New 'anti-Brotherhood, anti-military' front launched

[DJKeefy]

New 'anti-Brotherhood, anti-military' front launched to 'achieve revolution goals'.

A new front, dubbed "Revolution Path Front" aimed at providing an alternative to the current "polarisation" between the military and Muslim Brotherhood has been launched on Tuesday in a press conference attended by tens of leading political figures, activists and groups.

"It has been two-and-a-half years since the revolution began and Egyptians have not yet achieved their dream of building a new republic that will provide them with democracy, justice and equality," according to the front's founding statement read by prominent leftist-economist Wael Gamal.

"Millions have taken to the streets twice; once in January 2011 to topple Mubarak's regime, which was based on corruption and oppression… and a second time in June 2013, forcing Mohamed Morsi to step down after losing legitimacy as a result of the Brotherhood's attempts to monopolise political life and rebuild an oppressive system," the statement added.

The aim of the front, explained Gamal, is to work for the redistribution of wealth, achieve social justice, combat the formation of an oppressive regime, achieve equality between citizens, set the path for transitional justice and adopt foreign policies that guarantee national independence.

The call for an "Egyptian Bill of Rights," will be one of many campaigns the front aims at developing, and will include collecting at least one million signatures on a rights document that will stipulate the desired civil, economic, political and cultural rights of Egyptians.

Known activist Alaa Abdel-Fattah, April 6 founding member Ahmed Maher, renowned author Ahdaf Soueif, and labor lawyer Haitham Mohamadein were amongst several political figures to announce the launch of the new front.

"Equal citizenship, the right to health, the right to education, the right to a minimum wage and fair trials are among many of the points to be included in the bill of rights," said labour activist and member of the Revolutionary Socialists Mohamadein.

"The revolution's goals are being forgotten and hence there is a need for this front," said April 6's Maher.

According to Abdel-Fattah, membership in the new front will only be open to individuals, even if many of them belong to a particular political group or party. The front should provide a centralised and democratic body that can hold together a network of individual activists and movements, he explained.

Student activist Wesam Atta, a member of Justice and Freedom Youth, said that a meeting will be held Saturday to accept membership proposals and form committees within various governorates.

The front already includes leading members of April 6, the April 6 Democratic Front, Strong Egypt Party, the Revolutionary Socialists and the Justice and Freedom Youth.

Egypt’s military led a coalition of political forces in removing the Brotherhood's Mohamed Morsi from the presidency in July, after mass national protests against the former elected president.

Source: http://english.ahram.org.eg/News/82400.aspx

[Hafiz]

Nice sentiments particularly transitional justice (if they mean the South African version).

Unfortunately these urban middle classes policies have little reach and their leaders even less country organization or support.Oddly their policies are light on economic growth, jobs, food, educational reform etc. As Bill Clinton would say: 'It's the economy stupid'. Maybe they don't want to win just posture with virtuous policies.

The only country wide organizations which have either the votes or the muscle are the army and the brotherhood and the former has no policies, other than protecting its economic interests. The latter has comprehensive policies which it failed to/was prevented from, implementing.

The next election will probably return to normal with the army and its puppets holding power in the same way as they have for 60 years. They have a good chance of achieving this because they are the only nation-wide organization left standing, they have cash for votes and are a dab hand at intimidation. They will also use censorship.

As an aside, some west commentators are saying that the brotherhood have been disabled by the arrests of its leaders. As this story goes, one of the strengths of the brotherhood to date has been its hierarchical structure and self discipline. With the removal of the leadership this may have left them in the very unfamiliar position of having to use initiative and personal initiative has never been a strong suit of the brotherhood.

[Mad Dilys]

The Soviet Union had a good grasp on it's citizens for about 60 years as a military communist and therefore non religious based regime. Hmmmmm

[Mad Dilys]

Double Hmmm Chairman Mao and his troops held sway in China for how long - 60 years?

I wonder am I reading too much into this?

[Who2]

Like it or not terrorism actually does get results, the proof of the pudding is in it's results....
Ps: I'm pretty sure Nelson Mandela didn't get banged up for nicking sweets, bet he gets a sainthood...

[A-Four]

As the good doctor points out above, one man's terrorist, is another man's freedom fighter, if you do not believe me,..............ask the baby Jesus, when you get 'up-stairs'.