The Western world seems to be quietly acquiescing with a military coup that has overthrown the first democratically elected president. The growing dilemma on whether to applaud or condemn the dramatic ouster of Mohamed Morsi has disillusioned many, and it is uncertain if the events that have unfolded will ensure Egypt a promising future.
After days of mounting tension and a resulting ultimatum, the Egyptian army carried out its pledge to end Morsi's crippling rule that had been a turn of fortunes for Islamist brotherhood after his victory last year. Defence Minister Abdel Fatah al-Sissi, who earlier announced the move, has said that Adli Monsour, head of the Supreme Constitutional Court, would serve as a caretaker of an interim government until a new presidential election is held later this year. The constitution, which Morsi instituted after a rushed referendum last year and which seemed to be mostly divisive to large proportion of the population, has been suspended.
Ahmed Shariq's Much Awaited Chance?
Ahmed Shafiq, the contender to Mohamed Morsi in last June's presidential runoff, was on the spotlight in much of the affairs in recent times challenging the results of the election won by Morsi one year ago. And the Presidential Elections Commission of Egypt was set to consider the challenge.
In October last year, Shafiq filed a complaint claiming that the election was engineered wherein he listed a number of incidents of what he called "ballot rigging and invalidation". Morsi won the election with 51.7 percent of votes to Shafiq's 48.3 percent. Now that Morsi's end in the political realm has arrived, possibilities are ample that Shafiq might take grab the chance to magnify his image and get ready for the next election that would be arranged in due course of time.
Military's 'De Facto' Rule?
While there appears to be a discomforting power vacuum in the country that has seen two years of turmoil and flimsy transition, there is general consensus among critics that the military 'might' seem to be taking the shape of a "de facto" rule, a power game that is likely to only deepen the divide between religion and society. If a democratically elected government could so easily be overthrown by the military, it only signifies that the military rule will plunge the country deeper into the quagmire of violence and economic crisis, a Washington Post article analyzed.
What kind of future lies ahead in a country where the Muslim brothers are likely to be relegated again to an isolated position, devoid of power as they have been for 80 years? It could possibly be an invitation to another series of violence or a civil war, a USA Today's Editorial evaluated.
"A repressive Egypt with an alienated and hostile Islamist force will increase terrorist threat" the article read. "Mobs don't make democracy, even when their intentions are good".
A military coup of an elected government may threaten Egypt's $1.5 billion yearly US aid package to the country's military, even as the west has not voice a vociferous condemnation regarding the ouster. Morsi has been mostly seen as trying to propagate Muslim rule in the country and was thought to be anti-democracy even when thousands of his supports still rallied to show support during the coup.
"Mosri was an obstacle to the constitutional democracy most Egyptias wanted," Rep. Edward R. Royce (R-Calif.), the chairman of the House Foreign Affairs Committee, said in a statement.
"I am hopeful that his departure will reopen the path to a better future for Egypt and I encourage the military and all political parties to cooperate in the peaceful establishment of democratic institutions and new elections that lead to an Egypt where minority rights are accepted."
