So much for the Spring
So much has happened in Egypt in the last few years that the days of hope that came with the Arab Spring seem a story from another life. Back in ’11, when millions gathered in Cairo’s Tahrir Square and sang and danced Mubarak to oblivion, it seemed that the region might just have overcome its paralysis of centuries to carve out its own path. It was a truly landmark event. Everybody was caught off guard. One day before Mubarak finally resigned, Hillary Clinton called him “practically family”. And while the overthrow was taken as a success, not all that followed suited those who had brought about the novelty.
Ironically, the Brotherhood chose not to participate in the uprising against Mubarak. It was the work of left wing liberals, mostly, and a huge mass of civil society ‘twitter’ activists. Tens of thousands, brandishing their diplomas and CVs, demanded a more respectful life. But when Mubarak was gone and an election called, these bright liberals had no political platform to gather on. The Brotherhood did. And to the shock of many protestors, it was the Brotherhood, along with the Salafi al Nour party – which called for ban on women driving, etc – that came to power. Again, not many were happy with the direction Egypt was taking, and many again gathered at Tahrir Square, calling for another change.
It was then that Sisi gambled on sweeping the Ikhwan out of power. And precisely because Morsi was bending the laws far too often and openly, placing himself above judicial or executive review, that not many beyond the Brotherhood had many problems with his ouster. But now his death sentence has changed matters again. Interestingly, though, not many governments share the outrage felt in Brotherhood friendly Turkey, with news of Ankara even offering to host Morsi in exile if the death sentence is commuted. If the last few months and years of political wrangling in the Middle East proved anything, it is that sacrifice of the spirited youth that once raised hopes of change went waste, and the fight for power remains confined to the military and the Ikhwan.