After hours of waiting for the army to announce it's plan, we now know what Egypt's future holds. So it's all over. The people have won. The army and the Egyptian people are one. 4lyfe.
That is the impression you might get from walking around Zamalek last night. Minutes after General Abdel Fatah al-Sisi announced the suspension of the Egyptian constitution and called for early elections, Zamalek erupted. I was out getting a bite to eat when General Sisi got up to speak. People out on the streets stormed through the doors and hovered around the TV to hear the decision. I was getting excited.
The second he announced the suspension of the constitution, people erupted. Hugs, kisses, hi-fives. A woman standing next to me, wearing a hijab, started crying. I was tempted to throw in a little fist pump to fit in with the crowd around me, but I held back.
After reveling in their excitement for a few minutes, I left the restaurant only to be met by a parade of people walking down the main street in Zamalek. Not gonna lie, I saw a guy with a pistol. He was shooting off rounds into the sky, celebrating Egypt's... victory. Needless to stay, I quickly made my way back to the dorm where I could enjoy my celebrations in front of the TV. Where I belong.
I've been asking my Egyptian friends about the role of the army in the past days, the series of arrests that has placed over 300 Brotherhood members in prison and just... Democracy, in general. I pretty much get the same answer from everyone. The people wanted the army to step in. The army is the people. In truth, I get it. It really did feel like the army's role over the past few days was very much as a tool of the people. To ensure safety and prevent bloodshed. But arresting the entire Brotherhood leadership... where does that fit in? Preventing bloodshed maybe? Ehh, not buying it. That balance between army as protector and army as political enforcer is kind of scary.
Unfortunately, many of my conversations have been cut short because... In light of the recent events and fear of retaliations from Morsi supporters over the next few days, CASA has been asked to evacuate. Temporarily Inshallah, but still. They say they will reevaluate in 5 days.
So where to?
Tel Aviv. Things could be worse.
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| Sisi Laying Down the Law |
After reveling in their excitement for a few minutes, I left the restaurant only to be met by a parade of people walking down the main street in Zamalek. Not gonna lie, I saw a guy with a pistol. He was shooting off rounds into the sky, celebrating Egypt's... victory. Needless to stay, I quickly made my way back to the dorm where I could enjoy my celebrations in front of the TV. Where I belong.
I've been asking my Egyptian friends about the role of the army in the past days, the series of arrests that has placed over 300 Brotherhood members in prison and just... Democracy, in general. I pretty much get the same answer from everyone. The people wanted the army to step in. The army is the people. In truth, I get it. It really did feel like the army's role over the past few days was very much as a tool of the people. To ensure safety and prevent bloodshed. But arresting the entire Brotherhood leadership... where does that fit in? Preventing bloodshed maybe? Ehh, not buying it. That balance between army as protector and army as political enforcer is kind of scary.
Unfortunately, many of my conversations have been cut short because... In light of the recent events and fear of retaliations from Morsi supporters over the next few days, CASA has been asked to evacuate. Temporarily Inshallah, but still. They say they will reevaluate in 5 days.
So where to?
Tel Aviv. Things could be worse.
You choose
Habibi, Zamalek is not Cairo, is not Egypt.
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