First, let us assume that there is no current disguised understanding between SCAF and the MB; instead they are engaged in a dogfight over who will have the upper hand in Egypt. Should we take sides?
I would never side with SCAF even if it meant the weakening of the MB, whom I despise so much. SCAF is a bunch of army generals who are working frantically to preserve the privileges they enjoyed under Mubarak. They are old, undemocratic and will never relent their position in the country without a fight. Nevertheless, the most important reason why I would never take the side of SCAF in this current political struggle is the fact that I have seen their crimes during that past year and a half. I was in Abasiyah, in Maspero, in Mohamed Mahmoud, in the Council of Ministries. I have seen people killed, maimed and beaten ruthlessly by army soldiers; taking the side of SCAF means supporting people with blood on their hands.
I would never side with the MB either. Just as I saw SCAF for the past year and half, I also saw the MB. I have seen how they sold the revolution for their own self interests. I have seen how they have slept with SCAF on the same bed and turned a blind eye when revolutionaries were killed in Mohamed Mahmoud and at the Council of Ministers. The MB and SCAF are two sides of the same coin. They are two institutions who are only after their own self interests. Thousands of MB youth participated in the revolution in January 2011, but their leadership is far from the revolution that these youth believed in. They were far more comfortable forging backdoor deals with the army generals. It is interesting to note that the MB never really amassed their followers and flexed their muscles in Tahrir unless it was for some political gain of theirs. In short, what the MB leadership did during the past year and half brought my trust in them to its nadir.
So which side should we take? While some revolutionaries chose to side with the elected MB against SCAF, I made up my mind to grab the pop corn and watch the dogfight. As far as I am concerned, SCAF and the MB are exactly like two thugs fighting each other and the revolution is caught in the middle. Neither thug gives a hoot about the revolution. Why would I support a side while I know beyond a shadow of doubt that the winner will evetually turn against me.
Aren’t the MB elected? Yes they were. However, who said that democracy is all about a ballot box? Give me a country with a constitution, a viable civil society and laws that will protect me from MB greed and betrayal and I will support the elected faction. Until now, we have nothing that safeguards us from the obvious plans of the MB to become another National Democratic Party (but with the addition of a small beard). If we assumed that the MB managed to win the current fight against the Constitutional Court, do you think they will tell us “hey, we got rid of Mubarak’s courts, let’s build a modern independent judiciary system”? In your dreams! They will replace Mubarak’s court with their own court instead.
On a different note, President Morsi won by just 51.7% of the votes. Only 800,000 votes separate him from Ahmed Shafik. And to be honest with you, 800,000 votes are not enough for me to throw myself in the bosom of the MB!
So what should the revolutionaries do besides watching the unfolding power struggle? First, they should correct the mistakes I’ve wrote about here. Second, Egypt needs an alternative to the MB and the army generals. There must be a third option provided to the people in the upcoming elections. If that third option did not arise, we’ll remain enslaved to the outcome of the MB and SCAF dogfight.
Interesting analysis.
I understand the MB two-faceness. but with knowing that, wouldn’t it be in the revolutions best interest to side with SCAF to put down the MB once and for all, then move against SCAF with a viable opposition?
I sort of feel that siding with MB (or not siding with either) plays into the MBs hands to take over key positions (judiciary, education, economic), which would further entrench them, making the goal of a civil society that much harder since they can always claim, “we were elected, its democratic and civil.”
either way, I contend that Morsy does not last 1 year.
Best of Luck! I dream of the day Egypt is a true civil and democratic society. Egypt has so much going for it and deserves the opportunity to be free so it can show the world how amazing a country it really is.
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Comment by store inexpensive christian louboutin heels at theauthenticnike.com ,Click Here — July 14, 2012 @ 4:54 am
I couldn’t agree more & so would the larger percentage of Egyptians (just by adding votes voided in the 2nd round of presidential elections to those obtained by the Farik – we all know that these in addition to those of numerous who didn’t bother to show up at polling stations – would have gone to most any other liberal, non-Islamist candidate). I also liked your analysis of ‘where revolutionaries went wrong’. To make it right though and sooner than later, this majority has to get cracking. I don’t see them unite except under a strong leadership. How to get there? What is happening with the Dostour Party? I know the Masreyiin El-Ahrar, the Democraty & around 50 NGOs are holding some conference at the Al-Azhar next Monday evening. Should this be the start? Many questions..not enough answers & upcoming elections could be sooner than we think.
Comment by Marion Chafik Charobim — July 14, 2012 @ 3:11 pm
I would suggest to support the SCAF just enough to keep them going against the MB. Never something compromising, but siding with them on principle when the reason arise.
For example, when the Constitutional Court (or what it is called) ruled the election of the parliament unlawful and ordered to repeat them. The point is to prevent the MB from occupying all the strongholds of Egypt, like the Parliament, the Judiciary, etc.
To show up they are not so powerful they are able to take everyone up and do as they like unopposed.
You wrote the best reason to support the SCAF: they are old.
If you are able to keep the MB from prevailing over the SCAF, the SCAF will be forced to compromise with the moderates to prevent the MB from gaining power.
Comment by Mirco Romanato — July 14, 2012 @ 11:22 pm
[...] a lot of the cards of the game in their hands. This resulted in what Big Pharaoh called, “The Clash Of The Thugs“, a struggle between SCAF and the Brotherhood over who will have the upper hand in Egypt. [...]
Pingback by Egypt: The Big Pharaoh grabs his Pop Corn · Global Voices — July 16, 2012 @ 10:46 am
[...] a lot of the cards of the game in their hands. This resulted in what Big Pharaoh called, “The Clash Of The Thugs“, a struggle between SCAF and the Brotherhood over who will have the upper hand in Egypt. [...]
Pingback by Egypt: The Big Pharaoh grabs his Pop Corn :: Elites TV — July 16, 2012 @ 11:28 am
Thank you for the write up as it painted a clear picture of the current reality.
What are your thoughts on Hizb it Tahrir who have recently held a conference pertaining to a realistic alternative to the current system which seems to have been received quite well.
We find faces changing in leadership but the underlying system is as corrupt as ever as can be seen with Scaf and how MB however smart they have tried playing it have been manipulated again and again after compromising many times on base principles?
Any thoughts on this would be much appreciated as many people have failed I bring this discussion in to light?
Surely, we need to now put aside prejudice and look at realistic alternatives to move out of this faltering state.
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Comment by Ali — July 28, 2012 @ 7:04 am