2011 seems to be an ominous year for the Arab world judging by the goings on in Tunisia and now Egypt. Tunisia continues to burn with thousands and thousands of citizens demanding the new govt under President Faoud Mebasa and Prime Minister Mohammed Ganouchi to vacate, paving the way for a people-friendly govt through free and fair elections. Tunisia’s case is one of the first in the Arab world and now drawing inspiration from Tunisia’s experience Egypt too has joined the bandwagon. Tunisia, Egypt and then which comes next is anybody’s guess.
What all prompted Tunisians are the same reasons that have provoked the Egyptian citizens. Grinding poverty.
Wide-spread poverty, lack of essential commodities, massive unemployment, all are reasons behind the peoples’ rage against the govt of Hozni Mubarak. ‘Down with Hozni Mubarak‘ placards - holding tens of thousands of citizens trooped into the streets of Egypt on Tuesday and since then they are enraged and demand his resignation. Water canons sprayed and teargas shells burst against the surging crowds who defied barricades and stopped water canon vehicles and forcibly threw out the driver braving batons of riot police.
This is not the first time Hozni Mubarak is faced with such a rebellion but this is the first time his government has reached a piquant situation as the rebellion is something to do with poverty and hunger. How is it possible for any nation to pull on while the citizens suffer from massive hunger and poverty for a prolonged period. Peoples’ patience has its limits and when the limit is broken then it is apocalypse with nobody capable of stopping it. The protests began on the national holiday honoring Egypt’s much feared police, it is reported. The April 6 movement has joined the protesters and how Mubarak can put an end to massive upsurge is an uphill task to judge. Tunisian happenings remain a catalyst to the Egyptian citizens to go ahead with large-scale protests.
Unlike Tunisia, Egypt is in good terms with USA and there is every possibility of Mubarak turning to the Super Power for help. Obama expressed pleasure while Zine-Al Abidin Bin Ali, ex-Tunisian President fled for life and sought asylum in kingdom of Saudi Arabia, but will he express the kind of pleasure if Hosni Mubarak were to flee Egypt? Never. America needs Mubarak badly due to various strategic reasons that is one of the reasons behind the man continuing in power since three decades. The Egyptian citizens apprehend that Hosni Mubarak would try for another term later this year. Otherwise chances of him fielding his son for the post of President is a matter of concern to them.
A month ago, Islamic Jihadists triggered a suicide bomb explosion in which about 20 people died, many maimed and injured when the suicide bomber triggered an explosion in front of a Coptic Christian church which led to the Christians take to the streets near Alexandria, a Christian majority locality. Almost after one month taking inspiration from Tunisian violence against mounting poverty, hunger and massive unemployment Egyptian citizens have joined the Tunisians and which will be the next Arab nation to flare up?
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