Mubarak!

Posted 11 Feb 2011 by Walaa Idris

Egypt

The question we should be asking; is now that Hosni Mubarak has stepped down, and as it’s very clear the Egyptian public who didn’t want him as president also does not want his hand picked Deputy Omar Suleiman to temporarily step in – and although Dr Mohamed Elbaradei, might think he’s the alternative but most don’t see him as a viable option!?

Egyptians the world over did not want Mubarak, and it is their right to choice who they want to lead them. So far most neither appear to know who they want or who can step in to run the country until an election is called. Listening to accounts of protesters, commentators and political activist alike, the message is clear; they don’t want Mubarak but also they have no idea who they want to replace him!

The choice Mubarak gave the country was the best possible solution for the situation. Until September of this year he would fill the void, thus allowing the nation and the politicians to sort things out and democratically elect their new leader.

After thirty years of an iron fist autocratic rule – it is understandable and even expected that all opposition parties and groups in Egypt are fragmented and weak, and therefore unready to jump straight into government and start running the country. Furthermore, this movement as emotive as it is, it was not planned. Nor did it come about as a result of any preparations. Even though it came out of genuine dismay, frustrations and a desire for change – and as a result of a long build up of oppression and neglect, it is still the by-product of a whim, and a chance.

Nevertheless the people have spoken and delivered.

Now, the hard work beings. For a smooth and orderly transformation that can’t get hijacked by a splinter group, the best case scenario, unfortunately, is what Mubarak has offered, but now things has changed hopefully the military can unite and guide the country and allow it to heal and build.

I posted before that Maser is Um El Donya – and she is to everyone born or raised in the region. A hurried and rushed move can turn what could be the greatest defining moment in North Africa and the Middle East into the biggest disaster and a political tragedy if not handled with extra care.

Egypt was, is and shall continue to be the heart and the hob of the region. For thousands of years she had an unequalled and unparalleled civilisation and overcame natural and manmade disasters alike. She did it then and can do it again.

My warmest congratulations to all the people of Maser!

1 comment(s)

Richard Manns

Richard Manns
11 Feb, 23:41

I have to say I cannot share your optimism that Mubarak would hold to his word; otherwise I’d be all for supporting a smooth transition by September. The protesters have had 30 years of Mubarak, and decades before of other dictators. I think they know him better than we do, and the fact that he hired some goons killed some protesters, moments after promising to step down in September, demonstrated that he was not to be trusted.

I’m afraid that sometimes you can treat governments like a creaky ship, ones that need some replacement and some patching but otherwise can sail on as before. But other times, they must be treated like a tumour: excise it and surrounding structures tainted with it. The radical surgery may be dangerous and arduous, but without it, the cancer will grow back.

Good luck to the people of Masr, may they avoid the fates of the Iranians in 79: out of the frying pan, into the fire.

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