Egyptian President Given 48 Hours to Satisfy Demands

Egyptian military has issued Mohamed Morsi his last chance

By: Viviane Fairbank, staff writer

Photo courtesy of Brooklyn Museum

Egypt’s military has given the nation’s president a 48-hour ultimatum to meet the peoples’ demands, following the largest protests in the country since the overthrow of autocrat Hosni Mubarak in early 2011, according to CBC News.

The military’s statement, which National Public Radio claims to have found a transcript of, was read on Egyptian state television Monday. It declares the nation’s national security to be at risk and describes the ultimatum as Mohamed Morsi’s last chance to reconcile with the demands of the people.

Although the military says that it does not seek a role outside of the democratic framework set by the people, it also declares that, if Morsi does not satisfy, it will impose its own roadmap for the country.

This provocation by the Egyptian army, issued on the first anniversary of Morsi’s government, is the second to have been released in the past two weeks.

CBC News reports that Morsi has vowed to keep his position, despite the millions of protesters nationwide whose organizers vow to demonstrate until Morsi’s resignation.

Morsi, the first president of Egypt since the fall of Mubarak, has long been under pressure by the military, the Egyptian people and political parties for his rule and his affiliation with the Muslim Brotherhood.

His rule began in June 2012 with tensions with the Egyptian military, who have been strong political proponents in Egypt since the overthrow of the monarchy over 50 years ago.

In its early months, Morsi’s presidency saw him ordering the retirement of top military leadership from the Mubarak era and canceling the military’s previous constitutional decree, which gave generals sweeping power and limited the president’s rule.

2013 has been crammed with extensive declarations from both sides, warning of what may transpire if Morsi and the Egyptian military do not come to a resolution.

Morsi has been challenged by the Egyptian military. Demonstrations against Morsi’s rule by the nation’s citizens have been frequent over the past year, evoking millions of protesters across the country and numerous acts of violence.

Sunday’s protests saw 16 deaths and about 800 people injured, according to CBC News.

The second day of protests were accompanied by the resignation of five Egyptian ministers, says Al-Jazeera, in sympathy with the protesters asking for Morsi’s resignation.

Al Jazeera quotes Morsi’s statement on Sunday: “I believe we can come together and find a way that builds our country,” and “engage in national dialogue.”

But with nothing specific or original to promise his people in time of protest, it is possible that Morsi’s rule may, once again, soon be over.

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Photo From Brooklyn Museum