On Friday, April 15, a day protestors labelled Friday of the Land, hundreds if not thousands gathered in front of the Press Syndicate to protest the demarcation of the Egyptian border with Saudi and the handing over of two islands, Tiran and Sanafir, to Saudi Arabia. Another protest on April 25 is scheduled. It is the prerogative of those Egyptians to protest to their hearts’ contents if they consider some decisions erroneous or unsound.
In the large scheme of things, this protest wasn’t massive by any standard, but it was significant nonetheless. Though the protestors were fewer than the runners who completed the half marathon in Maadi earlier on that morning, it is what some shouted, “Go,” that made all the difference. “Go” is the same word used on January 25th against Mubarak and on June 30th against Morsi. And this is where the protestors erred.
It is as though the exiting of presidents has become a chronic perennial endeavour. Well, if we ousted one and then another, we can always oust the third, or so they say, right? Wrong!
It seems that Egyptians suffer from amnesia or at least a lapse in memory. They tend to be forgetful of the events that followed the calls for the downfall of both ousted presidents. This is my humble effort to jolt Egyptians into remembering and to shock them into understanding the ramifications of such a catastrophic course.
Egypt had a glorious revolution on January 25th. In many ways, it changed Egyptians forever. As a result, Egyptians today expect the best of their president and dispute what they consider misjudgments ever so bluntly and outspokenly. Listen to the media, standard and social, and you will realize that Egyptians question decisions openly, voice concerns boldly, and are knowledgeable on everything Egyptian. They go further; in fact, some Egyptians think they know better than the president and government and give themselves the right to say so forthrightly.
However, while some stood their ground in Tahrir Square on January 25th, pandemonium ruled across many Egyptian cities. Cairo was described as a war zone with thugs looting stores and smashing ATM machines; with stores, schools, and banks closing their doors; and with transportation coming to a near halt. It is a miracle that power and food supplies remained intact.
Egyptians abided to the enforced curfew out of fear for their safety mainly. Still Tahrir filled to the brim, and neighbourhood watch groups stayed up all night to maintain order and protect personal belongings and families.
The glorious mood in Tahrir was juxtaposed with the killing and maiming of hundreds, and many a woman was sexually harassed. Prisoners escaped from prisons, the police force lost the power to control, and a state of chaos reigned. Airports filled up with fleeing tourists in the hopes of catching a flight home as resorts emptied en masse.
Unarmed and spontaneous, the protestors took it as far as ousting Mubarak and his cronies, but couldn’t take it any further. However, the Muslim Brotherhood members, who were more organized, took over immediately. The course they chose will remain etched in the minds of all Egyptians forever.
On June 30th, 2013, Egyptians opted to go the same route against President Morsi and his clan with wider and stronger protests. This time round the army intervened and completed the process for the multitudes, peacefully if I may add.
However, even June 30th had its dark consequences. The Muslim Brotherhood congregated in Rabaa Square for months only to be dispersed by force. Hundreds again met their death leaving Egyptians with a lingering sour taste in their mouths.
In various areas of Egypt, the Muslim Brotherhood retaliated, as they still do every now and then. Kerdassa, Mataria, Downtown Cairo, and many other areas saw bloodshed and rampant killings. Army and police officers; government officials such as Public Prosecutor Hisham Barakat, and even innocent bystanders died in brazen, deliberate attacks and crossfires.
It’s been five years already, and yet the aftereffects of these two revolutions linger and haunt Egypt. More today than ever before, all government buildings, churches, airports, hotels, schools, and universities—basically anywhere Egyptians group—are carefully monitored and surveilled lest someone opts to cause harm. Until today, security forces are targeted in Sinai and elsewhere. Until today, Egyptians are dying at the hands of terrorists.
Economically Egypt is suffering, too; the pound is at a record low, the tourists haven’t returned, and much of the hard work taking place hasn’t come to fruition yet.
Any deviation from the set route and the damage this time will be ironclad. Egypt as we know it will dissipate into thin air, and those who want Egypt’s downfall will be rubbing their hands in malicious glee.
And this time round the Couch Party, aka the majority, those who sat out the first round, perturbed and watchful but who never budged from their homes, have also gained a voice and a presence. They will react against the protestors for what they would see as a repeat of previous ordeals. Even in the peaceful demonstration that took place on April 15, 2016, some gave the protestors a hard time, asking them to stop their activities and later handing them over to authorities.
This time round it will not be free sailing for the protestors, and we may end up with Egyptians against Egyptians, those who are with the regime against those who aren’t. And isn’t that how a civil uprising usually starts?
It’s high time we speak to one another without resorting to showdowns and brawls. It’s high time we question a president’s action without calling for his resignation. It’s high time we focus on the welfare of Egypt and not on being right.
I suggest Egyptians call for change, protest as much as they please, and expect the best from the president and his team, but under no circumstances can we go through a repeat of 2011 and 2013 yet again.
Enough already.
