A revolution not in power but one to hold power accountable

The pain has increased in Egypt. Admittedly, most Egyptians should have adapted to “The Revolution” Mode by now. Many have never lived through one and little did they know it would still be ablaze a year later. Those who thought it was all done after the first 18 days with the fall of the head of the regime have suffered more than the many who expected a much longer struggle. Nevertheless, all Egyptians have in the most part survived while displaying signs of stress trauma and anxiety. A year later the wound is still open and bleeding in the hopes the light will become brighter and stronger.

The unpredictability of events in any given day and the continuous loss of innocent lives in recurrent brawls with the police force have shaken Egyptians in unexpected ways. A mere few days into the second year of the Egyptian revolution and amid heightened demonstrations and the remobilization of millions protesting dissatisfaction with the rulers of the transition, the final straw came. As Egyptians raged over the criminal events at the Port Said Stadium that left more than 70 young soccer fans dead and another 300 wounded, the deep pain it inflicted on the nation has refueled not only the energy of the revolution but could begin to produce possible signs of unity. This one triggered off yet another angry and violent cycle with the security forces. This time, a newly elected Parliament was there in time to meet its first challenge. Following reports confirming the football incident was deliberate and preplanned, a parliamentary fact-finding mission has failed to produce the real culprits yet. What is certain is the pressure from the angry streets continues to yield concessions from the rulers. The last droplet was to start the candidacy for the presidency on March 10, 2012.

Saturday marks the day when Mubarak finally announced a year ago that he was giving up his powers to the ruling military council. In a revolution that had assumed the immediate power of the nation, Egyptians could have been recelebrating an amazing achievement even louder than they did on that day in 2011 when the ruler fell. So far, there has been insufficient change. The reality that all have been grappling with to date is that this is a revolution not in power but one that is holding those in power accountable. As the power games and struggles continue to take their toll on Egyptian lives, they also make more Egyptians more determined to get the demands for freedom and justice met. A national call for a general strike has again split the nation. Those in power are going to great lengths to discourage support for it. To date 36 universities have announced they are on board. As the media is used to create panic and fear, the callers are poised, determined and say this is only the first step that could continue to escalate to national civil disobedience.