Analysts doubt Egypt army’s commitment to smooth transition of power

CAIRO - Although Egypt’s army rulers have promised that they would eventually hand over power to an elected government to establish stability in the country, many political analysts are of the opinion that they lack the vision or will to transform the most populous Arab nation into a vibrant democracy.

Following President Hosni Mubarak’s resignation after 30 years of autocratic rule, the military had said it was committed to observing Egypt’s international treaties, a pledge welcomed by Israel, which was concerned about the status of its 1979 peace agreement with Cairo, the Los Angeles Times reports.

During Mubarak’s rule, no popular civilian leaders or independent political parties were allowed to emerge, and his departure has left a political void. Many analysts believe that the army may try to maintain their authority in the country.

Post-Mubarak Egypt could follow the path of the Muslim countries like Turkey and Indonesia, where the army remains strong but democratic reforms have flourished. Or it could go the way of Pakistan, where military and intelligence services hold the levers of power, the paper said.

The paper quoted Jon Alterman, Director of the Middle East program at the nonpartisan Center for Strategic and International Studies in Washington, as saying that the military’s commitment are unclear.

“They’re not comfortable in politics. But they’re not comfortable with what an open political system would look like,” he said.

Ammar Ali Hassan, a political analyst and former Egyptian military officer, said the army was considering adding civilians to its supreme council, but added that neither political activists would allow the military to keep power, nor foreign allies will accept it.

“Now the army needs to come out with a statement that would include a time frame as to when exactly it will cede power,” he added. (ANI)