Analysts distant from Egypt street
With no internet in Cairo for a fourth day today it’s hard to get a real sense of what’s being written about the Egypt
CAIRO, EGYPT — With no internet in Cairo for a fourth day today it’s hard to get a real sense of what’s being written about the Egypt uprising.
From the few stories I have read it seems there’s still a real disconnect between those analyzing these historic events from abroad and those in Egypt experiencing the passion of protests first-hand.
The well-overdue appointment of a vice president has had no impact on the people I spoke to in Tahrir Square yesterday as they defied a curfew for the 3rd time.
Tear gas hasn’t stopped this movement, nor water cannons, rubber-coated steel bullets or live ammunition. Armoured personal carriers, tanks, helicopters and even fighter jets have failed to disperse crowds. What’s next? A US aircraft carrier sailing down the Nile?
As the fighter jets rumbled into the distance on Sunday afternoon, an Egyptian woman aged 71 brought her daughter to me in Tahrir Square to translate a question. She wanted to know what I thought of yet another day of energetic protests? I told her it didn’t matter what I think – what does she think?
Her daughter said to me, “She just wants to know why he won’t leave?”
This grandmother of 12 didn’t care that a military curfew had begun or that the air force was now joining in to enforce it. All she wanted to know is when the rest of world will understand that President Mubarak cannot fix the problem – he is the problem?
It’s unlikely a man who’s held a tight grip on this nation for 30 years will have an easy time understanding the message his people are attempting to deliver very clearly. And while he still has the backing of his military, nobody will be forcing him to do anything.
But it’s also now blatantly obvious to anyone who’s mingled in the Tahrir Square crowds growing larger by the day that they won’t go home until they have a new leader.
Until then, Egypt will remain paralyzed and on edge.