The Middle-East Observer » Egyptian elections

Amr Moussa’s vision for Egypt could upset military

François-Alexandre Roy T. — Tue, 07 Feb 2012 23:52:54 +0000

Amr Moussa, former secretary-general of the Arab League and candidate to Egypt's presidency.

Former Arab League secretary-general Amr Moussa is a top contender for the presidential seat in Egypt’s new-found democracy. In a recent interview, he said that the military, under his leadership, would be one of the basic institutions in Egypt and not a separate one with its own rules which the military has enjoyed under Mubarak’s regime. He stressed his will to fight corruption in order to strengthen the economy, to preserve strong ties with the United States for Egypt to regain its leading role in the Middle East, to respect the peace treaty with Israel and to cooperate with the Islamist majority in parliament even if he is himself a liberal. Moussa’s critics argue that he is too closely linked to Mubarak’s regime to be the leader of the new Egypt; Moussa worked for 10 years as Egypt’s foreign minister under Mubarak.

Al Arabiya, Saudi Arabia

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Analysis: Deep in the Sinai, a looming crisis threatens Egypt-Israel peace treaty

YosefSadowsky — Wed, 01 Feb 2012 12:06:54 +0000

Since the fall of Hosni Mubarak, the security situation of the Sinai Peninsula has deteriorated significantly and consequently is endangering Israeli-Egyptian peace. Yesterday, disgruntled Bedouins abducted 25 Chinese workers as a sign resistance, demanding the release of those still held in jail since the 2004 Sinai terror crackdown enacted by Hosni Mubarak.

Militant Bedouins are capitalizing on the lack of security forces in the Sinai, due to priorities in Egypt’s higher populated center. They have taken belligerent actions to protest the mistreatment of the Sinani Bedouin and to compensate for their poor socio-economic standing. Such militant activities by some Bedouins and other extremist groups have increased recently in the form of attacks against Egyptian tourist locations in the Sharm-al Sheikh area and against an Israeli-Jordanian gas pipeline running through the region. While some view the rise in activity as a mere flare up that will not have a lasting impact, others worry that prolonged unrest in the center will create a security vacuum thus empowering bands of militant Bedouins.

The Muslim Brotherhood, an Islamist political party with a history of anti-Israel tendencies, has gained control of a majority of Egyptian parliament seats, raising the possibility that one incident could endanger the longstanding Egypt-Israel peace treaty.

“Measures are needed to prevent the total collapse of security in and around the peninsula, avoid the rise of an armed, runaway Bedouin statelet, and minimise the risk of Israeli-Egyptian peace imploding under the pressures of the wild Sinai frontier,” an Israeli journalist said.

The National, United Arab Emirates

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Debate: Egypt one year on: what next for the unfinished revolution?

The Middle-East Observer — Fri, 27 Jan 2012 13:59:22 +0000

While the West has been focusing on the electoral victory of Islamists, Egyptians main concern has been the military and its promise to transfer power to a civilian government.

Guests:

Ismail ALEXANDRANI, Blogger and activist;
Dina ZAKARIA, Member, Muslim Brotherhood and Co-founder, Freedom and Justice Party;
Ahmed ABD EL-FATAH, Videojournalist, Al Masry Al Youm news group;
François ZIMERAY, French Ambassador for Human Rights;
Melissa BELL, France 24 International Affairs Editor.

Focus: Egypt’s Salafist surge

The Middle-East Observer — Fri, 27 Jan 2012 10:48:32 +0000

In a matter of months, Egypt’s ultra-conservative Salafists have beaten a path from marginalised religious sect to major political force. But what do we know about them, aside from their heavily religious roots?

France24, France

Scorecard: Egypt since the revolution

François-Alexandre Roy T. — Wed, 25 Jan 2012 22:58:28 +0000

Celebrations in Tahrir Square, Cairo after the announcement of Mubarak's resignation

Egypt’s revolution came to life on January 25th, 2011 and since then the military generals of the Supreme Council of the Armed Forces have been the de facto rulers of Egypt. Egyptian protesters had many demands that had to be met quickly by the military after the toppling of former president Hosni Mubarak currently on trial. One year later, the revolution lives on. But have those demands been met?

Al Jazeera, Qatar

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Islamists win 70% of Egypt People’s Assembly party list seats

The Middle-East Observer — Sun, 22 Jan 2012 02:58:08 +0000

Egypt’s electoral commission has published the final results of the first parliamentarian elections in the country since the ousting of President Mubarak. Islamist parties received, as a whole, account for 70% of the People’s Assembly.

The Freedom and Justice Party (FJP), party of the Muslim Brotherhood, secured 38% of the seats. The Salafist Al Nour party came second with 29%. Al Wasat, moderate Islamist, received 3% of the seats.

The most successful non-Islamist parties were the Wafd Party, with 11% of the seats, and the Egyptian Bloc, which received 10%.

Al Ahram, Egypt

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Analysis: There is no ‘Turkish model’ for Egypt

François-Alexandre Roy T. — Wed, 18 Jan 2012 10:57:16 +0000

Egypt’s young revolutionaries hold Turkey’s Justice and Development Party (AKP) as an example for Egypt in its democratic struggle. Their praise the AKP’s ability to cope with secular democracy in a mostly Muslim society.
But the reason behind the Turkish islamists’ pragmatism and acceptance of secular democracy is clearly identifiable: it is those neoliberal reforms in the 1980s which created a class of businessmen advocating for political pragmatism, stability, a small state, and strong links to the European Union as an economic partner. It is those Islamists who created the AKP.
Conversely, Mubarak’s neoliberalism only benefitted himself and his cronies. Today, the Muslim Brotherhood’s Freedom and Justice Party advocates for a greater role for the state with strict control over economic aspects such as planning, production, price regulation…etc. And unlike its Turkish counterpart, religion occupies the center of the stage for the Muslim Brotherhood.

The Daily Star, Lebanon

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Egypt’s transition to democracy grows more messy

François-Alexandre Roy T. — Tue, 17 Jan 2012 07:10:47 +0000

Mohamed el Baradei

Mohammed ElBaradei’s decision to pullout of the presidential race in Egypt came to some as a surprise while others believe it is a calculated move to discredit the political process for it’s disordely and fast pace. The Nobel Peace prize laureate made harsh criticism aimed at SCAF’s generals during Saturday’s announcement. In his withdrawal statement, ElBaradei wrote: “Under his leadership, the ship is being rocked by waves. … We offer him all kinds of help, but he declines, insisting on taking the old route as if no revolution had taken place and no regime had fallen,” Iconic Egyptian activist Shady al-Ghazaly Harb said: “He will be back doing grass roots work and that may help unite the youth to effect change.”, which was confirmed by ElBaradei: “My decision does not mean I am leaving the arena, but continuing to serve this nation more effectively from outside authority and free of all shackles.”

Al Arabiya, Saudi Arabia

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Debate: Egypt’s Islamists: Threat or opportunity?

The Middle-East Observer — Sun, 15 Jan 2012 21:40:40 +0000

As Islamist parties emerge from elections as the country’s leading political force, should Egyptians be concerned?

Guests: Joshua Stacher, a professor of political science at Kent State University; Dia’a Rashwan, al-Ahram Center for Strategic Studies; and Dr Sherif El-Haggan, a professor, AUC.

Al Jazeera, Qatar

Analysis: Egypt’s triumphant Muslim Brotherhood eyes political credibility

François-Alexandre Roy T. — Sat, 14 Jan 2012 11:57:24 +0000

Muslim Brotherhood women.

Analysts say the Muslim Brotherhood is looking to show the world it’s credibility as Egypt’s leading party. After winning the majority of seats in the parliamentary elections, the Muslim Brotherhood wants to establish a coalition with other Egyptian parties. Muslim Brotherhood’s Freedom and Justice Party (FJP) chief Mohammed Mursi said “The party believes that all political powers in Egypt should be in accord with each other to help achieve the goals of the revolution”. The FJP continues to show a moderate stance in the political arena in order “ to distinguish itself from the Salafists” says Cairo University political sciences professor Nevine Mosaad adding; “But will it keep it up? It isn’t sure”.

Al Arabiya, United Arab Emirates

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