SALON

Thursday, Dec 6, 2012 10:10 PM UTC

Strange bedfellows in Egyptian chaos

An odd alliance between pro-democracy activists and Mubarak loyalists is raising eyebrows. Who is playing whom?

By

Topics: GlobalPost, Egypt, Hosni Mubarak, Mohamed Morsi, Tahrir Square, Muslim Brotherhood,

Strange bedfellows in Egyptian chaosEgyptian protesters clash with security forces near Tahrir square, in Cairo, Egypt. (Credit: AP/Khalil Hamra)
This article originally appeared on GlobalPost.

Global Post CAIRO, Egypt — Thirty-four-year-old Sara Ebeid had never before participated in an anti-government protest.

She was a supporter of Egypt’s ousted dictator, Hosni Mubarak, and opposed the 2011 revolution.

But all that changed Tuesday night, when she joined tens of thousands of Egyptians outside the presidential palace to protest Mohamed Morsi’s new, wide-ranging powers.

Ebeid, who works for Nokia, stayed for the demonstration Wednesday night too. That protest turned violent. Clashes erupted between those for and against Morsi, leaving at least six people dead and 650 injured.

It was Egypt’s fiercest street battle since Morsi assumed office in June. On Thursday, Morsi sent in tanks to disperse the crowd.

“I never went down to Tahrir to protest with the revolutionaries because I’ve always been felool,” Ebeid said, using an Arabic word that has evolved into a derogatory term meaning “remnants” or supporters of the Mubarak regime. “But right now we have the same goal. I want Morsi out.”

Ebeid’s transformation into a protester illustrates an odd twist in Egypt’s tumultuous post uprising history. As opposition to Morsi grows fierce, an unlikely alliance is forming between pro-democracy revolutionaries and the counterrevolutionary bloc that rejected the 2011 uprising.

The latter group largely supported security crackdowns on Tahrir Square demonstrators at the time, and many voted for the pro-military candidate Ahmed Shafiq in last summer’s elections.

This most recent wave of protests emerged from a confrontation between Morsi, a former Muslim Brotherhood leader, and the country’s judiciary, which is sympathetic to Mubarak and the military. In June, The Supreme Constitutional Court voted to dissolve the parliament, which was dominated by Islamists after a democratic election.

Morsi later responded by decreeing greater powers for the presidency, allowing him to operate outside the control of the judiciary. The move was widely seen as step back toward dictatorship and protests erupted. A hastily written constitution that lacks the support of secular forces and Egypt’s Coptic Christian church, only made matters worse.

The alliance between Mubarak supporters and liberal activists was made nearly official Wednesday when three titans of Egyptian politics joined forces in opposition to Morsi.

Amr Moussa, a former Mubarak official, and Hamdeen Sabbahi, a longtime Mubarak opponent — as well as the liberal Nobel Laureate Mohamed ElBaradei — will now form the most unlikely of political coalitions.

In another surprise, pro-democracy activists have thrown their support behind the judiciary, which despite a contingent of reform minded judges, is considered a corrupt Mubarak holdover in desperate need of reform.

The majority of Egypt’s judges have halted their work in protest against the Morsi decree sidelining the judiciary. Some have announced they will boycott the judicial supervision of the constitutional referendum on Dec. 15, which is required by law.

Mervat Sameh, a 15-year-old accountant who protested outside the presidential palace Tuesday night, said it was time to put old divisions between the revolutionaries and Mubarak supporters aside.

“These people, they are standing with us now. And in this situation, when they are putting their lives and livelihoods at risk, we have to trust them,” he said.

The uneasy cooperation is not without controversy.

Some activists warily accept the participation of those that balked at the goals of the anti-Mubarak uprising last year, if only to boost the numbers at anti-Morsi demonstrations. But for them, that’s as far as the alliance goes.

“Felool supporters are Egyptians who just chose something sinister. We must win them over, but never align ourselves with their goals,” Egyptian activist, Wael Eskandar, posted on Twitter on Nov. 28.

The presence of Mubarak supporters at this week’s protests has added credibility to claims by the Muslim Brotherhood that regime loyalists and the military are conspiring to unseat the democratically elected Islamists.

Brotherhood leaders and spokespeople have been quick to paint the protests as the work of “armed thugs,” supported and paid by the Mubarak faithful.

“The constitutional court overstepped their legally imposed bounds, and [Morsi] had to react,” said Ibrahim Al Iraqi, a Brotherhood leader in the Egyptian province of Dahqhleya. “And now, anti-revolutionary forces and the remnants of the regime are inciting people to act against Egypt’s interests.”

The political demands of the new opposition — put forth by the coalition of ElBaradei, Moussa and Sabbahi — include Morsi rescinding his decree, calling off the constitutional referendum, and the creation of a new, more representative constituent assembly.

But pro-Mubarak protesters like Ebeid are clear that, no matter what, they want the Islamists far from the seats of power.

“I don’t want to talk about the constitution. There can be no negotiations about this,” she said. “I want Morsi out, I want the Brotherhood out. I don’t want any religion close to or related to the state.”

Erin Cunningham

More Erin Cunningham.

You Might Also Like

More Related Stories

Featured Slide Shows

7 motorist-friendly camping sites

close X
  • Share on Twitter
  • Share on Facebook
  • Thumbnails
  • Fullscreen
  • 1 of 9

Sponsored Post

  • White River National Forest via Lower Crystal Lake, Colorado
    For those OK with the mainstream, White River Forest welcomes more than 10 million visitors a year, making it the most-visited recreation forest in the nation. But don’t hate it for being beautiful; it’s got substance, too. The forest boasts 8 wilderness areas, 2,500 miles of trail, 1,900 miles of winding service system roads, and 12 ski resorts (should your snow shredders fit the trunk space). If ice isn’t your thing: take the tire-friendly Flat Tops Trail Scenic Byway — 82 miles connecting the towns of Meeker and Yampa, half of which is unpaved for you road rebels.
    fs.usda.gov/whiteriveryou


    Image credit: Getty

  • Chattahoochee-Oconee National Forest via Noontootla Creek, Georgia
    Boasting 10 wildernesses, 430 miles of trail and 1,367 miles of trout-filled stream, this Georgia forest is hailed as a camper’s paradise. Try driving the Ridge and Valley Scenic Byway, which saw Civil War battles fought. If the tall peaks make your engine tremble, opt for the relatively flat Oconee National Forest, which offers smaller hills and an easy trail to the ghost town of Scull Shoals. Scaredy-cats can opt for John’s Mountain Overlook, which leads to twin waterfalls for the sensitive sightseer in you.
    fs.usda.gov/conf


    Image credit: flickr/chattoconeenf

  • Nordhouse Dunes Wilderness Area via Green Road, Michigan
    The only national forest in Lower Michigan, the Huron-Mainstee spans nearly 1 million acres of public land. Outside the requisite lush habitat for fish and wildlife on display, the Nordhouse Dunes Wilderness Area is among the biggest hooks for visitors: offering beach camping with shores pounded by big, cerulean surf. Splash in some rum and you just might think you were in the Caribbean.
    fs.usda.gov/hmnf


    Image credit: umich.edu

  • Canaan Mountain via Backcountry Canaan Loop Road, West Virginia
    A favorite hailed by outdoorsman and author Johnny Molloy as some of the best high-country car camping sites anywhere in the country, you don’t have to go far to get away. Travel 20 miles west of Dolly Sods (among the busiest in the East) to find the Canaan Backcountry (for more quiet and peace). Those willing to leave the car for a bit and foot it would be remiss to neglect day-hiking the White Rim Rocks, Table Rock Overlook, or the rim at Blackwater River Gorge.
    fs.usda.gov/mnf


    Image credit: Getty

  • Mt. Rogers NRA via Hurricane Creek Road, North Carolina
    Most know it as the highest country they’ll see from North Carolina to New Hampshire. What they may not know? Car campers can get the same grand experience for less hassle. Drop the 50-pound backpacks and take the highway to the high country by stopping anywhere on the twisting (hence the name) Hurricane Road for access to a 15-mile loop that boasts the best of the grassy balds. It’s the road less travelled, and the high one, at that.
    fs.usda.gov/gwj


    Image credit: wikipedia.org

  • Long Key State Park via the Overseas Highway, Florida
    Hiking can get old; sometimes you’d rather paddle. For a weekend getaway of the coastal variety and quieter version of the Florida Keys that’s no less luxe, stick your head in the sand (and ocean, if snorkeling’s your thing) at any of Long Key’s 60 sites. Canoes and kayaks are aplenty, as are the hot showers and electric power source amenities. Think of it as the getaway from the typical getaway.
    floridastateparks.org/longkey/default.cfm


    Image credit: floridastateparks.org

  • Grand Canyon National Park via Crazy Jug Point, Arizona
    You didn’t think we’d neglect one of the world’s most famous national parks, did you? Nor would we dare lead you astray with one of the busiest parts of the park. With the Colorado River still within view of this cliff-edge site, Crazy Jug is a carside camper’s refuge from the troops of tourists. Find easy access to the Bill Hall Trail less than a mile from camp, and descend to get a peek at the volcanic Mt. Trumbull. (Fear not: It’s about as active as your typical lazy Sunday in front of the tube, if not more peaceful.)
    fs.usda.gov/kaibab


    Image credit: flickr/Irish Typepad

  • As the go-to (weekend) getaway car for fiscally conscious field trips with friends, the 2013 MINI Convertible is your campground racer of choice, allowing you and up to three of your co-pilots to take in all the beauty of nature high and low. And with a fuel efficiency that won’t leave you in the latter, you won’t have to worry about being left stranded (or awkwardly asking to go halfsies on gas expenses).


    Image credit: miniusa.com

  • Recent Slide Shows

  • Share on Twitter
  • Share on Facebook
  • Thumbnails
  • Fullscreen
  • 1 of 9

Related Videos

Comments

 4 Comments

Comment Preview

Your name will appear as username ( settings | log out )

You may use these HTML tags and attributes: <a href=""> <b> <em> <strong> <i> <blockquote>

Salon is proud to feature content from GlobalPost, an awarding-winning international news site that focuses on original reporting from journalists stationed around the world. GlobalPost combines traditional journalistic values with the power of new media to offer a fresh perspective on global developments.

follow salon

Most Read

Popular on Reddit

links from salon.com

vote
Let's Stop Screwing Around and Impeach James Clapper: After lying to Congress about all the different ways the NSA's spying on us, Director of National Intelligence James Clapper lies about how he lied. Call the White House at 202 456-1111 and Tell Obama to Get Rid of Clapper
95 points96 points | 4 comments
vote
Machiavelli doesn’t belong to the 1 percent | "The Prince" is oft-quoted on Wall Street, but its author was a hero of the working class who despised elites
67 points68 points | 15 comments
vote
We must hate our children
62 points63 points | 11 comments
vote
Machiavelli doesn’t belong to the 1 percent | "The Prince" is oft-quoted on Wall Street, but its author was a hero of the working class who despised elites
53 points54 points | 16 comments
vote
Let's Stop Screwing Around and Impeach James Clapper: After lying to Congress about all the different ways the NSA's spying on us, Director of National Intelligence James Clapper lies about how he lied. Call the White House at 202 456-1111 and Tell Obama to Get Rid of Clapper
47 points48 points | 6 comments

From Around the Web

Presented by Scribol
listener_new_rect The Listener: "The Joker": Laughing at life's deepest sorrows