Power With The People

"We have now moved from conflict in the streets between political forces and the regime to a new phase of legal dispute over legislation and control of state institutions.  This is the most critical phase ... and the battle won't be very clear to regular people."
Nasser Amin, Center for the Independence of the Judiciary and Legal Profession

"I congratulate the Egyptian people on behalf of the government for the passing of the constitution of the second republic, which establishes a modern democratic state where the people's voices are heard and where injustice, dictatorship, repression, nepotism and corruption take a back seat."
Cabinet Minister Mohammed Mahsoub, Islamist Wasat Party

It is fascinating how tyrannies co-opt the reassuring language of liberal democracies for whom injustice, dictatorship, repression, nepotism and corruption are anathema.  And to dictatorships those are commanding, controlling attributes of the institutional machine to control, repress, and oppress. But never expressly admitted to.

Egypt has now officially confirmed its Islamist-drafted constitution, passed in the referendum in which a meagre percentage of the eligible voters cast their ballot to give a 'yes' vote of acceptance of a triumphant-for-the-regime 62% majority.  The constitution, argued President Mohammed Morsi, would pave the way for greater stability for the country.

The secular/liberal opposition fear it for its promise to enshrine a leading role for Shariah law in the country  One that will reinforce the Islamist hold on power, while restricting freedoms and ignoring the human rights of women and minorities.  And so, the opposition wants no part of this charter that was pushed through lacking national consensus.

"Egypt constitution (is) void as it conflicts (with) certain peremptory norms of international law", defying freedom of belief and expression, according to opposition leader Mohamed ElBaradei.  The Shura Council, heavily dominated by Islamists is given temporary legislative powers, but the 270-member council has been boycotted by the liberal/secular groups.

The National Salvation Front plans to dismiss a "national dialogue" body as "farcical and simply theatre", claiming the dialogue exists between Mr. Morsi and other Islamists.  "The president is talking to himself", scoffed Hussein Abdel-Ghani, of the Front.  The Front claims it will continue to remain in opposition to the current regime who "seek to establish a repressive regime in the name of religion."

"As we set on a new phase moving from the first republic to the second republic, a republic that has this constitution as its strong base ... I renew my pledge to respect the law and constitution", pledged Mr. Morsi, repeating his oath of office which has its base in the new charter. "God only knows I make no decision except for God, and for the interest of the nation. As you know, I am not a lover of authority or someone who is keen to monopolize power. Power is with the people", assured Mr. Morsi.


 Egyptian politicians Hamdeen Sabahy(L), Mohamed ElBaradei (C) and Amr Moussa (R) speaking at the opposition alliance’s conference. (Al Arabiya)

And today, as it happens, the country's top prosecutor did something unusual. An investigation was ordered into he activities of Mohamed ElBaradei, Amr Mousa and Hamdeen Sabahi, the main opposition members of the National Salvation Front.  A lawyer had filed a complaint, alleging they planned to overthrow the government.

The investigation issued by a Morsi appointee, political tensions are guaranteed to be aggravated.  Charges will not necessarily be laid, but what an unusual move for state prosecutors.  Intimidation?  Hints of things to come?  Silencing of high profile political figures unforgivably engaged in their little game of upsetting the Islamist applecart?

President Morsi is proud of the passage of the draft constitution.  Popularly approved.  It protects, he says, human dignity.  It enshrines moderation. It protects freedoms and ensures rights to work, to education and health.  He can be trusted.  Voters can always remove him if they feel so inclined.  Egypt, after all, is a proud democracy.