The Cry For Political Freedom In The Arab World

Spontaneous Response to Political Crises in Tunisia

The spontaneous response to the political crises in the Middle east has exposed the fragility of political regimes in the world. Nobody would have believed it if it was mentioned that the regime of President Ben Ali of Tunisia was going to end so soon into 2011. well, he had not stayed very long in power. 

What started as a street protest gathered momentum and led to the ouster of the regime. Initially, the government thought that they would disperse after staying on the streets for some time. However, the people had other ideas.

There was no visible leader of the protesters and no plans to execute. The response was spontaneous, the chant was electrifying; Ali must GO!

And Ali fled the country into the arms of Saudi Arabia. 

But, what of President Hosni Mubarak of Egypt?

President Hosni Mubarak of Egypt

President Hosni Mubarak has ruled Egypt for almost 30 years and was poised to be re-elected later this year for another term in office. However, the Egyptians, having learnt and witnessed how the regime in Tunisia collapsed, had other ideas. 

The political flood that started sweeping everything on its path passed through Egypt through the spontaneous response of the Egyptians and things started changing very fast.

At the beginning, President Hosni Mubarak thought he could bluff his way through the crowd of protesters,but, his threats were not considered an issue. Next, he came with some concessions that included the resignation of his son as one of the leaders of his party and his anointed successor but the people disagreed. 

He also promised not to seek reelection when his position became vacant in September this year but no show. Egyptians wanted President Hosni Mubarak to GO immediately.

And he left.

Two days before he left, he made a defiant statement that he would not be forced to give up power in Egypt and that everybody should wait for him to hand over power in September. This speech increased the resolve of the people to see him go immediately. And he left after handing power to the military for the protesters had no visible leaders or plans to take over the government.

Now President Hosni Mubarak has gone but he is not resting. His assets and those of his family members have been frozen by the Egyptian government who have also asked other countries where they also have assets to freeze them. The spontaneous response of the people has won one more battle.

Libya Is Boiling

Libya is still boiling. Libya is at war with its people. Colonel Muammar Gadaffi has turned against the people he is supposed to be leading. Even Libya, as we used to know it politically, has changed with large chunks of the territory going into the hands of the tribal chiefs who are not answerable to Gadaffi anymore.

Time shall tell what will happen there but I know that however and whatever the outcome, the Middle East as we know it, has been massively changed and henceforth, the leaders will take the people serious.

Other Middle East Arab Countries

Other countries in the middle east are undergoing one form of political reform or the other as a result of the spontaneous response of the people. All of a sudden, the people of the middle east now count to their governments. The governments will no longer take the people for granted. Trust me on this.

After all said and done, it is the people that give legitimacy to their governments and the governments should do well to reflect and protect the interests of the people.

The Cry For Freedom

There are loud cries for freedom all over the middle east and both the people and their governments are listening and making adjustments and concessions. 

Will this cry for freedom catch on in other countries outside of the middle east and inhabited by non-Arabs?

Only time will tell.

Meanwhile, the cry for freedom in Tunisia and Egypt has given rise to the death of governments and ascension of new ones in whatever guise. Will the people be satisfied with their governments and stop their cry?

Only time will tell.

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