In Egypt, joy — and concern for the future
Last Updated: February 11, 2011 3:00pm
Ten days ago, I was in Cairo with a kind old man, Tariq Ibrahim, at my side as we walked around some of the downtown commercial neighbourhoods that lead into the now historic Tahrir Square.
The mass protests in Tahrir Square that have now brought down Hosni Mubarak were in full swing a few blocks away as we poked our heads into dingy, dirty, smoke-filled shops, garages, and stores.
The stories from those who owned these businesses or worked in them were remarkably similar.
“They all say Mubarak must go,” Tariq said, translating the Arabic for me.
“But they worry about what will happen when he does.”
Well, Mubarak has gone. In Tahrir Square – and throughout Egypt – hundreds of thousands of Egyptians danced, sang, and yelled for joy when his second-in-command, Omar Suleiman, announced Mubarak’s resignation Friday. The protesters had stood up to the anti-democratic, oppressive regime and the regime, for the secret power it tried to wield until its last breath, was no match for the power of the people.
Now back in Canada, I watch with amazement the jubilation on Cairo’s streets but can't help but think about Tariq, the shop owners, the peddlers, and others I met during my week in Egypt covering this remarkable revolution.
They are now living in an Egypt that is ready to chart a new course, a prospect that must be exhilarating and terrifying at the same time.
Egypt is a terribly poor country. That was clear enough a few blocks from Tahrir Square. Unemployment among young people is as high as 30%.
A new government in Egypt will have to quickly show some progress on these problems.
The organization of the new government, the elections, and the constitutional reform will be tremendously complex. There are 50 opposition groups, ranging from the liberal secular Al Wafd party to groups like the Islamist traditionalist Muslim Brotherhood.
Many in the West are cheering for Mohamed ElBaradei, the former UN weapons inspector, but, as a young telecommunications engineer told me in Tahrir Square: “ElBaradei showed up with a petition of 175,000 backing him. We are 80 million in Egypt! ElBaradei is not my saviour.”
The point being: On the streets of Egypt, there is no clear consensus for a slate of three or four potential presidential candidates, let alone one Lech Walesa-type saviour who can fix democracy into its place in that ancient country.
The shop owners Tariq and I talked to had mixed feelings about the protest happening on their doorstep. They broadly agreed with the objective – Mubarak must go – but feared the instability of regime change they knew would make operating their small businesses even tougher. “He has his fingers crossed,” Tariq said as we talked to the owner of a garage.
Canada, like other Western democracies, has its fingers crossed, too. We can only rejoice in Egypt’s new-found freedom – and hope she uses it to fully join the community of nations.
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