Analysis 11:49 03/09/2013

Islamists can’t be left out of Egypt’s political process

By removing the Muslim Brotherhood from the scene, the Egyptian government will repeat the same mistake Mohamed Morsi did when he isolated the liberal opposition, political analyst, Shahira Amin, told RT.

President Mohamed Morsi ousted by the military in July is to stand trial for inciting violence and the murder of protesters back in December along with other members of the Muslim Brotherhood. The country's army-backed government has also ordered the new ruling assembly to review all Islamist amendments to the constitution.

Independent journalist and political analyst, Shahira Amin, says that both sides of the conflict would have to make concessions otherwise the violence in Egypt will never end.

RT: How legitimate are the charges against Morsi and the Muslim Brotherhood?

Shahira Amin: What Muslin Brotherhood supporters are telling us that this are trumped up charges; that they’re politically motivated. But the government insists that Muslin Brotherhood leaders have incited violence. Indeed, a number of them have. They’ve called for street protests, which have led to clashes and a lot of bloodshed. So, we have mixed reaction to the arrests and trials of Muslim Brotherhood leaders here.

RT: With the Muslim Brotherhood now on trial alongside [Hosni] Mubarak, and the military back in power, do you think Egypt has actually moved anywhere since the revolution?

SA: Actually, what we see here is a return to pre-January 2011 back to the Mubarak police state. General Sisi has promised that this would be a democratic transition, but we see tanks on the streets; we see massacres – we had a number of massacres of the Islamist supporters of the ousted president; the closure of the Islamic channels and the arrest of Muslin Brotherhood leaders; the return of the emergency law; we have a curfew in place; the return of state security. So, all this takes us back to the Mubarak days. And it looks like none of the goals of the January 2011 revolution have been met. And that’s why last Friday, we saw a mixed crowd of protesters – not just Muslim Brotherhood supporters, but a lot of revolutionary activists, demanding legitimacy and calling for the goals of the January revolution.

RT: The Muslim Brotherhood's calling for more protests to mark the ouster of Morsi nearly two months ago - what do you expect to see tomorrow? Will there be a mass turnout?

SA: Well, we’ve seen a lot of bloodshed, a lot of violence. Violence can only breed violence. I see the only way out as reconciliation… As, you know, marginalization and isolation of the Muslim Brotherhood can only lead to more protests and more violence. So, I think only negotiations – and that’s the only way out of the political crisis right now. We see hundreds of thousands of Muslim Brotherhood… Islamists, not just Muslim Brotherhood, but other Islamist groups, and they can’t be left out of the political process. This can only lead to deadlock and impasse, really.

RT: The Brotherhood has declined to take part in the panel that's set to draw up a revised Constitution. Why is that?

SA: They are demanding a return to legitimacy and the reinstatement of the toppled president [Morsi]. Of course, we’re not going to see that happen. I believe that there have to be concessions on both sides. The Muslim Brotherhood – if it wants to survive this crisis – has to make concessions and join negotiations, otherwise they’ll be left out in the cold. And the government as well must reach out; otherwise they’ll be making the very same mistake that Morsi made when he isolated the liberal opposition.



Source Panorama.am
Share |
Տեքստում սխալ կամ վրիպակ նկատելու դեպքում, ուղարկեք խմբագրին հաղորդագրություն` նշելով տվյալ սխալը, այնուհետև սեղմելով Ctrl-Enter:

Newsfeed

17:13
EU could extend monitoring mission in Armenia through 2027
The High Representative of the European Union for Foreign Affairs and Security Policy, Kaja Kallas, has proposed a two-year extension of the...
16:45
Putin ready for talks with Trump, Kremlin says
The Kremlin said Friday that President Vladimir Putin was open to talks with Donald Trump, after the incoming US president said a meeting...
16:34
Armenian FM, EU envoy discuss security situation in South Caucasus
Armenian Foreign Minister Ararat Mirzoyan on Friday had a meeting with the EU Special Representative for the South Caucasus and the crisis in...
16:05
Yeghishe Charents' book sent into space on museum anniversary
The 60th anniversary of the founding and the 50th anniversary of the opening of the Yeghishe Charents House-Museum in Yerevan have been...
15:36
Pashinyan 'unaware' of developments in Armenia, ex-advisor says
Prime Minister Nikol Pashinyan on Thursday claimed that the number of air passengers arriving in Armenia increased by 20% between January 1...
15:02
ECHR told Baku to provide information on Armenian prisoners by late January
The European Court of Human Rights (ECHR) has ordered Azerbaijan to provide information on Armenian prisoners held illegally in Baku by the end...
14:35
Temperatures set to rise in Armenia
Dry weather is expected in Armenia's regions on Friday and over the next few days. Yerevan will also remain free of precipitation...
14:03
Politician: Impossible to achieve peace through 'political begging'
Opposition politician Eduard Sharmazanov claims former Armenian leaders managed to secure favorable terms in negotiations with Azerbaijan over...
13:16
Pashinyan's leadership: a catalyst for Armenia's decline
Op-ed by Vartan Oskanian, former Armenian foreign minister As 2025 unfolds, Armenia finds itself at a critical crossroads,...
13:05
WTA Hobart: Avanesyan loses semifinal to Kessler
American McCartney Kessler moved into the final of the WTA Hobart International by edging out Armenian Elina Avanesyan, the No 6 seed, 4-6, 6-3,...
12:30
Armenian State Symphony Orchestra to perform at Dubai Opera
The Armenian State Symphony Orchestra will present the Symphonic Rock concert series in Dubai, United Arab Emirates, from January 17 to 19,...
12:14
Armenian archbishop voices support for Artsakh leaders facing sham trials in Baku
Archbishop Bagrat Galstanyan has expressed support for Artsakh’s military and political leaders, as well as other Armenian prisoners...
11:35
Death toll in Los Angeles wildfires rises to 10
At least 10 people are believed to be dead as wildfires continue to scorch many cities in the Los Angeles County area, Euronews reported....
11:24
Fog blankets parts of Armenia
The Rescue Service has warned drivers of a road closure in Armenia. In particular, the road connecting the Amberd high mountain...
11:11
Armenia offers condolences amid devastating wildfires in California
The Armenian Foreign Ministry has extended condolences to those affected by the devastating wildfires in California. "Saddened by...
17:19
Pashinyan could recall CSTO after Aliyev's remarks, top Russian official says
Deputy Chairman of the Russian Security Council Dmitry Medvedev claims that Armenian Prime Minister Nikol Pashinyan could recall the...
16:46
Over 137,000 people evacuated amid Los Angeles wildfires
At least five wildfires are raging in Los Angeles - the two largest cover more than 27,000 acres and are 0% contained, BBC News reports....
16:30
Fog expected to hit some parts of Armenia
Dry weather is expected in Armenia's regions on Thursday and over the next few days. No precipitation is forecast for the capital...
16:05
Kremlin doubts Armenia can be member of both EU and EAEU
Armenia can hardly be a member of both the European Union and the Eurasian Economic Union (EAEU), Kremlin Spokesman Dmitry Peskov said at a...
15:36
MP calls for int'l action to prevent Azeri aggression against Armenia
Opposition lawmaker Tigran Abrahamyan has warned that Azerbaijani is planning fresh aggression against Armenia, calling on international actors...
15:00
Russia to continue building relations with Armenia, Azerbaijan, Kremlin says
Moscow is committed to peace, stability, and security in the Caucasus and will continue to strengthen relations with both Baku and Yerevan,...
14:38
Expert: Armenian leadership lacks 'plan B' for possible war
Political analyst Suren Sargsyan has called out the Armenian authorities for failure to handle security challenges facing the country....
14:06
Catholicos Aram I closely following California wildfire crisis
In recent hours, His Holiness Catholicos Aram I of the Great House of Cilicia has reached out multiple times to the Prelate of the Western...
13:36
US refrains from commenting on strategic partnership with Armenia for now
The United States “has nothing to comment on or announce at this point” regarding the potential signing of a strategic partnership...
13:08
Armenian government backs EU accession bid
The Armenian government has expressed support for a legislative initiative to launch a process for the country’s accession to the European...
12:36
Baku TV again falsely presents ancient Armenian church as Azerbaijani heritage
A pro-government TV channel in Baku has once again falsely presented the 7th-century Armenian monastery of Harichavank as part of...
12:00
Lucas Zelarayán returns to Belgrano
Belgrano de Córdoba has officially announced the return of Lucas Zelarayán after weeks of uncertainty, during which the club...
11:45
Fog hits Armenian town
The Rescue Service has warned drivers of a road closure in Armenia as of Thursday morning. In particular, the road connecting the...
11:33
Hobart International: Elina Avanesyan through to semifinals
Armenian Elina Avanesyan, the No 6 seed, advanced to the last four of the Hobart International after American Amanda Anisimova, the No 3 seed,...
11:22
Armenian school destroyed in California wildfires
As the windstorm wreaking havoc across Los Angeles County continues to rage, its devastating impact has left thousands homeless, evacuated,...

Follow us and get updates!

Most popular articles

{"core.blocks.header.spell_message1":"Selected mistake: ","core.blocks.header.spell_message2":"Send a message about the mistake?"}