Cairo, Egypt has been the focus of all news headlines for the past few weeks. And for once, the dialogue of each party isn’t in conflict. President Barack Obama’s stance on Egypt to have a “peaceful transition” toward democracy is supported by most Republicans, including Speaker of the House John Boehner.
If you haven’t watched the news in the past month, there are massive protests in Egypt regarding Egyptian “President” Hosni Mubarak, who has been in office for 30 years under the illusion of being a democratic president.
Mubarak has not shown his face since protests started last Tuesday. On Saturday, he gave in to protesters and appointed Omar Suleiman vice president. He is lining up Suleiman as an eventual successor for the transitional period in which he will phase out of office.
But violence keeps on escalating. Outside of the capitol, anti-government protesters began torching fire stations and using firearms against police forces. In Suez, citizens are wearing surgical masks to ward off tear gas which has been set off. All U.S. tourists are being evacuated. The protestors want a reform, and they will not stop until somebody listens.
This past Thursday, the Egyptian government shut down all Internet and mobile phone services in hopes of stopping the protests and preventing international coverage.
Al Jazeera, the leading Arab news channel, has been banned from broadcasting. On Sunday morning, government news agency MENA reported that Information minister Anas el-Fekki had ordered “the suspension of operations of Al Jazeera, cancelling of its licenses and withdrawing accreditation to its entire staff as of (January 30).”
Al Jazeera’s bureau in the West Bank city of Ramallah and Nablus was attacked after the government accused the agency of lying through its reporting. ABC’s Sam Donaldson is praising Al Jazeera for its work, providing information of the Egyptian protests to over 300 million people in the Arab world. Limiting information and communication is only angering these civilians more.
The Obama administration is taking sides with the protestors, and both political parties are on board for reform. Hillary Clinton said she wants to make this a “peaceful transition” to democracy, and that no one is satisfied with the steps that Mubarak has taken since the protests.
Obama spent his weekend talking to foreign leaders from Saudi Arabia, Turkey and Great Britain, reminding them Egypt is one of our allies, and their current government is not sustainable.
According to the White House, during each of Obama’s phone calls he “reiterated his focus on opposing violence and calling for restraint; supporting universal rights, including the right to peaceful assembly, association and speech; and supporting an orderly transition to a government that is responsive to the aspirations of the Egyptian people.”
As wrongful as this dictatorship might be, no steps will be taken toward democracy until Mubarak steps down. According to Nobel laureate Mohamed ElBaradei, after 30 years of power, “asking a dictator to implement democratic measures is an oxymoron.”
Egypt is a great ally on the frontline of the Middle East. They are a reliable source for oil through the Suez Canal. If left alone, Egypt could potentially become anti-American. More importantly, both parties are in unison in the support of helping Egypt gain democracy.
Their crisis could be a great opportunity for Republicans and Democrats to come together as one, and give Egypt a great example of democracy at its finest.