• Skip to main content
  • Skip to secondary menu
  • Skip to primary sidebar
  • Skip to footer
AFRIPOL

AFRIPOL

en English
ar Arabiczh-CN Chinese (Simplified)nl Dutchen Englishfr Frenchde Germanit Italianpt Portugueseru Russianes Spanish
  • Home
  • About Us
  • Mission Statement
  • Articles
  • Book Review
  • Archive
  • Contact Us

President Mohamed Morsi and Egypt: A future full of uncertainties and Opportunities

July 2, 2012 by Emeka Chiakwelu Leave a Comment

President Morsi with the military (AFP/Egyptian Presidency)

Egypt’s future is full of uncertainties but also with opportunities that can affirmatively transform the region for good.

After all said and done, Mohamed Morsi has finally been sworn in as the first democratically elected president of Islamic Egypt. The journey to the presidency was not sown in roses, President Morsi ‘s political party Muslim Brotherhood  was banned for decades on Egypt political scene. Then finally came the Arab spring, the Egyptian revolution that swept off the old order and brought in the present reality.

It will be simplistic to say that Arab Spring was successful but it is more complex than that. Of course, former president Murbark was replaced but the Egyptian strong military was still in charge. The elected parliament was recently dissolved before the presidential election and the military has taken over the legislative duty of the parliament. In addition, a new constitution that will reflect the emerging democratic dispensation has not been written. A secular constitution or something close to that will fulfill the aspiration of the masses yearning for liberty in the emerging democratic Egypt.

President Mohamed Morsi has a lot of work and challenges ahead of him. A steady hand and prudency are needed to navigate through all the stormy weather that is confronting Egypt and the leadership. As of now Morsi is not really in charge, for the military has become his co-presidency.

Morsi has a difficult and complicated but a delicate task of working with military in order assumes the role of a true commander in chief of the armed forces of Egypt.  This is not a child’s play for the military is not going anywhere nor are they bowing out of the picture of governance. Morsi needs all the wisdom and prayer to make the military comfortable and secured without undermining the constitution and his mandate from the voters. The people anticipated a true democracy to take hold in the country because of the enormous effort and sacrifice they have made.

Election is not tantamount to democracy, to say that election of Morsi means that Egypt has become democratic is far from the truth. Election notwithstanding, a nation needs a functional constitution that protects the rights of citizens to gather, respect of religion and a constitution that enumerates the balance and separation of power among the branches of the government to become a true democratic nation.

During the campaign Morsi pledged to promote women’s rights and to respect the 1979 Israel-Egypt Peace Accord.  Promises can be easily made during political campaign but as one assume the leadership position with its challenges, keeping promises may not be that easy.

President Mohamed Morsi will rise or fall on the style and substance of his governance particularly on keeping the promises he made during the campaign. The 1979 Egypt–Israel Peace Treaty  is important not just to the region but to the entire world. The keeping and maintenance of Camp David Accord will show that Morsi is a responsible leader and a man of his own words.  Peace is the most important ingredient and condiment needed for the stability of the region. Therefore maturity of his leadership will be buttressed on his relationship with state of Israel.

President Mohamed Morsi and his Muslim Brotherhood Party must show the ability to manage the Islamic radicals in Egypt and to make sure that minorities including Nubians (Black Egyptians) and Coptic Christians are allow co-existence and their constitutional rights protected especially the freedom for religious practice not given a lip service.

Then comes the economy, Egypt is a poor country with large foreign debt and high unemployment especially among the restive youths. Without a sound economy the emerging democracy may not take a hold and may fizzle away. Democracy is an expensive form of government and cannot thrive in poverty. An empty stomach and poverty can pose a threat to democracy. Therefore it is necessary to have a peaceful Egypt that is at peace with its neighbors which will enable and facilitate free flow of commerce and trade in the region.

The revolution and Arab Spring dealt a blow to Egyptian economy; GDP growth slumped or rather became stagnant and the already weaken national currency was destabilized; capital flight became imminent while attraction of investments were discouraged. Egyptian economy is in bad shape and economic reform is necessary.

President Mohamed Morsi has to convince the global market that Egypt is ready to do business with the rest of the  world. He needs Obama administration to ensure that United States foreign aid will continue to flow in. The world will work with Egypt, if she is willing to work with the world. As Egypt respects international norms and her citizens, the peaceful comity of nations will welcome her back.

Emeka Chiakwelu, Analyst and Principal Policy Strategist at Afripol.

Filed Under: Strategic Research & Analysis

Reader Interactions

Leave a Reply Cancel reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

Primary Sidebar

More to See

 “I have no issues with Tinubu” – Peter Obi (video)

March 13, 2023 By AFRIPOL

Tunisian leader to ECOWAS chairman: “I am a proud African” (see videos)

March 11, 2023 By AFRIPOL

RSS AllAfrica News: Latest

  • Africa: A Liveable Future for All is Possible, if We Take Urgent Climate Action: Flagship UN Report #AfricaClimateHope
    [UN News] A major UN "report of reports" from the authoritative Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change (IPCC), outlines the many options that can be taken now, to reduce greenhouse gas emissions and adapt to human-caused climate change.
  • Mauritius: World Water Day 2023 - a New Water Resources Bill Will Soon Be Introduced in the Parliament, States the Minister
    [Government of Mauritius] A new water resources bill, taking into consideration, the water requirement of the country and the development of the water sector within a well-defined legal framework for the mobilisation, management, development and conservation of water resources in Mauritius will soon be introduced in the parliament, stated the Minister of Energy and Public […]
  • Namibia: Farmers Urge Removal of Dumped Manganese
    [Namibian] FARMERS in the Goageb area of the //Kharas region urge authorities to urgently remove the manganese reportedly dumped in the vicinity of farm Brakwater.
  • Tanzania: Tanzania, India Trade Volume Notches Using Own Currencies
    [Daily News] Arusha -- TRADE volume between Tanzania and India stands at 4.5billion US dollars (about10.4tri/-) by early March this year as the two countries agreed to use their own currencies while doing trade.
  • Tanzania: Suluhu Hassan Hailed for Lifting Up Port Sector
    [Daily News] Kigoma -- PORT stakeholders in Kigoma Region have extolled President Samia Suluhu Hassan for lifting up the port sector and boosting shipping and trade during the first two years of her presidency.
  • East Africa: EAC Set to Resume Political Confederation Consultation
    [Daily News] Arusha -- EAST African partner states are set to resume national consultations for the drafting of the Constitution of the regional political confederation.

Tags

Achebe Africa Anambra Boko Haram Buhari CBN Corona Virus Egypt Igbo IMF Inflation Jonathan Kenya Nigeria Okonjo Iweala Peter Obi Sanusi Senate Soludo South Africa Soyinka United States
  • Facebook
  • Instagram
  • Twitter
  • YouTube

Archives

Footer

Africa Political and Economic Strategic Center, AFRIPOL is foremost a public policy center whose fundamental objective is to broaden the parameters of public policy debates in Africa. To advocate, promote and encourage free enterprise, democracy, sustainable green environment, human rights, conflict resolutions, transparency and probity in Africa.

Recent

  • Peter Obi replies Senator Nnamani who claims that he divided Nigeria
  • U.S. EMBASSY AND CONSULATE IN NIGERIA ISSUES PRESS STATEMENT ON GOVERNORSHIP ELECTION 2023
  • It’s my turn to be Senate President, Kalu declares – Punch News
  • Ghana and Côte d’Ivoire have Declared war on the Global chocolate industry over cocoa prices (video)
  • (video) I Will Never Call And Congratulate Sanwo-Olu For This Sham Of An Election – Gbadebo Rhodes-Vivour

Search

Tags

Achebe Africa Anambra Boko Haram Buhari CBN Corona Virus Egypt Igbo IMF Inflation Jonathan Kenya Nigeria Okonjo Iweala Peter Obi Sanusi Senate Soludo South Africa Soyinka United States

Copyright © 2023 · AFRIPOL