In Egypt, political activists and scholars gathered in hundreds over the weekend for a meeting aimed at “protecting the revolution.” The group plans on electing a 60-member council to represent their voice in Egypt’s transition to democracy.
More than 2,000 political activists met for the gathering organized by engineering consultant and activist Mamduh Hamza. The northern African country is currently under military leadership since the mass uprising forced out longtime leader Hosni Mubarak on February 11.
The meeting over the weekend is one of a series of meetings designed to elect a 60-member ‘National Council’ that will work with Egyptian authorities to plan for the future and transitional government. The council has formed to combat rising influence of the Islamist and Islamic groups such as Salafists. These groups were dormant under Mubarak’s regime.
The National Council is expected to be the “main voice of the revolution and potentially a main driver in the transitional phase.” The council wants to protect and preserve the gains made during the uprising. Activists who attended the meeting were workers, farmers, and youth groups that helped to organize the revolution.
Mubarak turned the country over to the Supreme Council of Armed Forces before he stepped down. The military vowed to create a free democratic system. The military council put to referendum changes in the constitution that limit the terms of a president. The measure received an overwhelming ‘yes’ vote.
However, the military rulers have been criticized for the slow pace of reform and alleged rights abuses. Since the regime change, Egypt has also been gripped by insecurity, sectarian unrest, and a “counter-revolution” by remnants of the old regime aimed at sowing chaos. There has also been criticism launched at the military for the slow response to arresting members of the former regime.
On The Web
- Worrying Signs from Egypt (commentarymagazine.com)
- Egypt To Try 190 People Over Fatal Clashes (news.sky.com)
