Mubarak Ousted as Military takes Charge
Published on 12th February 2011
Egyptian Vice President Omar Suleiman's statement on Feb. 11: “In the name of God the merciful, the compassionate, citizens, during these very difficult circumstances Egypt is going through, President Hosni Mubarak has decided to step down from the office of president of the republic and has charged the high council of the armed forces to administer the affairs of the country. May God help everybody” marked the end of President Hosni Mubarak's stay in power.
Whether Suleiman will remain as the civilian head of the army-led government will remain to be seen. Egypt's current scenario is reminiscent of the 1952 model where the state was ruled via a council of army officers. To what extent the military elite will share power with its civilian counterparts will unfold soon.
The military has promised to hold elections on schedule in September . The military has a great task in the wake of rising opposition forces, particularly the Muslim Brotherhood the fate of the ruling National Democratic Party (NDP) which hangs in balance. While serving as the provisional government, the military council will likely want to balance between retaining the ruling NDP as well as incorporating elements of the opposition to manage the transition. Navigating power while crafting a democratic government will be a gigantic task for the military as it tries to avoid regime change and address a potential constitutional crisis.
Whether Suleiman will remain as the civilian head of the army-led government will remain to be seen. Egypt's current scenario is reminiscent of the 1952 model where the state was ruled via a council of army officers. To what extent the military elite will share power with its civilian counterparts will unfold soon.
The military has promised to hold elections on schedule in September . The military has a great task in the wake of rising opposition forces, particularly the Muslim Brotherhood the fate of the ruling National Democratic Party (NDP) which hangs in balance. While serving as the provisional government, the military council will likely want to balance between retaining the ruling NDP as well as incorporating elements of the opposition to manage the transition. Navigating power while crafting a democratic government will be a gigantic task for the military as it tries to avoid regime change and address a potential constitutional crisis.