Egypt Liberated from Mubarak's Piracy

by John M. Curtis
(310) 204-8700

Copyright February 11, 2011
All Rights Reserved.                               

               Egyptian President Hosni Mubarak’s 30-year fleecing of his country came to a screeching halt with his designated successor Vice President Omar Suleiman reading a short statement confirming Mubarak’s resignation.  Mubarak’s anticlimactic defiance Feb. 10, telling a national TV audience he would not resign, brought a volcanic eruption at Cairo’s Tahrir Victory Square, where thousands of stunned pro-reform protesters signaled that an angry mob would soon descend on his presidential palace.  When word that Mubarak was perhaps the world’s richest man, a bell went off on the streets that their genteel president was Egypt’s biggest tomb raider.  Mubarak’s hubris quickly transformed into the realization that he must escape Cairo or face a vengeful mob expecting to return Egypt’s riches.  Mubarak departed hastily to his fortified Red Sea, Sinai Peninsula resort in Sharm el-Sheikh.

            Dancing in the streets, Egyptians cheered in euphoric disbelief that an 18-day popular uprising toppled Mubarak’s 30-year reign, inherited when the late Anwar Sadat fell to an assassin’s bullet Oct. 6, 1981.  “In these grave circumstances that the country is passing through, President Hosni Mubarak has decided to leave his position as president of the republic,” said Suleiman.  He has mandated the Armed Forces Supreme Council to run the state.  Gone is our protector and succor,” realizing that his brief stint as vice president was over.  “The country has been liberated after decades of repression,” said Suleiman, not mentioning Mubarak’s unspeakable looting of Egypt’s wealth during his 30-year reign.  “This is the happiest day of my life,” said 68-year-old Nobel Peace Prize laureate Mohammed Elbaradei, who risked life-and-limb to inspire protestors during three tumultuous weeks.

            While Egyptians celebrate in the streets, ElBaradei and his compatriots hope to work with Egypt’s transitional military government to prepare for elections next September.  Law and order must be maintained while the complicated transition process away from authoritarian rule toward some type of representative government takes hold.  Mubarak can run to Sharm el-Sheikh but he can’t hide from the obvious plundering of Egypt’s resources during his reign.  Egypt’s hands are temporarily in the custody of Defense Minister Field Marshal Hussein Tantawi, who must maintain order, and, at the same time, work with Egypt’s budding civilian leaders to implement protesters’ Democratic demands.  ElBaradei wants to restore “legitimacy of the people,” that will necessitate bringing Mubarak to justice.  No dictator can enrich himself at the expense of his people without consequences.

            Mubarak’s sudden reversal had to do with his survival, now very much in doubt once the public realizes how the 82-year-old leader exploited the nation.  Tantawi pledged “to achieve the ambitions of our great nation,” working with ElBaradei and others involved in the peaceful transition to civilian rule.  When the euphoria dies down on the streets, the work of stitching together a transitional government to meet protesters’ demands goes on.  Tantawi reassured protesters that the military was committed “to shepherding the legitimate demands of the people and endeavoring to their implementation within a defined timetable until a peaceful transition to a democratic society aspired by the people.”  Protesters were most concerned initially about deposing Mubark, seen as Egypt’s most despicable criminal.  Leaving office worth nearly $70 billion tells the whole story.

            When Mubarak’s security detail saw tens-of-thousands of protesters marching toward the presidential palace in North Cairo, he knew all bets were off.  Tantawi played a close hand but in the end sided with activists because of Mubarak’s unconscionable track record.  When his estimated wealth was made public, even Tantawi couldn’t continue providing cover.  “We still don’t have any guarantees yet—if we end the whole situation now that it’s like we haven’t done anything,” said protest organizer Addel-Rahman Samir.  Mubarak’s departure helps calm the situation down by achieving the most important goal to protesters:  Getting rid of Egypt’s biggest tomb raider.  Mubarak fled to Sharm el-Sheikh once he saw protesters’ fury when he refused yesterday to step down   Egyptian leaders under the direction to Tantawi and ElBaradei must first reestablish law and order.

            Egypt’s peaceful transition was helped by President Barack Obama’s steady support of the pro-Democracy movement.  While the White House tried to balance its loyalty for a trusty ally, it also sided with protesters’ legitimate demands.  Administration officials recognize the risky process going forward but realized that Mubarak could not stay in power.  Once the military government establishes order and protests recede into the background, the new government must do what’s necessary to regain Egypt’s lost wealth.  No dictator can plunder a nations’ wealth without repercussions.  Fleeing to his Red Sea compound, Mubarak must face the music that he can’t run from arm of justice, requiring a return of Egypt’s lost wealth.  Before Mubarak flees to Dubai or some other sanctuary, Tantwai and ElBaradei convince the fallen leader that it’s not too late for redemption.

About the Author

John M. Curtis writes politically neutral commentary analyzing spin in national and global news. He's editor of OnlineColumnist.com and author of Dodging The Bullet and Operation Charisma.

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