Situation in Egypt remains tense

Regarding the situation in Egypt, a video by Al Jazeera tries to capture the remaining tension between people and military while strikes and protests of various groups and fractions still go on.

The military is reportedly concerned about the strikes and so are many Egyptians, at least those who are better off.

Many are aware that the economy is in a bad state after the 18 days of protest and the government enforced halt to most economic activity. Thus the strikes – many driven by the demand for higher wages – seem to come at the very wrong moment. As an Egyptian friend from the Middle Class put it “Egyptians are getting it wrong. Once again.” Many workers and lower class employees however have now discovered the people's power, and are at the same time appalled by the reported wealth amassed by Mubarak's family and other high ranking members of the ruling party NDP. Considering that nearly half of the population lives among the poverty line (43 % is the number making the round in Egypt these days) the incredible richness of some is increasingly perceived as a betrayal and theft.

It is unclear so far, to what extent the assets of former leading figures can be seized and returned to the Egyptian people, it is also unclear how the worker's and employee's justified demands shall be dealt with in times of the economy, especially tourism, being down.

Yet what remains is an unbreakable sense of hope and energy. Many Egyptians emphasize how now Egyptians have to work together, how everyone has to and will do his or her share in changing and improving the country. It is this sense of solidarity and eagerness to contribute that makes me hopeful for the future of Egypt. Egyptians also line out how the Mubarak system held them down for decades, how it alienated people from their country and their community, how the suppression was responsible for the inability of Egyptians to act together and individually to the benefit of the community. Whether this attribution of responsibility is right or wrong does hardly matter – the narrative of the new Egypt has already be found. And this narrative of regained agency and solidarity and identification already in itself empowers the people.

For an overview of the strikes and the reaction, the NY Times offers an article (subscribed users only, but registration with their website is free!).

For detailed accounts of the various events in Egypt and for an impression of the debates going on reagarding constitutional reform, you could check out the page of the Egyptian Daily “Masr AlYoum” http://www.almasryalyoum.com/en