Egypt’s Coalition of the Revolutionary Youth is in danger of going from hero to zero. Last Friday, the movement encouraged its following to participate in what was billed as a “second revolution” or a “second day of rage.”
Most Egyptians I know were less than enthusiastic. Even those who proudly held up banners a few months ago told me they planned to avoid the protests—and the potential for violence—by staying home. People generally are experiencing revolution fatigue. What might have been an adrenaline-rush isn’t so exciting when most demands have been fulfilled and the hate figures have been locked-up awaiting trials.
As it happened the so-called second revolution was more whimper than bang. The turnout in Cairo’s Freedom Square was similar to most other Fridays and the ambience more rock-concert than revolt. In the first place, the military and the police allowed the crowd to do its own thing by staying away. For another, the Muslim Brotherhood advised its followers to refrain from having any part in it.
The Muslim Brotherhood’s UK representative Mohammad Ganem explained his organisation’s position on Press TV. “You cannot have two revolutions inside each other,” he said. “You can’t have a counter revolution now because the Egyptian people are united unanimously. Having different opinions is very healthy. We have to realise that Egypt is in a transition period; one cannot change society overnight . . .
“No one can accuse the army now of any bad agenda. The army did a job, which we all appreciate. If we look to what is happening in Libya and Syria and elsewhere we must appreciate fully the role of the army in Egypt.” I’m no fan of the Brotherhood or anything that it stands for but I have to admit that his message sounds eminently sensible.
The country’s youth should take all the credit for being ready to sacrifice their lives to bring about change; they did what their parents and grandparents dreamt of doing but never dared to do. But they lack patience. The last thing Egypt needs now is further upheaval. The youth leaders say they want democracy, freedom and prosperity but without a stable economy and respect for law and order none of those aims are achievable.
Anarchy will not provide jobs, encourage tourism or facilitate foreign investment which currently stands at zero. They’ve proved that they can hold authority to ransom; they’ve proved that they can bring down the corrupt but they’ve yet to prove that they can build a country they can be proud of which takes sheer hard work.
Instead of yelling their demands in public squares the Revolutionary Youth Coalition would be better served if they came up with a unified message, chose charismatic parliamentary candidates and began seriously electioneering. As things stand, the Muslim Brotherhood is stealing a march on the youth. It’s well-organised, well-funded and has announced an electoral pact with various Salafist groups. Moreover its members are touring small towns and villages to woo the poor with free food and medicines.
Rather than moan and groan about the Supreme Council of the Armed Forces and Essam Sharaf’s caretaker government that are doing their best in trying circumstances, finding ways to thwart the Brotherhood’s chances of dominating parliament should be the main agenda of all political parties.
Likewise, presidential candidates should be out on the stump outlining their respective visions of new Egypt. Unfortunately, the leading contender, according to polls, Amr Mousa is still Arab League chief while former IAEA head Mohammad Al Baradei is the voice of doom and gloom. He told CNN’s Fareed Zakaria that his country is “disintegrating” socially and is in a black hole politically. Mousa wasn’t exactly inspirational either. “Our [Arab] spring is full of sandstorms,” he said.
Someone needs to tell those who are champing at the bit to launch a series of revolutions “it’s the economy, stupid?” The time for uprisings and strikes is not now when the Egyptian economy is on its knees, 70 per cent of the population is officially poor and more than 30 per cent of young people are unemployed.
The good news is there are many countries ready to come to Cairo’s aid. Wealthy G8 nations have pledged $20 billion (Dh73.4 billion) to assist Egypt and Tunisia. America has launched a debt-swap initiative to allow Egypt to convert its debts into investments and promised $ 1 billion in loan guarantees as well as cancellation of a further US$ 1 billion debt owed by Egypt to the US.
Saudi Arabia has offered to lend Egypt $4 billion in emergency funding, Qatar has promised to invest $10 billion in the country and the IMF has $35 billion available to support development in the Middle East and North Africa. The question is this. If Egypt is beset by multiple revolutions will those pledges be honored? I think not.
With correct management Egypt could emerge as a wealthy country. It has oil and gas, industry, agriculture, tourist attractions and the Suez Canal. Egyptians hold their future in their hands. Right now, it’s like a fragile butterfly. Will they squash it with a clench of their fists or will they allow it to fly?
Linda S. Heard is a British specialist writer on Middle East affairs. She welcomes feedback and can be contacted by email at heardonthegrapevines@yahoo.co.uk.
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One revolution at a time is enough
Posted on June 2, 2011 by Linda S. Heard
Egypt’s Coalition of the Revolutionary Youth is in danger of going from hero to zero. Last Friday, the movement encouraged its following to participate in what was billed as a “second revolution” or a “second day of rage.”
Most Egyptians I know were less than enthusiastic. Even those who proudly held up banners a few months ago told me they planned to avoid the protests—and the potential for violence—by staying home. People generally are experiencing revolution fatigue. What might have been an adrenaline-rush isn’t so exciting when most demands have been fulfilled and the hate figures have been locked-up awaiting trials.
As it happened the so-called second revolution was more whimper than bang. The turnout in Cairo’s Freedom Square was similar to most other Fridays and the ambience more rock-concert than revolt. In the first place, the military and the police allowed the crowd to do its own thing by staying away. For another, the Muslim Brotherhood advised its followers to refrain from having any part in it.
The Muslim Brotherhood’s UK representative Mohammad Ganem explained his organisation’s position on Press TV. “You cannot have two revolutions inside each other,” he said. “You can’t have a counter revolution now because the Egyptian people are united unanimously. Having different opinions is very healthy. We have to realise that Egypt is in a transition period; one cannot change society overnight . . .
“No one can accuse the army now of any bad agenda. The army did a job, which we all appreciate. If we look to what is happening in Libya and Syria and elsewhere we must appreciate fully the role of the army in Egypt.” I’m no fan of the Brotherhood or anything that it stands for but I have to admit that his message sounds eminently sensible.
The country’s youth should take all the credit for being ready to sacrifice their lives to bring about change; they did what their parents and grandparents dreamt of doing but never dared to do. But they lack patience. The last thing Egypt needs now is further upheaval. The youth leaders say they want democracy, freedom and prosperity but without a stable economy and respect for law and order none of those aims are achievable.
Anarchy will not provide jobs, encourage tourism or facilitate foreign investment which currently stands at zero. They’ve proved that they can hold authority to ransom; they’ve proved that they can bring down the corrupt but they’ve yet to prove that they can build a country they can be proud of which takes sheer hard work.
Instead of yelling their demands in public squares the Revolutionary Youth Coalition would be better served if they came up with a unified message, chose charismatic parliamentary candidates and began seriously electioneering. As things stand, the Muslim Brotherhood is stealing a march on the youth. It’s well-organised, well-funded and has announced an electoral pact with various Salafist groups. Moreover its members are touring small towns and villages to woo the poor with free food and medicines.
Rather than moan and groan about the Supreme Council of the Armed Forces and Essam Sharaf’s caretaker government that are doing their best in trying circumstances, finding ways to thwart the Brotherhood’s chances of dominating parliament should be the main agenda of all political parties.
Likewise, presidential candidates should be out on the stump outlining their respective visions of new Egypt. Unfortunately, the leading contender, according to polls, Amr Mousa is still Arab League chief while former IAEA head Mohammad Al Baradei is the voice of doom and gloom. He told CNN’s Fareed Zakaria that his country is “disintegrating” socially and is in a black hole politically. Mousa wasn’t exactly inspirational either. “Our [Arab] spring is full of sandstorms,” he said.
Someone needs to tell those who are champing at the bit to launch a series of revolutions “it’s the economy, stupid?” The time for uprisings and strikes is not now when the Egyptian economy is on its knees, 70 per cent of the population is officially poor and more than 30 per cent of young people are unemployed.
The good news is there are many countries ready to come to Cairo’s aid. Wealthy G8 nations have pledged $20 billion (Dh73.4 billion) to assist Egypt and Tunisia. America has launched a debt-swap initiative to allow Egypt to convert its debts into investments and promised $ 1 billion in loan guarantees as well as cancellation of a further US$ 1 billion debt owed by Egypt to the US.
Saudi Arabia has offered to lend Egypt $4 billion in emergency funding, Qatar has promised to invest $10 billion in the country and the IMF has $35 billion available to support development in the Middle East and North Africa. The question is this. If Egypt is beset by multiple revolutions will those pledges be honored? I think not.
With correct management Egypt could emerge as a wealthy country. It has oil and gas, industry, agriculture, tourist attractions and the Suez Canal. Egyptians hold their future in their hands. Right now, it’s like a fragile butterfly. Will they squash it with a clench of their fists or will they allow it to fly?
Linda S. Heard is a British specialist writer on Middle East affairs. She welcomes feedback and can be contacted by email at heardonthegrapevines@yahoo.co.uk.