Egypt in flames with no concrete solution underway

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SOMAK SEN

04 February, 2011

The majority demands the immediate resignation of the ruling President - Hosni Mubarak, who has been in power since 1981. The collective anger against the President burst into violence, as there is no overall development throughout the country.

EGYPT IS burning. It is burning in the fire of agitation, an expression of the unexpressed hatred, which has been smoldering among the common people (read majority) since the last three decades. The upheaval in Egypt symbolises the possible end of autocracy that has been prevailing in the West Asian and African region for decades. But why such a sudden major outbreak?

Egypt is considered as a peaceful nation, as a most dependable ally of the United States (US) and other European countries in their ‘War Against Terrorism’ and also as a good mediator in various controversial issues that have been crippling the West Asian region for decades.

The historical country, which bears the pride of having a modern civilization, has been in turmoil since the last few days. Spontaneous protest of Egyptians against the long rule of Hosni Mubarak is reflected in burning cars, debris of shops and market places, shopping malls and office buildings. Even the hospitals are also not spared. Scores of people have already lost their lives and thousands have been inflicted with serious injuries. Since the day the protests started, offices have been closed, the movement has also been restricted, army tanks continue patrolling in the streets of Cairo, Giza and other protest hit towns.

The majority demands the immediate resignation of the ruling President – Hosni Mubarak, who has been in power since 1981. The collective anger against the President burst into violence, as there is no overall development throughout the country in these years. The situation is now so worse that Mubarak has not only to step down from his position, but may have to flee the country to save himself and his family members. But why such a common protest against Hosni? Let’s see in detail.

During his tenure of three decades, Mubarak has been constantly grabbing all the constitutional powers with him. Though he had commenced his career with many good promises, he failed to establish good governance as well as democracy in Egypt. Rather he let the economical imbalance, political and social inequality to grow. To strengthen and formulate his policies, Mubarak planned the entire administration using military power. After usurping most of the power, he had announced that his successor would be his son Gamal as the next supreme authority of Egypt.

But the recent uprising has finally shattered Mubarak’s dream to come true. But why such a change within a short span of time? The condition of Egypt was not so bad even in the December, 2010. As 2011 stepped in, the first change which inspired Egypt to call for a change, took place in Tunisia after the then Tunisian president Zine El Abidine Ben Ali fled the country following a mass public outrage. The sparkle of revolution gradually spread over to Egypt, Yemen, Algeria which ignited a hope in them for a better tomorrow. This revolutionary change swept the political powers by surprise which will prove fruitful in West Asia and North Africa in the coming days.

What is the future of Egypt? Will this collective movement against the autocratic President bring a complete solution? Probably, there will be the end of autocracy, but it may also lead to the birth of a fundamentalist power. There is opposition, but they are handpicked in number and too passive in nature. The Muslim Brotherhood (MB) thus has almost not been able to play a major role in the uprising. Other parties only play safe in this uprising from behind. This upheaval or collective protest against autocracy, whatever we may refer, is not led by any political figure. It is directly led and carried out by the people.

Though Mohamed Mostafa ElBaradei, the Noble Peace Prize (2005) winner and also the former Director General of the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA), is now a strong critic of Mubarak, but he is not considered as the first alternative of Hosni. ElBaradei is potent enough to be crowned as the next President, but his long absence from the Egyptian soil has also kept him far from the Egyptian commons. Obviously, it is a matter of sentiment. The MB would certainly make this uprising as their propaganda for the next election, but no one can guarantee the victory of its candidate.

The Egyptian Army has also played a significant role this time. ‘Army is to save the countrymen from any external attack’- this principle has played a better role among the Men in Uniform there. It was explicit as the Egyptian Army disobeyed Hosni’s order to disperse the protesters by bullets. Rather they performed as silent spectators while the protesters went on rampage.

The uniformed men bowed themselves in front of the slogan, “Either Egypt or Mubarak! Either Country or President!”. Therefore, the million march at the Tahrir Square and the army’s passive stance would certainly make the superpowers of Yemen (Ali Abdullah Saleh), Syria (Bashar al-Assad), Jordan (Abdullah II bin al-Hussein), Bahrain (Hamad bin Isa Al Khalifa) worried until they follow a new way of reformation and establish democracy in their countries.

With this uprising, a wave of uncertainty is also blown over many other countries. USA, UK, France, Germany, Israel and India are highly anxious over this event and about the next situation in Egypt. What will happen if any fundamentalist group finally comes to power there? During Mubarak’s reign, Egypt had good relations with the USA, UK, Israel and India. Mubarak’s Egypt firmly controlled the political scenario in the Arab League and African Union.

The tension between Israel-Palestine, the emergence of Iran as a nuclear power, the issues between Lebanon-Syria – Egypt has played a significant role in all spheres. Even Mubarak voiced for India’s concern in the United Nations. He is only ruler from the African continent who repeatedly sought and requested the UN authorities to look after India’s issues seriously regarding the latter’s complaints against Pakistan’s perpetration in terrorism.

Whatever Mubarak had done in his three decades ruling, did only to keep his image in the international arena. But in his own country, he overlooked the concerns of his own countrymen. ‘Irhaal, Mubarak Irhaal’ – is thus the outcome for him in Egypt.