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The Arab Spring is picking up from where it left off

The events happening in Egypt today show that the process that started as the Arab Spring has not ended with coups and counter-coups, and that it will not end so easily. The discourses, slogans and demands of the revolutions that took place in 2011 are being repeated, and the social alliance that was formed back then is even greater today.

Those trying to turn the Arab Spring into winter did not take into account that spring is destined to follow after even the harshest winter. They ignored peoples' expectations that have piled up throughout the centuries. They stole their revolutions, tried to destroy their hopes, massacred their youth, tried to devastate the remaining youth in dungeons, and exiled many from their home countries. But to what extent can peoples' demands of freedom, honor and livelihood be suppressed?

The social dynamism in the Arab region is boiling up. A society that has integrated with the world, that demands a humane life, that can no longer tolerate being humiliated is being formed. Who can stand against the sprouting of fresh seeds waiting to flourish at the roots of society? Regardless of how long this spring is delayed, it is bound to come.

We see the sort of obstacle Abdel-Fattah el-Sisi has formed against the development of his own country, against Egypt taking the place it deserves in history, and against the demands of the Egyptians to live a humane life; we see him trying to imprison a revolution that was stolen. Regardless of the support he received and from whom, a dictator that is so contrary to history, to society, to the mind and conscience, cannot possibly rule any longer. The dilemmas he led his country into for the last six years has led the people of Egypt to unite in a revolt against him, and he could not prevent the spring that was delayed through suppression from resurfacing once again.

The Egyptian public's demonstrations against Sisi that are calling on him to resign reached a new stage with the protests on Friday. The Sisi administration's efforts to prevent these demonstrations, which were announced days before, drew greater attention than the public's preparations. At least 2,000 people, including academics, journalists, authors, and politicians likely to join the demonstrations or organize them were taken from their homes and detained. The most striking of the arrests is that of Professor Hassan Nafaa who teaches political science at Cairo University. Secular-liberal minded Nafaa had initially supported Sisi's coup against Mohamed Morsi. A tweet Nafaa posted was the apparent the grounds for his arrest. His tweet said:

"I want my words to be understood correctly. I have no doubt that the continuation of Sisi's autocracy will lead to disaster and that Egypt will profit from Sisi leaving today, before tomorrow. However, it is also very clear that he will not leave without pressure from the people on the street. At the same time, we too must choose ways to transfer the ruling power to better hands at the least cost and avoid scenarios of chaos."

The fact that even Sisi supporters have reached this point also shows the predisposition of the pro-coup character which leaves you with no friends. By saying it will not be possible to ouster Sisi without a public movement and support, Nafaa is also stating the necessity for social reconciliation once again.

There is also an interesting social reconciliation subject that emerged with the new spring wave in Egypt - it is Muhammad Ali's personality. Muhammad Ali, who became a sociological star worth analyzing in every aspect, has become the subject of a never-before-seen reconciliation on the streets of Egypt.

Muhammad Ali, who has no ideological or religious message, gained the favor of people from all walks of life while leading the revolt against Sisi. The videos he posted are being watched by millions of people and through his directions, the public is pouring onto the streets at the times stated. Such an event is not one that can easily be organized by planning. There truly is a crisis and it is producing the charisma it needs.

People affix the charisma necessary to a personality that is capable of pulling them out of this crisis at a social reconciliation level. Muhammad Ali draws power not only from himself, but from the depth of the existing crisis in Egypt, and also from the fact that the available options could not offer a more reconciling and more suitable option against this crisis.

Meanwhile, the measures Sisi has taken against the demonstrations do not consist of arrests alone. Having all public servants brought to the squares on buses with a meal and 100 Egyptian pounds consolidation, organizing counter-rallies in support of Sisi, dispersing all rallies aimed at protest by taking measures beforehand are all some of these measures.

Though these measures could turn into a mass slaughter like that on Aug. 14, 2013 is everybody's most important concern, it appears that demonstrators have even taken this risk.

#Arab Spring
#Sisi
#Egypt
5 yıl önce
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