Egyptian Protests: Rise of Hosni Mubarak

On January 25th of 2011 tens of thousands of Egyptians marched onto the city streets demanding that Hosni Mubarak step down as ruler. As a Western outlook, we may describe the event as a triumph for democracy, as we see the thousands lining in the streets as a cry for freedom and justice. Some may view the event as a revolutionary event to over throw a legitimate government, backed by radicalized islamists threatening the region of global dominance. Whatever your opinionated perspective on the event is, you cannot make a reasonable claim without first understanding the political history of Egypt within the last century.

The political history of Egypt cannot be discussed without mentioning the impact British colonialism had on the region. Just like most of the colonies of Britain, the people of Egypt lived under austere poverty, with very little rights. The British ruled Egypt for 72 years before a man by the name of Gamal Abdul Nasser drove them out. The revolutionary envisioned a new state where he abolished the pluralistic views that were dominant in the British ruled era, and entailed a president dominated government with a single party. Nasser's revolution brought Egypt unprecedented reforms in land, social welfare, and many other aspects to social life. He confiscated land from the rich who had been hoarding it during the British rule, and redistributed to the poor, he nationalized banks and industries, and eradicated any remnants of Western colonialism from the region.

Declaration of the nationalizing of the Suez canal led to an Israeli invasion of egypt. Although Egypt suffered heavy losses due to the powerful army of Israel, funded by western allies, Egypt still managed to keep full ownership of the Suez canal. At this time his favorability with the western world decreased as many states such as France and Britain imposed blockades on Egypt. However to the Arab world, Nasser was a hero. He had the idea that he could unite all the Arab countries, but ceaseless coupes, and instability in the Arab world prevented his dream from ever being visualized.

In 1967, the Arab-Israeli situation had taken a turn for the worse, and Israel initiated an attack on Egypt (Six Day War). Egypt suffered a horrible defeat, which caused Nasser to resign from office, because he took full responsibility. Thousands of Egyptians marched the streets demanding him to return as the president. Despite regional opposition to regional leaders, and western influence, he stayed in power for 18 more years, until the September 28, 1970, where he died from an unsuspected heart attack. Even till this day muslims and arabs remember Nasser as the ruler who defied Western influences and dominance, and who rescued a country from imperialism. He is associated with restoring the dignity of the Arabs from the humiliation brought on to them by Western dominance. 

After the demise of Nasser, Anwar al Sadat was next in line for rule. His rule can be epitomized by the Yom Kippur War, where Egypt launched a surprise attack against Israel. Details of the the Yom Kippur War would require more allotment of necessary information, but in conclusion it left Egypt in defeat. This can closely be associated with heavy American assistance to Israel as well as Israel not honoring the cease-fire agreement, which caused the Egyptian military to be surrounded. Overall none of this mattered, as Anwar al Sadat was inclined to negotiate with the Israelis, which caused the end of the war.

Amidst his own country, Sadat was proclaimed a hero, even though the military expedition had ended in defeat. He even a shared a Nobel Peace Prize with the Israeli Prime Minister. The other Arab countries however disassociated themselves from Egypt due to his close alignment with Israel. Sadat used his in-state popularity to undo the works of Nasser which caused riots, and Egypt moved to the state of a capitalism, which was not an improvement in popular interests. Sadat established three political parties, one for the political left, right, and the middle, however prevented the Muslim Brotherhood from forming a party.

After the Camp David Accords, during a parade, where Sadat was in a reviewing booth assesing military units, Sadat and company were attacked by soldiers. Sadat was rushed to the hospital, where he was pronounced dead. Hosni Mubarak was among those that were injured, and was the man who would succeed Sadat.

This short history lacked vital details and cardinal depth, but suffices to provide momentous information of the political background of Egypt. The current protests can be contemplated with understanding, backed by an intellectual disposition to formulate and apprehend what this event really means to the Egyptian people.

"Fear is, I believe, a most effective tool in destroying the soul of an individual - and the soul of a people"

-Anwar al Sadat