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Egypt - 12:00am

Historical Background:
Since World War II, Egypt has played a primary role in world politics. With an estimated 80 million people, it is the most populous nation in the Arab World. Since the fall of the Kingdom of Egypt in 1954, Egypt has had only 3 presidents; Gamal Abdel Nasser, Anwar Sadat, and Hosni Mubarak. Mubarak has ruled since 1981, assuming office following the assassination of Sadat. Since that time, Mubarak has led Egypt as an authoritarian ruler. Throughout his tenure as president, Mubarak has had to suppress Islamist and democratic opponents with imprisonment and electoral fraud. In the years leading up to his 2011 ousting, Mubarak was routinely criticized by Egyptians for fraudulent elections and police brutality. Mubarak fled his post on February 11, 2011, amid continuing protests and calls for his resignation.


Recent Events:
Riding the momentum started by the Tunisians, Egyptians began turning out in mass protests beginning in January 2011, demanding the resignation of President Hosni Mubarak. Protester demographics spanned across Egyptian society, with the young and unemployed forming its core. Human rights activists and religious fundamentalists, long oppressed by Mubarak's government, seized upon the opportunity to join. Mubarak, like his Tunisian counterpart, attempted to make concessions to the protesters. He agreed not to run for president in the September elections, in addition to offering vague promises for constitutional reform. Protests raged on even after the military was summoned to the cities on January 28, where they refused to use deadly force on protesters. As protests grew larger in February, Mubarak was forced to resign his position on February 11, 2011. 

Looking Forward:
The military is now in control in Egypt. The Supreme Council of Egyptian Armed Forces has declared that it will hold power for 6 months, or until elections are held. Protesters have dissipated, but recurring demonstrations are planned for consecutive Fridays as a display of Egyptian solidarity and support of the democratic movement.

M.Co: "Like Tunisia, there is still much to be decided in Egypt. The military appears genuine in its pledge to turn over power, but a lot will happen between now and whenever elections are to be held. It will be interesting to see what role, if any, the military will play in choosing and endorsing potential candidates for the presidency. The military has long been the most powerful Egyptian institution, and it now has total control of the country. While I don't anticipate a Pakistani-style junta taking power, as a historian I am skeptical that the military will hand over power without first seeing to its own interests."

Recent Posts:
3/1/2011 - Egypt Agrees to Dates for Referendum, Polls