Clashes in Egypt continue as protesters vent disillusionment

Deutsche Welle, 24 July 2011  

Protesters have been gathering in
Tahrir Square for weeks

Many in Egypt are dissatisfied with the military transitional government, accusing it of Mubarak-era tactics in suppressing dissent. The most recent clashes in Cairo are evidence that the revolution may not be over.

Hundreds of protesters remained camped out in Tahrir Square in central Cairo on Sunday after a night of violent clashes with supporters of the ruling military transitional government.

Health ministry officials said 231 people were injured when police fired tear gas and protesters loyal to the Supreme Council of the Armed Forces (SCAF) hurled stones at their rivals during clashes in the Abassaya neighborhood.

Many from the anti-regime group then joined others at Tahrir Square, the center of the mass movement that ousted President Hosni Mubarak in February.

Meanwhile a man was killed and four were wounded on Sunday when police and soldiers exchanged fire with men attacking a police station in the port of Ismailia. At least 50 people reportedly attacked the police station with the goal of freeing a prisoner arrested on theft charges.

Leaders in the military government have accused the protesters in Tahrir Square of sowing instability in Egypt at a time when it is struggling to transition into a more free and democratic society.

'Wedge between the people and the army'

Field Marshal Hussein Tantawi, head of the SCAF and former defense minister under Mubarak, said in a television address on Saturday that the council would work toward a free system through democratic elections and a new constitution.

Military leader Tantawi has promised
democratic reform

But the military leaders accused the pro-democracy group the April 6 Youth Movement of "driving a wedge between the people and the army."

The April 6 movement, formed over Facebook in solidarity with a planned workers' strike in 2008, released a statement denying the military council's accusations.

"We used to think that the revolution changed matters for the better, but we were filled with sadness after this statement was issued," it said.

The military has come under increasing pressure from Egyptians disillusioned with the results of the anti-Mubarak revolution. The government is accused of rights abuses and using Mubarak-style tactics to quash dissent.

Since July 8, a number of protesters have been camping out in Tahrir Square, demanding that former regime officials be brought to trial, military trials of civilians come to an end and Mubarak officials be ousted from senior government posts.

Author: Andrew Bowen (AFP, dpa)

Editor: Ben Knight