take to the streets in large numbers,
calling it a "day of rage".
Thousands marched in downtown Cairo, heading towards the offices of the ruling National Democratic Party,
as well as the foreign ministry and the state television. Similar protests are reported in other towns
across the country. Based on its past elections, Egypt was considered among the least democratic
countries in the world, although a bit more democratic than some of its neighbors,
like Saudi Arabia and Libya.
After a few hours of relative calm, police and demonstrators clash; police fire tear gas and use water
cannons against demonstrators screaming out "Down with Mubarak" in Cairo's main Tahrir Square.
riots break out in the Mediterranean city of Alexandria, the Nile Delta cities of Mansura and
Tanta and in the southern cities of Aswan and Assiut, witnesses say.
Hours after the countrywide riots begin, the interior ministry issues a statement blaming
the Muslim Brotherhood, Egypt's technically banned but largest opposition party, for fomenting
the unrest, A claim that the Muslim Brotherhood denies.
Protest organisers heavily relied on social media outlets such as Facebook and Twitter.
The interior minister says three protesters and a police officer have been killed during
the anti-government demonstrations.
Mubarak is out and Egyptians under 30 will see a new president for the first time in their lives.
This is a huge political achievement, In 18 days the people brought down the head of a political
order that has effectively been in place for 60 years, from Nasser to Sadat to Mubarak.
There is a sense of empowerment among the people of Egypt, a sense that the future is theirs to make.
However, today’s announcement also means that the military is now in charge of the transitional process.
As the cheers were going up from Tahrir Square we were already hearing commentary, speeches, blogs, and
tweets from Egyptians who are quite clear that this is the chance for a new beginning and affirming
their commitment to continue the struggle to make sure the full aspirations of the Egyptian people are realized.
In Conclusion We desperately need to rethink,
a new global strategy. We would do better spending less time strengthening
Militaries. at home and abroad then more time supporting democratic governance,
civil society and economic development. We should understand that to be effective,
our foreign policy must complement reforms at home, ones that improve democracy,
enhance human security and spur economic opportunity. America is exceptional not because
we are rich but because we were founded on a revolutionary ideal, that people have the right to govern themselves.
And yet we have become a status quo nation, too often we invest in maintaining oppressive power.
The revolution sweeping the Middle East suggests we had better think very hard about that contradiction.
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© Jose Arroyo 2010
