Violence marred Egypt before Presidential Election

Deadly violence erupted as unidentified mob armed with handmade explosives and guns attacked a peaceful demonstration outside the Defense Ministry in Cairo early Wednesday. At least 11 are reported to be dead and not less than 100 sustained injuries of various levels. The Presidential election in Egypt is set to begin on May 23.

The protesters were staging a demonstration against Egypt’s military government for barring a popular Islamic candidate, Hazem Abu Ismail, from running for President. An ex-lawyer cum current preacher, Abu Ismail’s candidature is said to be disqualified on the ground that his mother held American passport, which Ismail has denied. Egypt's electoral law requires Presidential candidates as well as their parents and spouses to hold only Egyptian citizen.

What appalled people the most on Wednesday’s attack was the role of Egyptian military. It is claimed that lives could have been saved if there had been prompt military intervention. Later, the tense atmosphere prompted several candidates to call off their election campaign. Though the situation came under control by noon, Wednesday’s violence is said to be the latest attempt by the military to cling on to power by delaying the transition of power to civilian government.

Hosni Mubarak the ousted Egyptian President faces the trial

Hosni Mubarak, the 83-year-old former Egyptian head, appeared before the Cairo court in a gurney on Monday. Besides his two sons, Gamaal and Alaa, ex-security chief as well as six of the top police commanders during Mubarak’s regime also face trial. A verdict is expected to be reached before January 25th, to commemorate the day uprising began last year in Egypt. However, this would largely depend on how long the case proceeds and the time it takes for reviewing the evidences and documents presented.

Hosni Mubarak has been charged with killing over 800 anti-regime protesters. In the same case, he has also been accused of misusing his power by earning profit from selling gas to Israel below the prevailing market rates. Understandably, he has denied such charges. It is reported that prosecutors would have three days to present their case before the court, beginning Tuesday.

Meanwhile, there is a growing speculation in Egypt that the proceedings of the court would be manipulated or, at the very least, diluted to make way for Mubarak’s easy acquittal. Already five of the six police commanders of Mubarak’s era have been adjudged not guilty by another court in Cairo on Thursday. But should the trial be a cake walk for Mubarak, with the whole world watching? That remains to be seen.

Egyptian women in protest march against soldier abuse in Cairo

In a never-before incident in Egypt, thousands of women on Tuesday displayed their outrage in the streets of Cairo against atrocities by soldiers on women protestors last week. The mass protest originated from Tahir Square, the site of last week's abuse, before spreading to Cairo’s downtown. In the wake of biggest demonstration by women in Egypt since 1919, Egypt’s ruling military government was asked to take responsibility for the incident and step down from power. The all-women political rally in Cairo also saw some men joining in to show their sympathy for last week’s women victim.

Last week’s police atrocities on Egypt’s women protesters have caught wide spread media attention. Several nations including the United States have condemned last week’s military crackdown on Egypt’s women demonstrators and called out the military government in Egypt to immediately intervene and take appropriate actions. The Supreme Council of military government in Egypt has expressed their regret and assured to take action against those who attacked women protestors.

Although Egyptian women had earlier stood in the forefront of revolutions, it has never been this big or significant. Tuesday’s incident seems to have propelled Egypt's women to the epicenter of political life. Could this be the beginning of growing women participation in Egypt’s political system? May be, days are not far when Egyptian women would be playing bigger role in politics. What do you think?

The day first of Egyptian poll day ended peacefully

Cairo’s Tahir square which has been the epicenter of mass protests and violence until a few days ago saw a remarkable change on Monday – voters heading for polling booths to cast their votes peacefully on the first day of the three-stage parliamentary elections. Such was the turnout for Monday’s election in Cairo and elsewhere that the military administration in Egypt had to extend the voting hour by two hours. The mood of the people was jubilant as they marked the historic moment by casting their ballots for democracy.

More than 50 registered parties and thousand independent candidates are contesting the Parliamentary elections. Voting on Monday and Tuesday are going to witness participation of nine major provinces out of a total of 27 provinces. The rest would get their chance in three separate stages until January next year. The next stage of elections will be on December 14th and the final stage is scheduled to be on January 3rd. Over the next few weeks, approximately 50 million Egyptians are going to elect 508 representatives for the lower house.

In some areas, complaints were reported of ballots arriving late, delay in opening of polling booths, some sporadic shooting and election-related violence as well as security shortage. Otherwise, the first day of voting has largely been successful.

Egyptian military government selects Kamal Ganzouri as the interim Premier

It seems the more Egyptians ask for change in political power, the more situation remains the same for Egypt. In a desperate bid to cling to power, the military regime in Egypt has nominated Kamal Ganzouri to be the head of the new ‘national salvation’ government on Friday. In response to the new development, protestors in Cairo have threatened to tighten the screw further on the present military administration through renewed agitation across the country.

Interestingly, this is the second time Ganzouri would reclaim the post of Prime Minister. His previous tenure was under Hosni Mubarak, the former Egyptian President ousted in February this year. Kamal Ganzouri, the 78-year political veteran and economist in Egypt, had also held the post of minister of Planning and International cooperation.

Earlier this week, civilian cabinet headed by then Prime Minister Essam Sharaf has offered resignation amidst violent protest across the nation. As of now, Egyptian military government has refused to step down before the upcoming parliamentary elections starting on Monday. Elections are reported to be right on schedule despite the ongoing unrest.

Cairo caught in renewed violence as Egyptian military government dithers

Violence erupted again in areas surrounding Cairo’s Tahir Square on Tuesday as the civilian Cabinet in Egypt proposed to step down before the military government. This is for the fourth consecutive day Cairo has been paralyzed by fight between protesters and security forces. About 1700 activists is reported to have been injured as official death toll shoots up to around 30. On the other side, roughly 100 police officers have been left with minor to critical injuries.

As the proposal of mass resignation was being played out since Monday night, animosity brewed between the civilians and security forces, triggering more bloodshed on Tuesday early morning. The protestors were demanding the ouster of Premier Essam Sharaf’s military government and formation of a new interim government with full authority to run until the upcoming elections starting from November 28th.

It is claimed that the rising casualties and death tolls are due to the indiscriminate use of tear gases and live fire on unarmed protestors, though this has been denied by the Egyptian military and security forces. Ban Ki-Moon, secretary-general, United Nations has demanded protection of human rights in Egypt. But immediate concern before the Egyptians is that the fresh clash must not upset the elections coming up next week.

Interestingly, the person who is largely blamed for bloodbath in Tahir Square is Field Marshal Mohamed Hussein Tantawi. He is the one responsible for overseeing the transition of Egypt to peaceful democracy.

Violence erupts in Cairo as military government struggles with protestors

On Sunday, the city of Cairo saw fresh eruption of violence as thousands of demonstrators took to the street demanding the end of military government. They were demanding quick transfer of power from military to civilian rule.The protest took an ugly turn when Egyptian troops tried to evict the demonstrators from Tahir Square, the city’s landmark, using force. The unrest soon spread to other cities in Egypt, claiming not less than 10 lives and leaving hundreds injured.

The use of rubber bullets and tear gas on civilians worsened the situation on Sunday’s rally. It is reported that many of the protesters were beaten and taken into custody by security forces. The action of Egyptian troops and police were severely criticized all over.

The Sunday's protest rally was the continuation of a peaceful demonstration on Friday. Called “Friday of One Demand,” it saw the largest turnout since the 18-day revolt that resulted in the eviction of Hosni Mubarak, February this year. Demonstrators claimed that the protest is the result of growing discontent on present military government in Egypt, especially over their shameful attempt to grant Supreme Council of Armed Forces (SCAF) with special power. Egyptians are concerned that the strong hold that the present military government wants to enjoy through SCAF in future government could influence major policy decisions.

Right now, Cairo is looking forward to their upcoming elections starting from November 28th, 2011. Hopefully, things should work out well for Egypt under a civilian government.