Why is turmoil sweeping over Egypt again?

The "Land of the Nile" is in turmoil once again-somewhat unexpectedly since few had anticipated that the nation would experience this situation after the remarkable February development that opened the prospects of democracy flourishing in the country. The 'Arab Spring' that has brought glorious achievements forcing the long-time autocrats to capitulate before the pro-democracy movement, has particularly been splendid as it ousted the strongman for three-decades, Hosni Mubarak. But the omens created by the Egyptian revolution in February this year appear to have lost its steam as the main objectives remained unfulfilled and the supreme council of the armed forces (SCAF) that was entrusted with the task of staging elections for switching over to a democratic system is clearly dragging its feet on many matters. This has evidently forced many people to come out on to the streets and assemble in the Tahrir Square-the symbolic venue of anti-government protest for democratic and economic reforms, which is bristling with demonstrators once again. Unfortunately, this time too the events there are mingled with blood as twenty protestors died and scores of others were injured in the crackdown against anti-government demonstrations. This protests may not be as severe in magnitude that forced Mubarak to quit, but is not much less either as unremitting calls for democracy and other promised reforms are making Egypt again to hog the headlines in the international media. The protestors are asking the interim military council that is running the nation to quit as early as possible and hand over power to a civilian authority. They smell rat in the designs of the military council and are clamouring for a "real change." The military-backed civilian cabinet of Prime Minister Essam Saraf has resigned in the face of the situation snowballing. But this along with some other concessions by the authorities are not being taken as enough by the protestors, who are keeping the pot boiling. The situation in Egypt was instable, at least when this piece was being written, even when the nation is preparing for the parliamentary elections on November 28. Why is this situation being witnessed in a country, which paid so much in terms of blood and otherwise for the "revolution" and has embarked upon a "road map" to democracy? Is it not a little contrary to the expectations raised by the ouster of autocrat Hosni Mubarak only a few months ago? Is the "road map" to democracy being scuttled by 'vested' quarters-so as to turn the achievements of the mass upsurge meaningless? These are definitely some of the pertinent questions which are being asked in the context of the current agitation in the Tahrir Square and several other places across Egypt. Following the successful denouement of the peoples' movement for democratic and economic reforms in the country of 850 million, the military took over with the promise that it is at the helm only as an interim arrangement to the road to democracy. The parliamentary polls were announced for November 28 and presidential elections were expected to follow soon. While the parliamentary polls date has been scheduled, the presidential polls are being planned in late 2012 or early 2013. This is being seen by many as a ploy to delay the process of democratic transition. Besides, several actions of the interim military council are being considered as not consistent with the hopes created by the downfall of the Mubarak regime. Many suspect that the military is not as sincere as was expected in its pledges about the political and economic reforms in the country. They seem to be looking askance at the "motives" of the ruling circles and hence, asking the SCAF to stay away from power altogether for the sake of much cherished democracy in the country. The sincerity of Field Marshal Hussain Tantawai, the head of the council, is also being questioned. The demonstrations in the Tahrir Square have been bloody as the government used force and many countries including the United States, Britain and United Nation's secretary-general have expressed deep concern over the developments in Egypt. The Amnesty International said the loss of lives in the protests is unacceptable. As the overall conditions continue to deteriorate, the cabinet of Prime Minister Essam Saraf quit although it was not clear if the resignation has been accepted. This civilian ministry was seen as too weak and inefficient as well as subordinate to the military. The demonstrators burst into cheers when the news of the resignation of the Saraf's ministry reached them and chanted slogans, "Allah is Great" but also yelled, "We want the Field Marshal to go too," obviously alluding to the powerful Hussain Tantawai. It is clear that they want the armed forces to quit the scene of governance. They want a peaceful and meaningful voting for parliament and also the presidential elections in the immediate future. The council is seeking to pacify the protestors and invited them for talks on major issue, but it remains to be seen if such gestures would bear any fruit since the demonstrators appear quite stubborn. However, the number of the protestors is not that big as some political forces seem to be not taking part in the current agitation in the manner they did before. It is possible that a key political force, Muslim Botherhood, is busy with the electioneering, hoping that they would fare well in the voting. The Egyptian scene may deteriorate further unless the military council takes measures to clear the smokescreen created by many of its actions regarding democratic progress of the nation. It also needs to punish the plunderers of the former regime, whose several key figures are still very much in existence with the present ruling set-up. Egyptian "revolution" can not go in vain and any attempt to obviate the achievements would be not only fruitless, but is fraught with colossal dangers. zaglulbss@yahoo.com