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Popular impeachment

Tueday at the Woodrow Wilson Center for International Scholars Mona Makram-Ebeid, former member of the Egyptian Parliament, expressed her disappointments, her fears and her hopes for an Egypt that has gone through two revolutions since 2011.

Makram-Ebeid does not see the necessity of labeling the events of June 30 as either a coup or a correction. She continues to call it “popular impeachment.”  She believes that the Egyptian people have this right and likened it to the popular impeachment of Nixon. Egyptians had become disillusioned with Morsi. The former president had alienated all parts of society. Many of the protestors that flooded the streets on June 30 were the same people who had voted for Morsi and the Muslim Brotherhood (MB) in the previous year’s elections. Disappointment led to frustration and violence. It is not a matter of the army being against the MB, but rather the people against political Islam. Read more

Square one, but not forever

Former intern Ala’ Alrababa’h has provided this interview with Ahmed Maher, leader of the April 6 Movement in Egypt, kindly translated by Ghazi Jarrar and also published in  Arabic at Ghurbeh Blog – مدونة غربة:

Q: Through speaking to Egyptians in the past days, I noticed that the majority is not only anti-Muslim Brotherhood, but they are also pro-military rule. The question here is, do they not recollect the post-Mubarak military government and the troubles it brought?

A: They do not remember that year. They consider military rule better than Brotherhood rule, even if it entails more oppression. This discourse is common among Egyptians today – accepting the military’s shortcomings. On the contrary, the Army is a little better than the Muslim Brotherhood. We tested the Brotherhood through the ballot box. For Egyptians’ today, the Brotherhood is worse. Egyptians are ready to [accept military rule]. Of course, the current propaganda is huge, and very organized.

Q: The Army’s propaganda? Read more

It’s the economy

Bloodshed and revolts have filled Egypt’s streets since the overthrow of President Hosni Mubarak in 2011. But the root of Egypt’s hardships is economic. A majority of Egypt’s population lives in poverty with high unemployment and incessant corruption.

The Middle East Institute conference on Egypt last Friday included a panel, moderated by Woodrow Wilson Center and U. S. Institute of Peace Joint Scholar Robin Wright, focused on meeting the needs of the Egyptian people. The discussion featured Hossam Bahgat from the Egyptian Initiative for Personal Rights, Mirette Mabrouk from the Atlantic Council, Jawad Nabulsi from the Nebny Foundation, and Diane Singerman from American University.

Bahgat said progress can only be made with structural political reform, rather than a merry go round of regime changes. This merry go round began with the ouster of President Mubarak in 2011. After Mubarak’s fall, the mililtary took charge.  Then the Muslim Brotherhood won elections, which brought a form of Islamic democracy, nonetheless theocratic. A year later, frustrated with Morsi and the Brotherhood, another popular movement swept them from power, with the Army playing a crucial role. But there is a clear lack of accountability and reform in the Egyptian government. Read more