Egypt’s constitution faces another makeover, while the military resumes sovereignty in the absence of ousted president Mohammed Morsi. In 2011 the world watched as Egypt followed suit in the Arab Spring uprisings, deposing dictator Hosni Mubarak. After Mubarak, the military presence strengthened to pacify conditions, and a transitional government was installed. The revolution settled and a presidential campaign rose from the tumult with the promise of democracy.
In June of 2012, with 51.7% of votes, Mohammed Morsi became the first elected leader in Egyptian history. Morsi is a part of the extremist group the Muslim Brotherhood, but vowed to set aside religious affiliation and repair Egypt. His campaign lifted spirits, but as his term progressed he met few of his promises, assumed unrightful authority, and gave the Brotherhood political monopoly. Egypt is an Islamic state, over eighty percent of the population is Muslim, but laws created and passed under authority of the Brotherhood did not favor the people.The public was frustrated by the obvious bias in their new constitution, and the critical errors in Morsi's efforts to aid crippling issues like unemployment.
Several months after the new leader was sworn in, the people grew tired of his poor leadership and hundreds of thousands of protestors flooded the streets of Cairo beginning a new revolution. The military supported the anti-Morsi movement, hoping to once again gain control of Egypt. Almost a year after Morsi entered office, millions of people had joined the movement seeking change for the people by the people. Demonstrations continued and violence broke out between anti and pro Morsi protestors leaving hundreds dead, but the people had spoken, and almost all of Egypt wanted Morsi ousted. The military stepped in and on July 1st 2013, the Supreme Council of the Armed Forces gave President Mohamed Morsi 48 hours to satisfy the people or resign. Morsi did neither. ("Egypt military: President Morsi ousted, constitution suspended," 2013).
Outraged, the Muslim Brotherhood declared this a military coup, urging Morsi supporters to fight back. Violent demonstrations began and hundreds more were killed, but Morsi refused to step down because he felt he was the victim of a military seizure of power and that he was the rightfully elected leader of Egypt. Travel bans were imposed on Morsi and his constitution was suspended. Morsi was officially removed from government office. Army Chief General Abdel-Fattah el-Sisi appointed the Supreme Constitutional Court Chief Justice Adli Mansour the interim president, and announced that a public referendum of the revised constitution would be held along with elections within a year.
The military was in control, and the upper House of Parliament, in which the Brotherhood dominated, was dissolved, and all media supporting the Muslim Brotherhood was prohibited. Muslim Brotherhood leaders and officials were detained along with ex-president Morsi. Formal accusations, some punishable by death, were brought up against them, including corruption, conspiring with foreign militant movements, inciting their supporters to kill protesters, and other charges. In December the military banned the Muslim Brotherhood as a terrorist organization, and Morsi's trial was set for February of the new year. (Aswany, 2014).
Coups, Constitutions, and Conflict: Egypt's Interminable Revolution
By Juliet Nolan