Project on Middle East Democracy

Project on Middle East Democracy
The POMED Wire Archives


Month: February, 2011

Egypt: Transition to Democracy May Face Constitutional Obstacles

February 4th, 2011 by Alec

As the U.S.  seeks to encourage Hosni Mubarak’s possible resignation, several commentators have pointed out that the current Egyptian constitution could present some obstacles to an immediate resignation.  Hossam Bahgat and Soha Abdelaty of the Egyptian Initiative for Personal Rights, state that under current law, if Mubarak were to resign, the speaker of parliament, Fathi Surur (not the new Vice President Omar Suleiman), would assume the presidency as an interim president.  They argue that Surer is simply a regime stalwart who has used his legal expertise to enact abusive laws designed to keep the regime in power and that his assumption of the presidency, even in an interim context, would be problematic. Suleiman would be a lesser evil even though they regard him little more than “Mubarak II.” However, this would require a special presidential decree that can only be issued by Mubarak himself.  They point out that he has already done so twice, in 2004 and 2009, when he was hospitalized.

Such a decree would allow Mubarak to officially stay in office as an “honorary president”  while Suleiman would be able to assume powers to lead a provisional authority.  Amr Hamzawy, an Egyptian political scientist says such a deal would be accepted by pro-democracy protesters as a compromise as long as “safeguards” were put in place to end the state of emergency that has existed since 1981.  Bahgat and Abdelaty agree that the lifting of the emergency law is essential and would require another presidential decree from Mubarak.  Hamzawy argues that the transition needs to begin immediately.

Nathan Brown, writing for Foreign Policyargues for suspending the constitution entirely which would necessitate negotiations between the regime and the opposition outside the existing rules.  Such negotiations would be difficult and confusing and require much more from the opposition that it has offered up.  However Brown says that this option is the only one that offers the possibility of real political change: “It may be the best outcome and it is what the opposition is effectively demanding.”


Posted in Egypt, Human Rights, Reform | Comment »

Egypt: View of Protesters From Above

February 4th, 2011 by Kyle

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Posted in Egypt, Protests | Comment »

Leahy Ready to Freeze Aid to Egypt, Graham and Granger Call for Caution

February 4th, 2011 by Naureen

On Thursday, Chairman of the Senate State and Foreign Operations Appropriations Subcommittee Patrick Leahy (D-VT) said that he intends to freeze aid to Egypt until unrest subsides: “The fact of the matter is, there’s not going to be further foreign aid to Egypt until this gets settled.” Speaking to MSNBC on Wednesday, Leahy called on Egyptian President Hosni Mubarak to step down saying that the aid “pipeline would be turned off” until he does.  A temporary cut-off will occur if the country does not stabilize in the next month, Leahy said;  the current government funding law is set to expire on March 4th. Leahy lauded the role the Egyptian military has played thus far, but warned that if there is any evidence that the military is violating human rights using equipment funded by the U.S., their assistance “would be cut off immediately,” per a U.S. law that Leahy himself drafted. Senator Lindsey Graham (R-SC) cautioned his colleagues on curring aid by asking them to “consider the consequences of such an action. Give the Egyptian people a chance to work this out.” Chairwoman of the House State and Foreign Operations Appropriations Subcommittee Congresswoman Kay Granger (R-TX) called for caution when discussing aid to Egypt.


Posted in Congress, Democracy Promotion, Egypt, Foreign Aid | Comment »

Egypt: Opposition to Announce a Negotiating Body

February 4th, 2011 by Kyle

Al-Ahram reports that the anti-government opposition has stated that they will announce a 25 member negotiating body on Saturday. Ziad El-Eleimy, lawyer and youth activist, announced that the committee would include opposition leader Mohamed ElBaradei, Nobel Laureate and scientist Ahmed Zewail, and Arab League Secretary-General Amr Moussa.The other specifics about who would make up this group were not given, but it was reported that five of its members will come from the youth movement. El-Eleimy stated that this group would attempt to enter into negotiations once President Hosni Mubarak steps down, or if a credible announcement is made pledging Mubarak’s commitment to step down within a specified, and short, period of time.


Posted in Democracy Promotion, Egypt, Protests | Comment »

Egypt: Banner Hung From Apartment Building in Support of Protests

February 4th, 2011 by Kyle

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“Our demands: 1. deposing the president 2. dissolving the two illegitimate houses of parliament 3. lifting the state of emergency immediately 4. forming a caretaker national unity government 5. an elected parliament that amends the constitution to allow fair presidential elections 6. bringing murders of demonstrators to trial 7. immediate judicial proceedings against corrupt officials and those stealing the of the nation.”


Posted in Egypt, Protests | Comment »

Egypt: Video of Protests in Alexandria

February 4th, 2011 by Kyle


Posted in Egypt, Protests | Comment »

Egypt Update: Security Forces Raid Muslim Brotherhood Site Headquarters

February 4th, 2011 by Naureen

On Friday, security forces raided the headquarters of the Muslim Brotherhood’s official news website ikhwanonline.com, and arrested 12 journalists inside. They also seized some equipment and documents, said Ahmed Subei managing editor of the site. The government has blamed the Brotherhood for the protests which began on January 25th despite the fact that they were not involved in the initial planning of the event.


Posted in Egypt, Freedom, Journalism, Protests | Comment »

U.S. in Talks With Egypt’s Government on Mubarak’s Departure

February 4th, 2011 by Naureen

U.S. officials have stated that talks are under way between the Obama administration and top Egyptian officials on the possible immediate resignation of President Hosni Mubarak and the formation of a military-backed caretaker government that could prepare the country for free and fair elections later this year.  The officials stressed that the United States isn’t seeking to impose a solution on Egypt but said the administration had made a judgment that Mubarak has to go soon if there is to be a peaceful resolution to the crisis.  White House and State Department officials would not discuss details of the discussions US officials are having with the Egyptians, and an administration official stated that there is no single plan being discussed with the Egyptians. Rather, the administration is pursuing different ideas with Egyptian figures on how to proceed quickly with a process that includes a broad range of voices and leads to free and fair elections.


Posted in Democracy Promotion, Egypt, Protests, US foreign policy | Comment »

Egypt: Amr Moussa Joins Protests, Calls For Investigation Into Violence

February 4th, 2011 by Naureen

On Friday, Secretary-General of the Arab League Amr Moussa was reported to be with protesters demanding the resignation of president Hosni Mubarak at Cairo’s Tahrir Square. The former foreign minister of Egypt has said he was “at the disposal” of the Egyptian people, expressing his readiness to play a role should a transitional governing body be formed and stating that he would consider running for president in September. Moussa is one of the most commonly-approved potential presidential candidates by Egyptians. On Thursday, the Arab League called for an investigation into the violence in Tahrir square between pro and anti-government protesters.


Posted in Arab League, Egypt, Elections, Protests | Comment »

Egypt: “Day of Departure” Protesters Pray in Tahrir Square

February 4th, 2011 by Naureen


Posted in Egypt, Protests | Comment »

State and Foreign Operations Appropriations Subcommittee Members Named

February 4th, 2011 by Naureen

On Friday, the U.S. Senate Committee on Appropriations announced subcommittee members for the 112th Congress. Members of the State and Foreign Operations Subcommittee include: Chairman Senator Patrick Leahy (D-VT), Senator Daniel Inouye (D-HI), Senator Tom Harkin (D-IA), Senator Barbara Mikulski (D-MD), Senator Richard Durbin (D-IL), Senator Mary Landrieu (D-LA), Senator Frank Lautenberg (D-NJ), Senator Sherrod Brown (D-OH), Ranking member Senator Lindsey Graham (R-SC), Senator Mitch McConnell (R-KY), Senator Mark Kirk (R-IL), Senator Roy Blunt (R-MO), Senator Dan Coats (R-IN), Senator Ron Johnson (R-WI) and Senator John Hoeven (R-ND).


Posted in Congress, Foreign Aid | Comment »

Yemen’s Fate Will Not Be Decided In The Streets

February 4th, 2011 by Alec

Writing at The Guardian’s Comment is free, Jeb Boone argues that talk of revolution in Yemen is exaggerated and unrealistic. Yemeni President Ali Abdullah Saleh, in order to counter revolutionary sentiments, has already announced this will be his last term (to end in 2013) and that his son will not assume power, the two main demands of the opposition. Boone also notes that the protests in Yemen are being led by the political opposition bloc JMP (Joint Meeting Parties) and that the ordinary citizens of Yemen, the Arab world’s poorest, are aware of the political games “being played by both sides.” Pro-government protesters equaled the number of anti-government protesters (only 10,000 attending) on Thursday which fizzled by noon: “In Yemen, regime change takes a break for the weekend.”  Boone argues that Saleh will probably look to solidify his legacy by placating the opposition further, as well as take less harsh measures on Houthi rebels in the north and secessionists in the south.  Such actions may incidentally buttress the ruling GPC party’s claim to the Presidency.  He ends by stating that both the JMP and the Islamist Islah Party may try to contest elections in 2013, with Islamist chances of defeating the ruling GPC party high as long as the GPC does not stuff the ballot box as it has been apt to do in the past.


Posted in Islamist movements, Political Parties, Protests, Reform, Yemen | Comment »

Jordan: King Abdullah Meets With Muslim Opposition

February 4th, 2011 by Kyle

For the first time in 10 years King Abdullah II of Jordan met with the Muslim Brotherhood and the Islamic Action Front, in an attempt to open dialogue with opposition groups. The Jordanian Royal Court released a statement: “The king reaffirmed in a meeting with a delegation from the Muslim Brotherhood and the Islamic Action Front that it is important for them to work together to press political reform that will increase the role of citizens in decision making.” This comes amidst other attempts at reform including those led by new Prime Minister Marouf al-Bakhit who offered the Muslim Brotherhood a role in the new government. This was rebuffed by a MB representative, Zaki Bani Rsheid, who responded to this offer: “We refused because we want the prime minister to be elected, not appointed by the king, and we want real elections.”


Posted in Jordan, Muslim Brotherhood, Political Islam, Reform | Comment »

Egypt:Weapons and ID’s Taken from Violent Attackers of Tahrir Protesters

February 4th, 2011 by Kyle

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Posted in Egypt, Protests | Comment »

Syria: Protests Planned in Syria

February 4th, 2011 by Kyle

Protests have been scheduled in Syria following recent uprisings in Tunisia and Egypt.  A Facebook group entitled, “The Syrian Revolution,” was created, modeling the use social media networking to facilitate protests across the region. Al Jazeera sources believe that these protests will receive a tepid response as the political and economic conditions differ greatly in Syria from those in Eygpt and Tunisia. These sources also state that Syrian President Bashar al-Assad does not face the same kind of hatred that Mubarak and Ben Ali faced from opposition movements.  Syria also has a strict emergency law that has been in effect since 1963 which outlaws protests. Human Rights Watch exposed the severity of this law, reporting that 15 Syrians who held a candle light vigil were attacked and dispersed by a group of 30 individuals while the police looked on.

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Protest Advertisement “The Syrian Anger, scheduled for Friday and Saturday”


Posted in Protests, Syria | Comment »

POMED Notes: “Egypt on the Brink”

February 4th, 2011 by Naureen

On Thursday, the Carnegie Endowment for International Peace in partnership with the Project on Middle East Democracy (POMED) hosted a discussion on the rapidly evolving crisis in Egypt. Michele Dunne, Senior Associate in the Middle East Program at Carnegie Endowment moderated the event and introduced the panelists: Amr Hamzawy, Research Director and Senior Associate of the Carnegie Middle East Center in Beirut who joined the panelists from Midan Tahrir in Cairo; Bahey al-Din Hassan, director of the Cairo Institute for Human Rights Studies; and Neil Hicks, advisor to Human Rights First.

To read full notes, continue below or click here for pdf.

Read the rest of this entry »


Posted in Civil Society, Egypt, Elections, Event Notes, Events, Foreign Aid, Human Rights, Military, Muslim Brotherhood, POMED, Protests, Reform, US foreign policy | Comment »

POMED Notes: “From Tunisia to Egypt: Protests in the Arab World”

February 4th, 2011 by Naureen

On Monday, the Carnegie Endowment for International Peace hosted a discussion of the developments in Egypt and their implications of the Arab world, where protests began in Tunisia and have spread to Egypt, Yemen, Jordan, and Algeria. Marwan Muasher, Vice President for Studies at the Carnegie Endowment, moderated the event and introduced the other panelists: Amr Hamzawy, Research Director and Senior Associate of the Carnegie Middle East Center in Beirut who joined the panelists from Midan Tahrir in Cairo, Michele Dunne, Senior Associate in the Middle East Program at Carnegie Endowment, and Marina Ottaway, Director of the Middle East Program at Carnegie Endowment.

To read full notes continue below or click here for pdf.

Read the rest of this entry »


Posted in Democracy Promotion, Egypt, Event Notes, Islam and Democracy, Islamist movements, Journalism, Muslim Brotherhood, Protests, Reform, Tunisia | Comment »

Protester in Tahrir Holding Bloodied Flag

February 4th, 2011 by Kyle

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Posted in Egypt, Protests | Comment »

Egypt: Update on Day of Departure

February 4th, 2011 by Kyle

Following Friday Prayers thousands have gathered in Tahrir Square in peaceful protest, continuing to call for President Hosni Mubarak to step down. The widespread violence that has been seen in Tahrir over the past two days is notably absent, and the atmosphere in the square is largely festive. In an attempt to quell violence the army has increased its presence around the square. In an attempt to prevent individuals seeking violent confrontation and weapons from entering the square both the military and civilians have set up numerous checkpoints.  Al-Masry Al-Youm reports that thousands are protesting around the country including nearly 600,000 anti-government protesters in Alexandria.

The BBC Live Blog reports that a smaller pro-Mubarak protest of around 2,000 people is going on in Mustafa Mahmoud Square (B) which is about three miles from Tahrir Square (A).


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Posted in Egypt, Protests | Comment »

Barricades In The Streets of Cairo

February 3rd, 2011 by Alec


Posted in Egypt, Protests | Comment »