A Potential Campaign

A Potential Campaign

On October 8^th Egypt’s Army chief/ defense minister revealed that there would be a possibility that he would attempt to run for president in the upcoming elections scheduled for next year.  Since the time of the army’s takeover officials (of the interim government) and allied media have depicted the Muslim Brotherhood as a threat to the nation and presented them as a terrorist threat that needs to be combated.  This has resulted in as massive escalation of violence by Islamic militants, some of whom are allied to the Muslim Brotherhood.  The acts of violence have been attacks against security forces in the areas of northern Sinai and other parts of the country.  While tension and conflicts have been high between pro-Morsi demonstrators and the army some media sources have taken a very one sided view. These sources of media have portrayed el-Sissi and the army as the countries saviors.  The sources of media allied with el-Sissi are trying to raise support in order to get Sissi to run for elected office.  As these reports have come out the violence still continues.  On Monday the 7^th of October, nine soldiers and policemen were killed and the attackers were able to fire a projectile at the country’s main satellite communications station in Cairo, effectively creating a giant hole in the dish.   A militant group called the Furqan Birgades claimed responsibility for the attack and sated that it was part of “ongoing war between "Sunni Muslims and infidels who intended to uproot Islam from the land of Egypt."

            With the potential of el-Sissi running for office being put out into the media, the effects of him running and potentially being elected have to be taken into consideration.  There is still a great amount of violence and conflict around the current interim president and military-backed interim government.  As a result the question is raise if el-Sissi run’s will it cause greater conflict among the masses and will the elections proceed smoothly if he is allowed to run?  In addition who will run against him and will the people Egypt really have a choice of who can run against el-Sissi and who they can vote for.  People are currently wondering if the state of military rule will end anytime soon especially with the ongoing violence.  If the state continues will el-Sissi step down?  The announcement of this possible presidential campaign raises the question of if Egypt will go back to having elections and if elections are brought back will they be fair and peaceful.

References:

1) Michael, Maggie (Oct 8th, 2013). Egypt's army chief leaves open possibility of running for president. Retrieved from  http://www.ctvnews.ca/world/egypt-s-army-chief-leaves-open-possibility-of-running-for-president-1.1488911