Egypt Stands up for Itself and Demands That Mubarak Leaves

      First, please look at these pictures.

I have to say that I’m excited; I spent a lot of time in Egypt hearing about how the Egyptians were apathetic, and how the government was focused on separating the haves from the have-nots, as that meant the upper echelons were worried about keeping the status quo that favored them while the poor were worried about getting food on the table rather than about what was going on in the government. I am also worried, however; people are getting hurt, people are dying, and it could escalate. 

The simple fact that the people are rebelling, however,  means that they care enough to change what is happening, and that is important if they want their demands met. I have distinct memories of sitting in class, and having kids ask why they should care what their government did. They saw the problems, but saw no point in voting, and no point in doing any sort of public work. I remember one kid endorsing another candidate, and the rest acknowledged that he could be better, but were more or less resigned to the fact that Mubarak was going to continue being president, and that his son, Gamal, would take over.

The protests began Jan. 24, with the death toll now at 74, protesting Mubarak’s long reign (since 1981, with little sign of backing down). The government’s trying to crack down; the tear gas is obviously a pretty major attempt at deterring protesters. The demonstrators, however, seem undeterred, as they continue to break curfew, despite the extended hours, and protest. Seven hundred inmates broke out of a jail in Fayoum, and even army captains have been joining demonstrators. The protests have further been extended to Alexandria and Suez, and many are looting the National Democratic Party’s (the ruling party) offices. Some blogs are still worried about the effectiveness of the security officers, who are largely seen as unable to quell the crowds. Luckily, so far both the army and citizens are working to protect the Egyptian Museum, which houses some of the most important Egyptian artifacts, including King Tut’s golden masks, and is located in Tahrir Square, where the protests are especially heavy; unfortunately, two mummies have been harmed already.

Photo Courtesy of Celeste Small

This is the Egyptian Museum in Cairo, which Egyptians are working to protect from the demonstrators.

On Friday, Jan. 23, Mubarak fired a good deal of his Cabinet and promised to pass reforms; protesters, however, want a completely new government, and for all the Mubaraks to leave office. On Saturday, Jan. 24, Mubarak appointed Omar Suleiman, the intelligence chief, as his vice president, prompting talk that he could be his new successor; Mubarak also named Ahmed Shafiq as his new prime minister. Suleiman’s appointment could create issues in that he frequently visits Israel; despite a peace treaty with the country, Egyptians still revile Israel.

       Mubarak shut down all telecommunications systems on Jan. 24, which, as much as I hate to say it, is despotically smart. Especially since Twitter was used in the Iranian protests last year, shutting down their system of communication is clever but maniacal. As far as I know, Egypt has never limited Facebook, Twitter, or other social networking, but those who used those means were closely monitored and, as I mentioned in my last post, those who openly criticized and defied the government were pursued and arrested.

Currently, no one is sure what is happening, but Hot Air is following the rumors, and recorded that the wealthy seem to be leaving.

A major question is what will happen to relations with the United States. Mubarak and the United States have been allies, especially since the Camp David accords, which involved talks between the Menachem Begin, the prime minister of Israel, and Anwar El Sadat, the president of Egypt, in 1978 with President Carter. The U.S. reportedly respects Suleiman, but it is still holding to the demand that Mubarak pass reforms. 

If Mubarak falls, will the United States still have an at least stable relationship with the country? If Mubarak stays, do we support a regime that is being unilaterally criticized by its own country? Right now, thankfully, Obama is moving away from Mubarak, promising to review the $1.5 billion in aid it provides the country and, along with Hillary Rodham Clinton, rebuking the communications shutdown. He is further holding Mubarak accountable to his promises for democracy and greater economic opportunity. Still, it will be an uphill battle to win over the Egyptians, though from what I witnessed myself, they like both the Americans and Obama. If the United States offers to help in constructive ways (read: not sending over troops when they are not wanted), relations could still be salvaged. Currently, it is warning the citizens that they should try to maintain peaceful measures.

With so many Arab countries protesting recently, I think that it will be a little easier for all of them to succeed. It’s one thing to sit in Egypt and think that there is a problem but be scared to do anything about it; it’s another thing to see people in all the countries surrounding you acknowledging that there is a problem and taking action. Tunisia already ousted their president. Jordan is protesting its cost of living. Yemen demanded that President Saleh step down. Algeria wants “a dramatic change in regime.” People in Turkey, in Tunisia, and in Paris are joining in protesting Egypt’s government. Like I said before, I don’t necessarily think they all need democracies per se, because that simply would not work for all the countries. What they do need is a government that listens to their concerns and that suits the country’s individual needs, and in Egypt, they want a democracy. Clearly, if they feel the need to protest in order to get their feelings heard, there’s a problem.

I am actually energized seeing the crowds, but it is rather nerve-wracking when, after all the people I met from the area, who have discussed the situation with me and explained to me the problems and concerns, could actually be there, protesting. I’ve been in Tahrir Square. A lot. I know the area, and I know people who live near the area. It’s scary and exhilarating to think about. The Egyptians are in my thoughts and in my heart.