National reconciliation in Egypt still in doubt
As the political conflict escalates in Egypt, some are calling for a national reconciliation, yet many obstacles stand in the way.
As the political crisis escalates in Egypt between the ruling authorities, the majority of Islamic movements and the Muslim Brotherhood and civil forces, there have been increasing calls for a national reconciliation framework involving all the country's conflicting parties to halt the bloodshed and achieve political and social stability.
The political crisis prevents national reconciliation
According to Mohammed Osman, political liaison officer for the Strong Egypt Party, reconciliation requires every party in the equation to recognize the right of others to carry out political work without marginalization or exclusion. He asserted that the current authorities in Egypt are not doing this, but instead are relying on a security approach to confront opponents.
Osman told Al-Monitor that as a result of the instability affecting Egypt, reconciliation is currently out of the question, especially since the strongest parties in the conflict — the military and the Muslim Brotherhood — are both preoccupied with the upcoming constitutional referendum. The army wants passage of a new constitution, while the Brotherhood is trying to ensure its failure in hopes of toppling the military. Osman believes there will be no talk of reconciliation initiatives until after the referendum.
