The Egyptian Revolution, which has transfixed and inspired rebels worldwide since December of 2010, has taken yet another sharp turn. The Muslim Brotherhood's Mohammad Morsi, the president of Egypt less than 24 hours ago, has today been ousted by a popular-backed military coup.
Though President Morsi was elected democratically one year ago, he won less than 25% of the vote in the presidential elections and managed to win the second round with only 15 million votes, edging out the Mubarak loyalist Ahmed Shafiq. After taking office, Morsi has done little to alleviate the economic woes of his nation, implementing a pro-Western, neo-liberal economic policy.
Since the end of April, the Tamarod or Rebel campaign collected 22 million signatures demanding his resignation, 7 million more than he won at the ballot box only one year ago. When Morsi refused to step down following a massive day of demonstration on Sunday, Egypt's Supreme Council of Armed Forces (SCAF) gave the former president a 48-hour window to leave office. Today, that window closed and Morsi has been forcibly removed.
Although Morsi's removal is a popular move by almost all accounts, Egypt is nonetheless in an extremely treacherous situation right now. Yes, the SCAF has called for new elections and promised to follow the will of the people. But the SCAF is also littered with Mubarak loyalists who will do their best to re-establish an autocratic state very much like the old regime. They have attempted to hold power for themselves before and will do so again if popular resistance doesn't prevail.
But resistance has an impressive track record in Egypt, and there's no reason to doubt the power of the street now.
If anybody in Egypt is reading this, know that we believe in you and stand with you as the revolution enters a new and challenging stage. Know also that we strongly condemn the U.S. government for its imperial interventions in Egypt, from supporting Mubarak to supporting Morsi. Barack Obama does not speak for us. SOLIDARITY!
Read an interview with Mohammed Hassan Aazab, an Egyptian anarchist, at WagingNonViolence.org
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| One of four anarchist tents set up in Tahrir Square over the weekend protesting Morsi's rule (Waging Non-Violence/Mohammed Hassan Aazab) |
Since the end of April, the Tamarod or Rebel campaign collected 22 million signatures demanding his resignation, 7 million more than he won at the ballot box only one year ago. When Morsi refused to step down following a massive day of demonstration on Sunday, Egypt's Supreme Council of Armed Forces (SCAF) gave the former president a 48-hour window to leave office. Today, that window closed and Morsi has been forcibly removed.
Although Morsi's removal is a popular move by almost all accounts, Egypt is nonetheless in an extremely treacherous situation right now. Yes, the SCAF has called for new elections and promised to follow the will of the people. But the SCAF is also littered with Mubarak loyalists who will do their best to re-establish an autocratic state very much like the old regime. They have attempted to hold power for themselves before and will do so again if popular resistance doesn't prevail.
But resistance has an impressive track record in Egypt, and there's no reason to doubt the power of the street now.
If anybody in Egypt is reading this, know that we believe in you and stand with you as the revolution enters a new and challenging stage. Know also that we strongly condemn the U.S. government for its imperial interventions in Egypt, from supporting Mubarak to supporting Morsi. Barack Obama does not speak for us. SOLIDARITY!
Read an interview with Mohammed Hassan Aazab, an Egyptian anarchist, at WagingNonViolence.org
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