Egypt falls into another unrest

With analysts forecasting scenarios for the political crisis in Egypt, the head of Egypt's army Abdel Fattah al-Sisi announced that the Constitution had been suspended and the Head of the constitutional court Judge Adli Mansour would take over Morsi's power.  He is due to be sworn in as Interim President on July 4.

General Al-Sisi called for early Presidential and Parliamentary elections and setting up a Committee for Revising the Constitution and a National Reconciliation Committee. He said that a strong and capable government will be set up.

Demonstrators protest against President Morsi in Cairo (Photo:EPA)

In addition to ousting Morsi, the military ordered the arrest of 300 members of the Muslim Brotherhood. The Brotherhood’s TV station has suspended broadcasting and its managers have been arrested.

Meanwhile, according to local media, ousted President Morsi has been taken to the headquarters of the army’s intelligence agency.

On July 1, the army delivered an ultimatum warning of military intervention and proposing a political roadmap for the country if the government was not responsive to the people’s demands within 48 hours. Morsi ignored the ultimatum and Muslim groups launched a nationwide protest to support the President’s constitutional legitimacy.

As predicted, while negotiations on the establishment of a new government were underway, violence occurred. The Muslim Brotherhood released a statement describing Morsi’s overthrow a betrayal of the revolution and democracy that Egyptians believe in. Morsi’s supporters and opponents clashed in Alexandria. If the unrest continues, it will be difficult to set up a new government.

Recent political developments in Egypt have worried the West. EU Foreign Policy Chief Catherine Ashton called on conflicting parties in Egypt to return to democracy and hold free and fair Presidential and Parliamentary elections.

British Foreign Secretary William Hague urged conflicting parties to refrain from violence and opposed military intervention aimed at regime change.

US President Barak Obama called on the Egyptian army to hand over power to a civil government as soon as possible. However, the US refused to judge the Egyptian army’s action and ordered the US Embassy staff to leave Cairo. President Obama asked his administration to consider assistance to the Egyptian government.

In contrast to the West, Gulf countries praised the action in Egypt. Saudi Arabia’s King Abdullah sent a congratulatory message to Adli Mansour on his appointment as interim leader. The United Arab Emirates praised the Egyptian armed forces and changes in the country.

More unrest in Egypt is forecast and more than 80 million Egyptians will continue to endure a stagnant economy along with political uncertainty.