The Random Ranting of a Weird Teenager

Whatcha up to Egypt?

So I'll be making another one of these later on today, but I did all this research two weeks ago and I hate for it to go to waste.  Practically all of this I had to find information about on the internet, and it's accurate to the best of my knowledge.  There's only so much google and bing can do, am I right?  Basically, this is just explaining what's been going on in Egypt, because I was awfully confused with them.  

SO IF YOU DON'T LIKE POLITICAL SCIENCE OR HISTORY SKIP THIS ONE AND GO ONTO THE NEXT!!!!!  

Egypt and Their Presidents (1970-JULY 7TH, 2013 )

      Anwar al-Sadat became the president in 1970 following the death of president Nasser who collapsed and died shortly after.  Anwar was the Vice-President of Nasser.  During his presidency, he expelled the Soviet Union as an ally due to their unreliable nature.  On October 6th 1973, the military struck back against Israel.  Though short-lived, this attack created a relief of sorts between Israel and Egypt as they both continue for peace.  He finally established peace in 1979.  He was assassinated on October 6th, 1981.  He was a part of the Arab Socialist Union (Anwar al-Sadat http://www.ibiblio.org/sullivan/bios/Sadat-bio.html)

            After Sadat’s assassination, Sufi Abu Taleb stepped in as acting president (number days are unclear-they all said differently.  I’d imagine it was only for a week.)  Taleb was the Parliament speaker from November 4th, 1978 to November 4th, 1983.  He was a part of the National Democratic Party.  Also, he died in 2008 (Zeinobia; http://egyptianchronicles.blogspot.com/2008/02/rip-sufi-abu-talab-3rd-president-of.html)

            Next in line was Hosni Mubarak.  He was selected to serve Sadat’s vice president.  He was actually sitting next to Sadat when Sadat was killed by the Muslim extremists.  As president, he was very influential in the Middle East.  He supported the treaty with Israel and U.S. efforts in that area, including the Persian Gulf Crisis.  Within the country, though, Mubarak had much resistance.  Many of the people didn’t like his restrictiveness.  Mubarak survived two assassination attempts.   In 2011, pressure increased on Mubarak to step down.  Protestors crowded the streets of Cairo, wanting democratic reform and the end of his presidency. And because we all know that force is always the answer, Mubarak attempted to silence the protests with force, killing several civilians.  Since we love sticking our noses in, Barak Obama and other leaders offered their support to the protesters.  After weeks and weeks of intense pressure, Mubarak resigned on February 11, 2011.  April 2011 they were taken into custody with the charges of abuse of power and corruption, among many other charges in which Mubarak suffered a heart attack during questioning.  For the remainder of his trial, he stayed in the hospital.  On June 2nd 2012, he was sentenced to life in prison for his role in the murders of pro-democracy demonstrators.  In prison he suffered a stroke and was moved to a military hospital where his current health status is unknown.  He, too, is a part of the National Democratic Party (2013 A+E Networks http://www.biography.com/people/hosni-mubarak-37061)

            After Mubarak resigned, the Supreme Council of the Armed Forces stepped in.  They served as acting head political party from February 11th 2011 all the way until June 30th 2012.  They’re the military in case you’re bad at context clues.  As far as I understand it, imagine the military as a mixture of the military and big corporation.  They own a butt load of land and factories that they use soldier to work in (free labor).  Their military structure is completely different from ours.  Not to mention the Egyptian Armed forces are the largest in both Africa and the Middle East.  They’re actually the 10th largest in the world.  Between April and May of 2012 the first free presidential poll happened. 

            And in comes Mohamed Morsi as the first democratically elected president in Egypt’s history on the 24th of June, 2012.  Morsi was only narrowly ahead of Mubarak-era Prime Minister, Ahmed Shafiq.  May 2012, military leaders announce the end of the state of emergency that was in place since Sadat’s assassination in 1981.  Random fact, Morsi was actually arrested several times under Mubarak’s regime due to various protests.  After the elections were announced, Morsi retired from the Muslim Brotherhood as he promised during his campaign.  Although Morsi is Egypt’s fifth president, he is the first president who is outside of the military.  Morsi acted quickly once he got in office.  He fired a few of the army’s leading officers.  Wanting more power, Morsi pretty much said that the constitution had no hold on him.  He could act outside of the Constitution.  He was beyond even the judges until Egypt made a new constitution.  Not very shockingly, this made the people outraged.  Due to his bold power grab, members of the country’s courts went on strike and some of Morsi’s own advisors quit their jobs.  July 2013, millions of protesters crowded his palace, demanding his removal from office.  And like all other power hungry individuals, he refused.  Finally on July 3rd 2013, Morsi was officially kicked out of office by Egypt’s Armed Forces.  Morsi is of the Freedom and Justice Party (2013 A+E Networks http://www.biography.com/people/mohamed-morsi-20862695)

            And then the lovely Supreme Council of the Armed Forces stepped in once again.  This time their reign only lasted for a day before they got someone else in office.

            And, finally, we’re to Adly Mansour who was put in office on July 4th, 2013.  He is Egypt’s new interim and incumbent president.  Interim: temporary.  Incumbent: necessary for or resting on someone as a duty, holder of an office.  Mansour is the Chief Justice of the SCC (Egyptian Supreme Constitutional Court).  The SCC general assembly approved of Morsi’s appointment of Mansour as Chief Justice on May 19th, 2013.  Which is something I don’t get… at all.  If you wanted to remove someone from office, wouldn’t you go against anything he wants?  If was about to be kicked out, I would try and put someone so I could still have a voice once I was gone.  Obviously Mansour hasn’t had time to screw Egypt over even more.  Time can only tell though.  He is of an independent party (Who is Adly Mansour, Egypt’s New Interim President? Marwa Farg   http://muftah.org/a-short-bio-who-is-adly-mansour-egypts-new-interim-president/)

Political Parties of Egypt

Freedom and Justice Party: As far as I know, it’s an Islamist political party and the most post popular party in Egypt.  It has strong links to the Muslim Brotherhood, the largest political group in Egypt.  The brotherhood wants to instill the Qur’an and Sunnah.  They are known for political violence. 

National Democratic Party: Founded by Sadat.  It’s a centrist party. 

Arab Socialist Union: Founded by Nasser (president before Sadat).  It pretty much promoted nationalism and constitutional reform.

I don’t know how good these definitions are.  It’s just what I’ve gathered from reading all of these articles. 

I also got info from http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-africa-13315719

 PLUS ALL THE OTHER ONES UP THERE.  SORRY IF I DIDN'T SITE MY SOURCES CORRECTLY, I JUST KINDA GUESSED ON HOW TO DO IT.  ALSO, IF ANY OF THE INFORMATION IS WRONG, PLEASE TELL ME AND I'LL CORRECT IT.  THIS IS JUST ALL I COULD FIND ABOUT IT PRETTY MUCH.  THE ONLY HELP I HAD OUTSIDE OF GOOGLE AND BING WAS MY DAD WITH THE DEFINITIONS.  THANKS DADDY!