There is now not the slightest ambiguity about the direction in which Egyptians want to go. People power has prevailed; the call is for freedom, fair elections and democratic government.
For the Egyptian people to preserve their revolution from internal and external enemies, if they are to achieve a real democracy, they must ensure that their revolution is safeguarded against being stolen, hijacked or kidnapped, and believe me there are so many scenarios and opportunities in the days, weeks and months to come for this to happen.
All concerned people need to watch for the implementation of the statement made by the people revolution of January 25, 2011. The following components of the statement must be carried out, immediately, as soon as possible or scheduled with definitive dates.
- The lifting of the state of emergency law.
- The release of all political prisoners.
- The abolition of the constitution and its amendments. (done!)
- The dissolution of the parliament (done!) and similar assemblies and councils, national or local.
- The establishment of a presidential council of five people, only one of them from the military. None of the five members will not be eligible to run for the first free and fair upcoming presidential election. The four civilians, their patriotism unquestioned, are to be chosen based on consensus of the leaders of the revolution.
- The formation of a transitional government, made of independent, qualified and patriotic members. The government will not include members with any political affiliation or party loyalty. The government will administer the nation's affairs and prepare for the general free and fair elections to be held at the end of the transition period, a period not to exceed nine months. The members of this transitional government will not be eligible to run in these first free and fair elections for the office of the president or parliament seats.
- The formation of an original assembly to write a new democratic constitution, modeled after the most revered democratic constitutions, and in line with the international covenants of human rights. The new constitution will be subject to a referendum by the people within three months of the declaration of the formation of the assembly.
- The freedom to form political parties, with no conditions or restrictions, only a notification, based on civic, democratic and peaceful principles, is required.
- The freedom of information and exchange of information.
- The freedom to organize unions and civil society institutions and organizations.
- The abolition of all military and higher courts and all decisions and sentences rendered by them affecting civilians' rights.
- Most importantly, the military must hand power to the people and make a public and unequivocal acknowledgment that power resides with the people, that it fully adopts all decisions and demands of the revolution, and that it is completely aligned with the people. A good start would be for the military to present a meaningful roadmap outlining the transition period timetable, they need to include the people of the revolution in putting together the roadmap, and they need to do that by Friday, February 18, 2011 or people will take to the streets again.
Long live Egypt
Hussein
© Dr Hussein A Amin 2011
