“Supporters of Egypt’s Mursi and of the Muslim Brotherhood movement protesting earlier this week. (AFP)”
Picture Source: http://english.alarabiya.net/en/News/middle-east/2013/10/14/Mursi-supporters-push-for-protests-ahead-of-Eid.html
There has been new revelations recently that the United States has planned to cut off aid which is a good news at least on the American side. Although this seemingly obvious move was rather late. it still is a positive sign that the U.S has chosen wisely to withdraw support given the recent glaring human violations committed by the army with the help of state media in the name of “war on terror.”
As things have calmed down slowly, the sanctions and restriction of movement is hampering day to day life and it appears to be going down in a downward spiral from Mubarak getting released to sectarian violence everywhere.
The Muslim Brotherhood and the pro democracy supports are steadfast in challenging the coup and with no sign of a civilian government transitions it seems that they are right but one has to wonder if they are going to be any more effective (via protest) since the Muslim Brotherhood is banned once again, and international support are few if any at all because of their unique position as a pro-democracy with a “islamist” zeal. Things appear to be a standstill at this point in aftermath of the popular Arab Spring, which has been nothing but a past dream with many hoping to look for the answer to the ideal of freedom and democracy when it has been unattainable even after all the bloodshed and violence.
Propaganda
One would think that people outside of a particular country would be free of its propaganda and would have access to reliable news but this is not the case many Egyptians here in the US and abroad have supported the toppling of the democratic government and have asserted that the continued human rights abuses are necessary to “rid the country of terrorism.” An example of this is a good friend of my boss who supports the military complaining about the press coverage by western nations and voiced his displeasure that Al-Jazeera , ” a reliable network” , also spreading the “western propaganda” against Egypt.
Other Abuses
Unlike Sweden which had blanket asylum to Syrian refugees and Turkey and other middle Eastern countries have done their part in doing so but Egypt has been arresting Syrian refugees and placing them in “administrative detention” and ultimately deporting them presumably back to Syria. it’s things like these that make a government that had already had a coup look bad through and through and these are just the linchpins of many issues that are taking place in Egypt now.
Going Forward
Despite the turmoil and questionable actions of the Egyptian military , There is still ample time to return back to a civilian government. Banning the Muslim Brotherhood would not bring about any improvements to the political scene. This is a group that has been previously told to renounce violence and participate in elections which they did and won unequivocally so this doesn’t seem like good move. The only way to solve this issue is to restore President Morsi and finish his term. It would be a goodwill move on part of the military for the wrongs they committed and the Morsi government would have to promise substantial reforms and improvements to the quality of life.
Recommendations
In order to prevent abuse of power by both the military and the government there has to be a check in place and laws on the books to prevent nepotism, and distribution of power equally. so each legislator/ Prime minister doesn’t amass all the power.
Shaik,
I liked your last statement about the search for ideal freedom and democracy when that search has cost the life of thousands of people, not only in Egypt but in neighbor countries that deal with the same problem. In my opinion, having someone to give support is always a good thing, but the U.S. intervention in this kind of situations really complicate or make things worse. Violence among their own people because of different religious believes and unstable governments are heading nowhere!
***beliefs!
Sometimes its hard for A “westerner” to give an opinion on the government of another country, mainly because westerners think their way is the only right way. I feel like the US is always “butting” their noses into situations and sometimes they are legitimate. But i think it was smart on the US part to withdraw from this situation because it’s really out of our control. I totally agree with you on your recommendations. There needs to be some sort of Check and balances.