Egyptian experts say change is slow but steady

Tension has been rising in Egypt as the population becomes increasingly impatient with the country’s new leadership. With massive protests slated for tomorrow, many groups have accused the new regime of trying to shore up a role for itself after elections. However, a number of Egyptian experts and academics remain committed to the new regime, urging patience and good will from the Egyptian population. Dr. Mustafa Alwi, the Chairman of the Department of Politics at Cairo University said: “change in underway on a personal level. Revolutions ‘divorce’ you from the past, which is what has happened in Egypt’s. In time, all former regime policies will disappear and never return.” “It is essential that the transitional government solves both security and economic issues, as well as strengthens the parliament so that it can keep a watchful eye on government and form the basis of the Egyptian political system. We need a parliament similar to France, and we’re getting there.” Major General Adel Suleiman, the head of Egypt’s International Center for Strategic and Future Studies agreed, saying: “Important change began with the revolution, removing the head of the regime as well as its corrupt elements. That marked the beginning of real change, which many people don’t see because it is happening slowly and often behind the scenes. But the new government is facing fierce resistance from Mubarak loyalists, whose behavior is humiliating Egyptian citizens and preventing the country from progressing.” “The old regime is finished intellectually and culturally as it does not fit with our new democracy, which believes that the Egyptian people are the country’s decision makers.” Meanwhile, Ahmed Bahaeddine, the representative of the Socialist Party said: “Although things seem to still be the same, big changes have taken place, but they are happening slowly across all fronts.” “Although many old-regime organisations have retained their old policies, the ongoing presence of the Egyptian people on the streets will ensure that a close eye is kept on the country’s leaders. All of this is evidence that Egypt is changing for the better.” Ahmed Saif El Islam, the Director of the Hisham Mubarak Center for Human Rights and Law, believes that: “Although changes are small, they are enough to ensure the defeat of corruption, especially now that Mubarak has been put on trial.” “I hope that no one wins the Presidential elections outright in the first round, because if there’s a second round, then the person elected will with all likelihood win by only a small margin, meaning that the population will watch them closely as they govern.” “The real concern is potential conflict between the elite and the political parties, which would bore the Egyptian people and cause them to become apathetic again, enabling the parties to return to their corrupt ways.” Nabil Abdel Fattah, the Director of the Ahram Center for Social and Historical Studies, has said that in-depth change is underway now that the new regime is strong enough to withstand challenges from the past.” He said that a number of key changes have already taken place, including breaking the fear barrier that had been put up by the old regime. The Egyptian people now demand their rights and believe that they are capable of forcing political change. Old regime officials have been held accountable for their actions and the importance of women has been acknowledged. Ihab Radi, a Lawyer and Consultant for the Community for Development and Protection of Democracy, is less optimistic. “The barrier between real democracy and the pseudo-democracy used by the former regime will not be broken down overnight.” Radi believes that democracy can only be achieved if the political parties unite and allow the Egyptian people to decide on new policies.