as they heard that the President is resigning. Only some of the demonstrators, as reported, were unwilling to move back to their respective cities, even as some military personnel in the Tahrir square were motioning them away as they begin to move out some of the heavier as well as lighter stuff jamming the square. But the question is does that mean that they have fulfilled what they have come to Cairo to seek? Do they have any inkling that their demands will be heeded by the Military Council? It truly appears that though the media was very useful in telling the world what was happening, but not much of the in depth issues were taken up.

Much of the answers may lie in what Egypt has been, and what it would like to become, as envisioned by its teeming young generation. According to authentic demographic figures, about one third of the Egyptian population of 80 million is 14 years and below. And only 4% of its population is above the age of 65 years. Egypt is not only a nation that encompasses many significant portions of an ancient civilization; it also has a complex and somewhat unique combination of both traditional and modern values. It stands somewhat apart from other Arab nations in customs and values. Still a center of religious learning especially it’s much esteemed Al Azhar University and a group of prominent Shuyuks. Yet it also attracts a significant amount of international tourists from all countries of the world including Europe and the United states, all interested in its immense relics and monuments.

In terms of international relations, Egypt also stands somewhat unique. In that regard, it is at odds with most of its brother Arab and Islamic nations. The point of contention is the Mubarak Administration’s position on Israel. And for that same reason, it is much valued by the United States and Europe.

Most of Mubarak’s problems actually revolve around the same reason. For that position, popular poll usually shows that the Mubarak Administration does not have the support of most of the citizens of his country. Just recently, Egypt’s role in helping enforce the Israeli siege on Gaza, and its government refusal to provide an alternative route into Gaza Strip, once again brought that contention into limelight, and dealt a very bad public relation dilemma for the Mubarak administration.

It is however unclear for now, how the nation may move on, as far as such very important yet intricate dilemmas. One thing is certain though, whoever forms the next democratic administration will have a lot of challenges ahead of him; challenges that will certainly be both internal and external.