According to inside sources, members of the SCAF were unaware of what was taking place and learned from the televised broadcast. If that was the case, why has the SCAF not reacted yet? Every time a serious shift takes place the SCAF normally calls an emergency meeting. Many are speculating that the SCAF may have indeed had something to do with Morsi’s announcement. As one activist pointed out to me, “When is the SCAF not involved?”
Rumors have circulated that Tantawi and Anan may be under house arrest, but according to Morsi’s spokesman this is not the case.
All this takes place a week after a border attack in Sinai that killed 16 Egyptian soldiers. Last week, unidentified masked gunman dressed in Bedouin clothes -- supposedly members of Global Jihad -- stole two APCs (Armed Personnel Carriers) using RPGs and explosives. They then drove the APCs into the Rafah-Sinai crossing -- where Egypt, Israel, and Gaza intersect -- firing at IDF (Israeli Defense Force) soldiers. One of the APCs were shot down reportedly by an IAF (Israeli Air Force) helicopter, while the other exploded.
The bodies of eight gunmen, of the thirty-five involved, were found on both Israeli and Egyptian borders. The attack was one of the bloodiest in years, showing the growing lack of security on the borders between territories.
There’s a high possibility that this incident may have triggered Morsi’s sudden announcement, due to the SCAF’s lack of response on the incident. Many Egyptians saw the SCAF behind the attack, as they failed to prevent similar attacks in the Sinai in the past year. Some analysts believe this was Morsi’s intention all along but this became a perfect opportunity to sack the SCAF sooner rather than later.
On the contrary, the nullification of the constitution addendum puts both legislative and judiciary powers in the hand of President Morsi as well as constitution writing, which has some activists feeling uneasy. Rightfully so, as there should be a system of checks and balances to correct the president’s powers so it does not turn into a dictatorship again. I may have never underestimated Morsi, but I would not put too much faith in him just yet. With power comes great responsibility; many will abuse power when handed to them -- it’s the nature of politics. Egyptians should be weary of the Muslim Brotherhood frankly, an organization vying for power for decades is not going to take things so lightly. This act may put further rifts between the Islamists and leftists, not to mention supporters of the old regime or “felool.” Until a proper constitution is not set up, there is no telling which direction Morsi plans to take his presidency, but for now most are seeing this as being in the right direction. The battle has only begun.
By Holly Dagres, Aslan Media Columnist
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