Egypt’s ‘Post-Democracy’ Nears Point of No Return

Wael Nawara writes that Egypt’s political crisis could lead to chaos or the intervention of the military unless the government and opposition agree to work together.
Protesters opposing Egyptian President Mohamed Mursi shout slogans as they march despite a nighttime curfew in the city of Suez January 28, 2013. Egyptian protesters defied a nighttime curfew in restive towns along the Suez Canal, attacking police stations and ignoring emergency rule imposed by Islamist President Mohamed Mursi to end days of clashes that have killed at least 52 people. Egypt's army chief said political strife was pushing the state to the brink of collapse - a stark warning from the institut
Protesters opposing Egyptian President Mohammed Morsi shout slogans as they march despite a nighttime curfew in the city of Suez, Jan. 28, 2013. - REUTERS
Wael Nawara.jpg
Wael Nawara
@WaelNawara

Egypt is commemorating the second anniversary of its “Peaceful” Revolution with the shedding of yet more blood. Violent clashes in Cairo, Alexandria, Suez, Damanhour and Port Said left almost 60 dead and hundreds injured and the numbers are rising.

There are circumstantial factors in every incident triggering violence. Whether it is the Port Said football fans court verdict or regular confrontations between protesters and the police, the root cause is political. It lies in the Muslim Brotherhood failure to create consensus around the shape of the political process.

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