Egypt is in a state of emergency with people bracing themselves for more bloodshed as the Muslim Brotherhood call for a nationwide “millions’ march of anger” and the security forces warn they will use live rounds in self-defence or if government buildings are targeted.
Cairo has fallen quiet after yesterday’s crackdown on Islamist protesters by security forces which ended with the deaths of at least 421 people.
A state of emergency has been called after at least 421 people were killed in “major military assault” to clear the Muslim Brotherhood protesters from the two makeshift camps they have occupied in Cairo since the ousting of Mohamed Morsi.
A functioning state and pride in this functioning state is as much part of the Egyptian identity as the rest. It is precisely this compact of pragmatism, pride and aspiration that need to be understood to make sense of recent events.
Egypt’s first try at democratically elected governance was thwarted by power grabs and poor management of this most populous Arab nation. The country is now trying again.