As many of you know, Egypt has recently erupted with turmoil inspired by the awing Tunisian revolution. Citizens took to the streets thirsty for justice and chanting for the current governing figure, Mr. Hosni Mubarak, to step down from his presidential platform. The citizens of Egypt have had it. They want no more of the poverty, unemployment, and corruption that has percolated throughout the nation.17 days into the struggle (it started on January 25th), the world hungers for progress. The latest news has just come out: Mubarak refuses to leave, but he hands most of his governing powers to his vice-president, Omar Suleiman. However, Mubarak still maintains the power to dissolve the cabinet, or the parliament. And, He retains the power to request amendments to the constitution.
Although Mubarak is hated far and wide for his oppression and his simple, but adamant defiance, he has made some respectable decisions. For one, he acknowledged the validity of the protesters' complaints and vowed that the next elections will be free, fair, and Mubarak-free. Also, he has proposed multiple amendments to the constitution that will loosen up presidential eligibility, restore judicial checks on elections, and impose term limits on all future presidents (funny how he proposes term limits AFTER his three-decade long rule).
Mohamed ElBaradei, A prominent figure of the ongoing protest and a Nobel Peace laureate, tweeted (oh, the advantages of social networking) the following: "Egypt will explode." Mr. ElBaradei has been quoted in calling out the Egyptian army to interfere.
The Supreme Council of the Egyptian military decided to meet with Defense Minister Field Marshal Hussein Tantawi at the helm. They are presumably currently working on a way to stabilize the situation. Indeed, the council has proclaimed a "permanent session," which is only called for in wartime. They are outlining "what measures and arrangements could be made to safeguard the nation, its achievements and the ambitions of its great people."
Personally, I do fear corruption in the Supreme Council of the military. The quote from the Council is a tad bit reassuring, but it's the same type of nationalistic shtick that Mubarak was gushing out during his televised appearances. Then again, the three-decade tyrannical rule of Mubarak is hard to top. I hope that the Supreme Council knows that time is a vital thing to take into account in this situation, and that they need to figure a solution quickly and efficiently.
Click on the title for the full, Associated Press article.
2 comments:
I have read a lot about the topic of Egypt lately since it is blowing up my news on yahoo. It is horrible how a president can't control his own country from rebelling. Mr. Hosni Mubarak should consider, actually he should, resign from being president because he has lost his touch with his country and when a country is rebelling and there is mass chaos that you can't solve because they don't like you then just leave. They really need a new president that can control them and give them what they want. I also find funny how he is setting so many rules against the next president now because he has such a bad presidency. I hope this issue with Egypt ends soon.
This morning Mubarak has announced his resignation. This is definitely good for the country, as the country needs some change. A 30 year dictator at 82 years old is a little too long. It seems now we can stand once again for those democratic ideals as long as we stand with the people of Egypt. One point of particular concern is Mubarak still being in relative control over the military, though this might change with time. The protesters really were able to get their demand, hopefully they can make it right for the future. This is only going to set a precedent of how things can be done. Maybe, the next President will be able to overturn the country into a state of greater happiness.
Good luck to the citizens of Egypt.
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