DUBAI/TUNIS, April 14
The armed forces of Algeria and Sudan, which pushed out the long-serving rulers of the countries after mass protests, are following a script that has failed millions of Arabs since the 2011 uprisings.
The “Arab Spring” upheavals raised hopes of political and economic reforms in countries such as Egypt, armed forces chief effectively brushed President Hosni Mubarak aside when it became clear that the security forces could not contain the street protests against the veteran leader.
A military council took charge, overseeing a turbulent transition during which Egypt’s first democratic elections took place. Two years later, army chief General Abdel Fattah al-Sisi led the overthrow of Egypt’s first freely elected president, Mohamed Mursi.
“What I think caused uprisings in 2011 and what’s causing them now in Sudan and Algeria is the politics of deception: when the president says I won by 85 or 99 per cent in the elections, but wherever you go, everyone disapproves of him,” said Mohammed Alyahya, a Saudi political analyst.
Sudan appears to be following the Egyptian model, at least for now, after long-serving leader Omar al-Bashir was overthrown in a military coup last week after sustained protests. The new head of Sudan’s military council, Abdel Fattah al-Burhan Abdelrahman, said on Saturday that a civilian government would be formed.
Pressure for change
A chant among the Sudanese was “either victory or Egypt” — a reference to their objection to following the script.
Algeria’s Army Chief Lieutenant General Ahmed Gaed Salah declared the ailing Bouteflika (82) unfit for office when he attempted to extend his fourth term. In a matter of days, parliament named a new interim leader who was part of the ruling elite, the army expressed support for a transition and a date was set for a presidential election — providing what analysts say is political cover for the army, a long-time kingmaker in Algeria.
Any future civilian leader in Sudan or Algeria needs the support of the army, while facing huge economic and political challenges. — Reuters
from The Tribune http://bit.ly/2P9xUBD
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