Aftermath
Issandr El AmraniI don't have much time to post thoughts here. I landed in Cairo around 4pm and had to pay a lot to get a driver to go a roundabout way to get home in Garden City. My street was full of rocks and cars bashed in. I saw the NDP office a block from my house get looted and then burned. Some shops were looted and destroyed nearby too. The NDP HQ building has burned down, many were horrified that the fire could spread to the Egyptian Museum next door, which protesters and later the army protected from looting. Central Cairo is a mess, with barricades made out of burned out cars blocking major streets.
Crowds were out until late despite the curfew, I got tear-gassed (it's not pleasant). Some people are getting mugged - it is not safe late at night in some places, although most of the protesters are extremely nice. There's a lot of solidarity among the people, helping those who are wounded and tear-gassed, and so on, and an amazing sense of exhilaration.
You know the situation: we may be in the process of a revolution in Egypt, but it hasn't happened quite yet. No one is sure where Mubarak is, although most assume Sharm al-Sheikh. In his speech last night he appeared resolute to remain president, but the situation can change rapidly. Everyone I spoke to on the street this morning said this speech would not satisfy their demands and that the problem is him, and therefore he must step down.
Last night there was some confusion about who would speak - when the name Fathi Surour, the speaker of parliament, came up many assumed he would take over as interim president, as constitutionally mandated in the event of the president's permanent incapacity. We have army and republican guard units in central Cairo, but I am not sure what the current military chain of command is. Last night Chief of Staff of the Armed Forces Sami Enan flew back from Washington, it's not clear whether his role is the same. As expected, coup-proofing measures are in place.
The hyper-caution and concern of the Americans was evident in the statements last night. They are potential kingmakers but appear terrified of acting before having a better understanding of the situation on the ground. I thought Mubarak's speech was in large part directed at them, touching on all State's and White House's talking points: freedom of expression but responsibility not to use violence, making still uncertain concessions. At this point there will be a natural tension among Egyptians between those who are terrified (my middle class Egyptian neighbors are panicking) and those who are angry Mubarak is still there. More protests expected later today, situation may turn violent again. We just don't know at this point, and having just experienced the uncertainty of post-revolutionary moments in Tunisia, I expect the situation and public mood will be extremely volatile, changing hour to hour between the desire to restore order and the realization that they may be tantalizingly close to the regime change they were clamoring for.
I dread to think what the death toll might be, especially in the provinces (and most of all the Canal cities). There is no overall picture of the national situation yet.
More later, internet access permitting (I am at a five-star hotel, they have limited access). The mobile phones just came back on, but not mobile internet yet.
Reader Comments (9)
I am really interested to find out why is it that the south of Egypt was completely oblivious to these protests? is it a question of time before the full picture is unraveled or the south decided to leave the stage to the technically more savvy northern residents?
Marwa, RNN network of Egyptian on-ground sources on facebook had several reports of large protests in Asyut. Not as much reported as other areas from Fayyoum north and east, but there were things being reported. Whether it was relatively more quiet or just less reported I don't know, but it sounds clear there were at least some meaningful protests in Upper Egypt.
When you've had a bit of time to settle in, would be interested in your thoughts on whether the economic impact of the protests esp for international investors vs the lobbying of pro-Camp David types in the US will lead to more international pressure on Hosni to have a proper transition or more pressure to stay with the SOB. Also is it true Ahmed Ezz & co are fleeing?
Glad you're well! Internet doesn't seem to be working for you (email address) so I'll ask here. Is Ursula all right and everybody else? Could I have Salama's take on events?
LOve from SA
Hey I know you are super busy but if you find the time there is one aspect very unclear to me ans that is the role of the army.
I hear reports of the army protecting the protestors from the police. I alsways expected the army to be an integral part of Mubaraks power machinery but it seems that they are no obeying uncrtiically. Who runs the show?Somebody mentioned that the army is well respected and the Egyptian people place great trust in it.
I mean they are there to restore the order and as it seems Mubraks order.
If you have the time I would be so greatful.
Best of luck. My heart is in Egypt.
Thanks, Issandr, for the detailed update. I think we're all, from around the world, following this with baited breath and wishing we were there. Love to Ursula and everyone. Stay safe and keep the news coming when you can.
What arabic word is most used by the press to qualify the "protests", "revolution", "uprising"? Thanks.
In French some say "insurection" as http://www.lesinfluences.fr/Du-Caire-rhetorique-d-une.html
Thanks for the update - keep the news coming, but stay safe.
Thank you for the blog posts its hard to get an ideal picture of what is going on on the ground there in cairo from the media alone. The people must make it an importance to go out on the street in groups as militias and guard from looting etc. Try and set up communication channels for militias to communicate and call for back up from other groups if help is needed. People don't need Mubarak for their security.
Also the people should watch out for another American puppet if he steps down and someone takes his place. People in Egypt are well educated and I believe they will do whats right for their country.
All the best for the revolution we are praying for Egypt and our hearts are with the Egyptian people!