A demonstration against terror

Egyptian Defense Minister Abdel-Fattah el-Sissi called on all loyal citizens to rally on Friday in support of a military mandate to wipe out “the forces of terror,” which is believed to be an allusion to the Muslim Brotherhood. Arab dailies and editorials are divided over whether el-Sissi’s call will bring about a tranquil period of stability or instigate a civil war.

The Saudi-owned daily A-Sharq Al-Awsat reports that el-Sissi delivered his speech at a graduation ceremony for military cadets and was subsequently broadcast live on national television. El-Sissi, who serves as the head of the Egyptian Armed Forces in addition to his post as defense minister, is seen as the actual ruler of Egypt.

Since the military overthrew the Muslim Brotherhood-led government of Mohammed Morsi on July 3, the country has been engulfed in violence that has killed roughly 170 people and wounded thousands. Although el-Sissi said he would lead Egypt to fair and free elections and transform the country into a genuine democracy, he has come under fire from Islamist opponents and higher-ups within the military for his autocratic actions.

The London-based pan-Arab newspaper Al-Hayat reports that the Muslim Brotherhood most certainly feels that el-Sissi’s latest declaration is an all-out invitation for an armed conflict. Its lead headline reads, “The Muslim Brotherhood: Sissi’s call for the people to take to the streets is an invitation for civil war.”

“El-Sissi’s speech confirms that he is the de facto ruler of Egypt now,” an official statement by the Muslim Brotherhood reads. “El-Sissi’s rule is illegitimate, he disrespects the constitution, and the nature of democracy. . . Now he calls for a civil war to spill the blood of the people on the streets.”

The United States government has also expressed concern about el-Sissi’s call for Friday demonstrations. According to the Dubai-based media network Al-Arabiya, the US government agrees that the demonstrations may have the effect of provoking the more militant-minded of the Muslim Brotherhood to act out.

“We are very worried that fresh violence will erupt and that new confrontations will impede any chance of reconciliation in the near future,” said Jennifer Psaki, the spokeswoman for the US State Department.

The US government’s jitters over the Egyptian political situation are the prime reasons it canceled the delivery of four F-16 fighter jets to the Egyptian military. The London-based Al-Quds Al-Arabi notes that the Obama administration is still investigating whether the Egyptian military ouster of former president Morsi constituted a military coup. If it did, then all US military aid to Egypt would have to cease.

Indeed, many Egyptian editorialists agree that el-Sissi’s call for demonstrations in support of the army is a dangerous gamble. Writing in Al-Arabiya, Ghassan Charbel says that because el-Sissi has failed to bring Egyptians physical security since Morsi was deposed, he is trying in vain to drum up the same level of anger against the Muslim Brotherhood that was on display before the army assumed power.

“What el-Sissi fails to consider, however, is that the Muslim Brotherhood has tasted power and now longs for it,” writes Charbel. “He may be surprised to see how many supporters of the Brotherhood come out to denounce his policies. . . There is a very high chance these demonstrations will initiate a new round of violence. If chaos ensues, all of Egypt will pay a very dear price.”

To counter this view, other editorialists argue that a dramatic showing of support for the new Egyptian government is just what the country needs to strengthen civil society and move away from its fractured state. Bakr Eweda states in A-Sharq Al-Awsat that Egypt is currently on the path to civil war. El-Sissi’s call for a massive showing of support for the new administration may be the only thing that can deter it.

“The minority (Muslim Brotherhood) is entirely without conscience. They have a preoccupation with their own power and do not recognize that the majority of the people want nothing more than to secure a decent living,” Eweda explains. “The group’s guardians are unwilling to accept this reality. As a result, the majority must show its strength to bring stability back to Egypt.”