I knew that kefaya meant enough but had no idea that it was actually an recognised moniker for an Egyptian coalition that has been opposing President Mubarak for quite some time. There I was just trying to make sure that I was right and Google turned up this little nugget of information. You learn something new everyday, it's true :).
I am however saying enough to the craziness of the Egyptian situation. It has descended into people losing sight of their true goals I think. Now there are machine guns, fire and stones drowning out the once peaceful protests against the current regime, now reduced to an echo we have to strain our ears to hear. Mubarak has formally announced his commitment to stepping down in September, has officially declared that his son Gamal will not run in the next elections and has barred several ministers from fleeing the country by freezing their assets. And he has every right to fear that the country could fall into further disarray if he just ups and leaves as some would have him do. Now there are deaths and the injury count is inching ever closer to 1000 and all this happened in a day! At the same time, as many Western leaders have said, it looks unlikely that Mubarak can hold out until September. The situation is getting worse and people fear what will happen tomorrow. I am happy that the army is stepping in now to separate the opposing groups.
Fear seems to be driving a lot of decisions lately. In Algeria, in an attempt to counteract any attempts to protest a la Tunisia and Eygpt, the Algerian President has quickly employed countermeasures to appease his people. President Bouteflika has annouced that the state of emergency imposed in the 90s to will be lifted very soon. Who knew?! There are so many things I do not know and it is no excuse that I am not the only one who was in the dark about North Africa. I am glad that I am learning although I wish it had not been spurred by what is now turning into a tragedy.
To keep following the BBC is continuing its live feed with video and textual updates here.
You can also watch Al Jazeera live here.
The newly elected Prime Minister, Ahmed Shaqif, has apologised for yesterdays attacks. He vowed that justice will prevail and has condemned the violence stressing that the perpetrators will be sought out and punished. Protesters believe that the pro-Mubarak factions are organised and sponsored by the government. The weaponry that they are using is too sophisticated and it seems that they are working to a schedule. The Prime Minister, while denying government involvement has indicated that if this is the case, it will be found out and dealt with all the same. Here is a video of his press conference:
I am however saying enough to the craziness of the Egyptian situation. It has descended into people losing sight of their true goals I think. Now there are machine guns, fire and stones drowning out the once peaceful protests against the current regime, now reduced to an echo we have to strain our ears to hear. Mubarak has formally announced his commitment to stepping down in September, has officially declared that his son Gamal will not run in the next elections and has barred several ministers from fleeing the country by freezing their assets. And he has every right to fear that the country could fall into further disarray if he just ups and leaves as some would have him do. Now there are deaths and the injury count is inching ever closer to 1000 and all this happened in a day! At the same time, as many Western leaders have said, it looks unlikely that Mubarak can hold out until September. The situation is getting worse and people fear what will happen tomorrow. I am happy that the army is stepping in now to separate the opposing groups.
Fear seems to be driving a lot of decisions lately. In Algeria, in an attempt to counteract any attempts to protest a la Tunisia and Eygpt, the Algerian President has quickly employed countermeasures to appease his people. President Bouteflika has annouced that the state of emergency imposed in the 90s to will be lifted very soon. Who knew?! There are so many things I do not know and it is no excuse that I am not the only one who was in the dark about North Africa. I am glad that I am learning although I wish it had not been spurred by what is now turning into a tragedy.
To keep following the BBC is continuing its live feed with video and textual updates here.
You can also watch Al Jazeera live here.
The newly elected Prime Minister, Ahmed Shaqif, has apologised for yesterdays attacks. He vowed that justice will prevail and has condemned the violence stressing that the perpetrators will be sought out and punished. Protesters believe that the pro-Mubarak factions are organised and sponsored by the government. The weaponry that they are using is too sophisticated and it seems that they are working to a schedule. The Prime Minister, while denying government involvement has indicated that if this is the case, it will be found out and dealt with all the same. Here is a video of his press conference:
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