FRI 29 - 3 - 2024
 
Date: Jan 28, 2011
 
Resisting change fans the flames

Friday, January 28, 2011
Editorial

 

If the eyes of the world are now being directed at Egypt and the unrest that has shaken the country, people should not be surprised – the last few years have seen indications of the profound discontent in the land of the Nile. Naturally, Egypt has not seen anything resembling the scope of protests that have broken out around the country. For now, the casualties have been kept to a minimum, with the police shying away from using live ammunition against the demonstrators.


It is no exaggeration to say the world is monitoring both the developments, and the likely ramifications.
Egypt stands squarely in the Arab world but is also a key player in Africa. It acts as a gateway between continents, and many regions might be shaken if something dramatic takes place. The developments in Egypt will reverberate around the region, and it’s clear that the demonstrators against the regime of President Hosni Mubarak have an easily identifiable demand: change.


The longer that rulers avoid change, the worse the situation will become, since change is inevitable. People have been eager to draw parallels with Tunisia, which earlier this month ousted its long-time ruler. Unlike Tunisia, the discontent in Egypt had been rising quite obviously, even if it was not on everyone’s radar.


The grievances are well-known: politically, people have been demanding the right to express themselves, and chafing at the long-time state of emergency, along with the near-monopoly on power by the ruling National Democratic Party. The socio-economic situation has involved huge levels of frustration for the average citizen. All of Egypt appears to be unsettled, especially the country’s youth who see no light at the end of the tunnel. Some of the thousands of high school and university graduates who emerge each year from the educational system may get lucky and find a job, but the reality is many must eke out a living at home or travel abroad to the Gulf, for example, where they do menial work.

 

Traditionally, Egyptians have been known to be tolerant and placid in the face of such conditions, but there comes a time when all patience is simply exhausted.


No one should suggest that foreign parties are behind the unrest. Egyptians, of whatever class or social standing, might have plenty to disagree about among themselves, but their patriotism is a red line. The dissent is home-grown, and if it remains unaddressed, the explosion will come, sooner or later.


The government’s timid moves thus far, offering dialogue to its critics, may be a case of too little, too late. Tunisia experienced the same reaction by its former regime, and if anything can be learned from that experience, it is that authorities must embrace true change, and not just cosmetic measures. Otherwise, only a series of unpalatable and dangerous developments await.


 


The views and opinions of authors expressed herein do not necessarily state or reflect those of the Arab Network for the Study of Democracy
 
Readers Comments (0)
Add your comment

Enter the security code below*

 Can't read this? Try Another.
 
Inside:
Why Algeria will not go Egypt's way
When revolutionary euphoria subsides: Lessons from Ukraine
A letter from the Cedar Revolution to the Nile Revolution
Mubarak, save Egypt and leave
Barack Obama sees Egypt, but remembers Indonesia
Just changing generals is not freedom
Egypt’s Youth are Responsible for Defending their Revolution from Those who Would Climb upon It
Can Lebanon kill its own tribunal?
Egypt's future in Egyptian hands
Social media are connecting Arab youths and politicians
The Mediterranean between sunny skies and clouds of pessimism
For the West, act of contrition time
Why Arabs have airbrushed Lebanon out
The Tunisian experience is likely to mean evolution in Morocco
Can Egypt's military become platform for political change?
Lost generations haunt Arab rulers
Democracy: not just for Americans
For better or worse, Arab history is on the move
The Middle East's freedom train has just left the station
Mubarak's only option is to go
Ben Ali's ouster was the start, and Mubarak will follow
Is this a Gdansk moment for the Arabs?
Tunisia may be a democratic beacon, but Islamists will profit
Egypt's battle requires focus
The Arabs' future is young and restless
Hezbollah enters uncharted territory
Exhilarating Arab revolts, but what comes afterward?
Arab rulers' only option is reform
To participate or not to participate?
choice decisive for Lebanon
Lebanon typifies Arab political poverty
Between Tunisia’s Uprising and Lebanon’s Tribunal
Lebanon, Between Partnership and Unilateralism
What might Hezbollah face once the trial begins?
In Lebanon, echoes of the Iraq crisis
Is Hezbollah's eye mainly on Syria?
Egypt's Copt crisis is one of democracy
The thrill and consequences of Tunisia for the Arab region
Three Arab models are worth watching
Tunisia riots offer warning to Arab governments
Tunisia has a lesson to teach
Amid stalemate, let negotiations begin!
Time for Lebanese to re-think stances
North Africa at a tipping point
The Options Available When Faced with the Failure of Arab Governments
Latifa and Others
The past Lebanese decade
Troubling trends in this Arab new year
An independent Egyptian Web site gives women a voice
Yet another Arab president for life
Beyond the STL
Fight the roots of extremism
Fractures prevail as Arabs cap 2010
Truth about injustice will help reduce Muslim radicalization
Christian flight would spell the end for the Arab world
Defining success in the Lebanon tribunal
60% of the Lebanese and 40% of Shiites Support the Choice of Justice
Without remedy, Lebanon faces abyss
The Saudi succession will affect a broad circle of countries
The Arab world faces a silent feminist revolution
The canard of regime change in Syria
Egypt faces a legitimacy crisis following flawed elections
Lebanon: Reform starts with politicians
Human Rights: Three priorities for Lebanon
What's changed?
Monitoring in the dark
Myths about America
Lessons from the fringes
On campus, not all get to vote
'Your credit is due to expire'!
Blood for democracy
Lebanon can solve its own problems
The Janus-like nature of Arab elections
Social Structural Limitations for Democratization in the Arab World
Jordan’s Public Forums Initiative
Islamic Historic Roots of the Term
Copyright 2024 . All rights reserved