Egyptian military retains old Mubarak regime

Crescent International

Rabi' al-Awwal 10, 1432 2011-02-13

Daily News Analysis

by Crescent International

Cairo

February 13, 2011 - 2100 DST

The Egyptian military is exposing its true face. Two days after Hosni Mubarak was driven from power, the old regime, including the much-despised Omar Suleiman, has been retained. Earlier in the day, a military spokesman announced they were dissolving parliament and suspending the constitution but did not lift the state of emergency.

The Egyptian military is exposing its true face. Two days after Hosni Mubarak was driven from power, the old regime, including the much-despised Omar Suleiman, has been retained. Earlier in the day, a military spokesman announced they were dissolving parliament and suspending the constitution but did not lift the state of emergency.

The just-dissolved parliament was dominated by Mubarak's cronies following rigged elections last November and December. In the previous parliament, the banned Muslim Brotherhood had 88 seats when its members ran as independents. In elections to the new parliament, the rigging was so blatant that they were not allowed to win a single seat. Mubarak's party, the National Democratic Party, claimed to have won 480 out of 518 seats. This was such a farce that even the military could not stomach it.

But refusing to lift the state of emergency that has been in place for more than 30 years, the military is clearly signaling that it has not abandoned the old ways. In any case, the top echelon of the military is stacked with generals beholden to Mubarak. They have also become extremely rich in the process and they will not relinquish their privileges so easily.

The military also said it would stay in power for six months, or until elections are held. This allows them to keep their options open and depending on how the situation develops, the military may be in power for a long time.

Emergence of riot police back on the streets has also led to friction with protesters many of whom have stayed in Tahrir Square. There were scuffles between the protesters and the army as the latter tried to remove people from the square.

A dedicated group of protesters has vowed not to leave the square until their demands are met including lifting the state of emergency, a clear road map toward writing a new constitution and firm promise to hold elections on time. A statement read out on state television said the higher military council said a new constitution would be drafted and put to a referendum for approval.

The prime minister, general Ahmed Shafiq, appointed on July 29 by Mubarak, said his cabinet's main priority was "security". The main threat to people's security comes from the riot police and the thousands of criminals that were let loose by the Mubarak regime to attack peaceful protesters on February 2. But when Shafiq talks about security, he means clamping down on people and sending them home so that the old system and its operatives can continue business as usual.

Despite Mubarak's removal from office, the people have a long way to go to regain their rights. The Americans and the Israelis are fully involved in manipulating the situation. Admiral Mike Mullen, Chairman US Joint Chiefs of Staff is currently visiting Jordan and Israel assuring the two regimes that Washington would protect them. Mullen is also in daily contact with Lt General Sami Enan, Egyptian Army Chief, while his boss, Robert Gates speaks to Egyptian Defence Minister Field Marshal Muhamed Hussein Tantawi.

It would be simplistic to assume that the removal of Mubarak also means the end of his oppressive regime.

END