REHAM BARAKAT The Egypt Monocle “It's a coup.” “No, it is not, it is a revolution of the people.” “All right, let's call it a soft coup.” “Not even, it is the work of Tamarod and the people, and the army only stepped in to meet their demands.” This is an example of the revolving, dizzying dialogue that is now flooding traditional and social media and conversations in the street following the spectacular ousting of President Mohamed Morsi from power in Egypt. After three days of unprecedented protests across the nation denouncing the legitimacy of now ex-President Morsi and demanding early presidential elections, the Egyptian people with the support of the Armed Forces and the allegiance of other state institutions such as the judiciary and police were able to do just that.
As I write this, Egypt now has a new acting President and is hopefully on the path to the creation of a new interim government, an inclusive constitution, parliamentary elections and finally a newly elected president in fair and free elections. Sounds good doesn't it? The euphoria on the streets after the issuing of the statement by the Armed Forces that outlined the new roadmap for Egypt following the ouster/overthrow/delegitimization (call it what you will) of President Morsi would indicate that. The uproar in the streets after the statement by the Armed Forces had ended sounded like a bomb exploding; the tears, jumps for joy, ululations, smiles and gestures of joy all pointed to the fact that people representing a very large portion of Egyptian society were elated. Because they were. They felt free, liberated from what they saw as rule by a tyrannical cult of terrorists, as some would define the Muslim Brotherhood that Morsi was a part of. They felt that Egypt had been saved from a fascist group in power that had achieved nothing in the past year. They felt that the country, as so many people said, had finally returned back to Egyptians. On the other hand, however, supporters of Morsi, the former regime and the Muslim Brotherhood also let out a large roar in their protests but it was a roar of dismay, shock and a sense of betrayal. They viewed the casting out of Morsi as an act of treachery by the Armed Forces and the opposition of the now former regime. They screamed “traitor,” they too wept, they too gesticulated wildly but not in joy; doesn't sound good does it? The reason why I ask this question is that some loyalists of Morsi have been accused of being prone to violence and of carrying all kinds of weapons. News has been spreading of confrontations between soldiers and Morsi loyalists in Giza, and confrontations between the police and supporters of the former regime have also been reported in other provinces, as well as the burning of a church. Unfortunately, negative acts on the part of members of the former regime have portrayed them as criminals, terrorists and ex-convicts whose only place is back in jail behind bars. Acts of violence in the street have not gained sympathy for them either. In fact all they appear to be is a bunch of sore losers who refuse to accept the current state of affairs, reminding some people of their consistent attempt to force themselves on Egyptian society throughout their tenure in power. “When Morsi won the elections did we go out and start killing, shooting and harming people,” someone asked? Good point but not enough for all Morsi supporters to be labeled as criminals who deserve to be imprisoned unless proven truly guilty of committing a legitimate crime through a sound and fair legal system. But whether that will be the case remains to be seen, considering the news reports of leaders of the Muslim Brotherhood being detained, which is casting a gloomy picture over the future of political activists, especially those who believe that the removal of Morsi is undoubtedly a coup. As the days go by, the euphoria will end, life will go back to normal and once again the problems that Egyptians face will rise to the surface, but this time it will be with the added fear of what pro-Morsi cohorts might do if they refuse to accept that the days of the Muslim Brotherhood in power are over for now. The opposition and the Armed Forces have called upon everyone to recognize that they are all part of Egyptian society and that no one should be subjected to alienation, refutation, attacks and insults. This, of course, sounds noble and wonderful on paper but might not be reflected in reality or on the streets by either side. It is with great sadness that we are forced to observe such a brutally divided society that can be considered the result of the Morsi regime and his entourage which failed to create an inclusive, diverse and united Egypt. Whether Morsi's supporters will accept defeat and choose to dissolve and integrate with the rest of Egypt remains to be seen and the signs so far have been disturbing, but it now remains the responsibility of the soon-to-be appointed government and interim president to bridge this gap if Egypt is to progress steadily and threat-free into the future. That said, “It's a coup.” “No, it is not, it is a revolution of the people.” “All right, let's call it a soft coup.” “Not even, it is the work of Tamarod and the people and the army only stepped in to meet their demands.” It is time that we stop arguing about how to define what has happened in the past few days. These recent events were proof of the miraculous ability of Egyptians to stand up for themselves and assert their will against a regime that has left some parts of the country in tatters. It is time that we look at any mistakes that might have been made and correct them. It is time to peer into the future to create a nation of hope for everyone in it. It is time that we build this country into something greater than it already is and the past few days are evidence of what Egyptians can achieve when they have a united determined goal. So coup or not, here's to freedom, here's to the future, here's to Egypt. – Reham Barakat is a Cairo-based commentator and creative writer.
