EGYPT: A subverted revolution?
His party, the Justice and Freedom Party (JFP) won both the Presidential and parliamentary elections. Egyptians endorsed his constitutional referendum by 64%. Egyptians certainly voted for an Islamist Party, but some local and international interests insist on imposing secularist on Egypt.Egypt seems to be on self -destruction mode, yet its agitated citizens damn the consequences […]
His party, the Justice and Freedom Party (JFP) won both the Presidential and parliamentary elections. Egyptians endorsed his constitutional referendum by 64%. Egyptians certainly voted for an Islamist Party, but some local and international interests insist on imposing secularist on Egypt.
Egypt seems to be on self -destruction mode, yet its agitated citizens damn the consequences and took to the streets to demand for a “second revolution.” The arrays of accusations lampooned on Morsi by the protesters include the following: failing to build an all-inclusive government, imposing an Islamists constitution, manipulating the judiciary, muzzling the press and making appointments in favour of Islamists.
On the economy his failings were too obvious to angry Egyptians. A banker described Egypt’s political economy as, “politics has polarized, growth is poor, inflation is high and public finances are deteriorating.” Other problems of the economy include decline in tourism, foreign investment and labour unrest. Growth in the economy has plunged to 2.2% from 7% in 2011.
Morsi’s overthrow by the army in alliance with the opposition seems to suggest a grand conspiracy against the Muslim Brotherhood (MB). The army has closed down TV stations sympathetic to the MB and arrested its leadership while the opposition is pampered. In my opinion, Morsi was toppled for the following reasons:
He underestimated the passion and sacrifices of Egyptians towards the 2011 revolution. The revolution’s clarion call for, “bread, freedom and social justice” was gradually becoming illusive. Morsi erred by disregarding calls for an all-inclusive government by the opposition and the economy continued to deteriorate.
The conservative/aristocratic regimes in the Middle East have for long considered the Brotherhood and their allies as a threat to their regimes. Allowing the Brotherhood to win elections in Egypt was a costly mistake as it may give impetus to their counterparts/allies in countries like Jordan, Syria and UAE. Very recently their allies were jailed in U.A.E. Saudi Arabia, Kuwait and the U.A.E have already pledged about $ 10billion grant/loan to prop the new leadership in Egypt. Despite its illegality the U.S will not suspend aid to Egypt and will go ahead to supply F16 fighters to its military.
Israel considers the Brotherhood as Hamas ally, meaning terrorists. While Mubarak kept the Rafah crossing between Egypt and Gaza closed for years, Morsi opened Gaza to the world. Israel viewed that a breach of its security. Morsi also talked about the need to revisit the entire Middle East Peace process (see why Blair is happy). Immediately after Morsi’s election victory his past statements on Israel, such as “Zionists have no right to the land of Palestine,” started appearing on the net. Poor Morsi, appeasing Israel is the beginning of wisdom in his region. Amr Moussa (Egypt’s former Minister of Foreign Affairs/opposition leader) would have tutored him on Middle East 101.
Morsi was critical of 9/11 attacks on America and seem to have concurred with the conspiracy theory position. During his electioneering campaign he promised to discuss with the U.S to release Abdul-Rahman convicted for the 1993 World Trade Centre bombing. These are things that will make the U.S uncomfortable. America foot-shuffled before coming to terms with Morsi/Brotherhood victory, but Tony Blair, probably talked for the EU when he applauded the coup. Nothing should be left to chance, so Morsi must go!
The retirement of Field Marshall Tantawi and a host of other Generals was the climax of power struggle between Morsi and the military. Morsi must pay for disgracing Mubarak currently standing trial. In its 60years in power, the military has accumulated both power and wealth. The Egyptian army being heavily dependent on the U.S must safeguard its interest in the region. And it is not a coincidence that it sided with political lightweights like El Baradei and Amr Moussa who would not rock the boat.
The military warned of a “dark tunnel” yet their action seem to have driven Egypt head on into a dark tunnel by accentuating a delicate fault lines. Some Egyptian clerics and President Putin of Russia expressed fears of a civil war in Egypt. The Algerian civil war of 1992 was caused by the annulment of an election won by an Islamic Salvation Front by the military. The MB is persecuted. The army has killed 103 and arrested over 600 of its members. With its mandate truncated we may soon see the “Syrianization” of Egypt.
All the key actors in the Middle East, including the West must come to terms with the political developments in the region. One analyst captured it right when he said it wasn’t an Arab spring but an “Islamic renaissance.”
Recent polls have shown that over 60% of citizens in Arab nations preferred some form of Islamic government and that was what happened in Egypt. This reality seem to dawn on Turkey and Qatar as they expressed caution on the Egyptian situation
Morsi has admitted his mistakes, but I strongly believe he is a victim of international conspiracy manipulated by the U.S/Israel and the Arab Kingdoms than the internal contradictions/confusions in Egypt. The West and the ruling families in the Arab kingdoms revile the Muslim Brotherhood because they fear its ideological orientation, potency and mass appeal. The way forward for Egypt/region is to reverse the mistake of 30 June 2012, the election of Morsi!
Sabo is of Federal Mortgage Bank of Nigeria and can be reached at: [email protected]