By Ali Al-Bassam
Impunity Watch Reporter, Middle East
CAIRO, Egypt — In an unforeseen move last Sunday, Egyptian President Mohammed Morsy discharged the country’s top military officials, the Commander-in-Chief of the Armed Forces and Minister of Defence, Field Marshal Hussein Tantawi, and his Chief of Staff, Lieutenant General Sami Anan. Morsy said that his decision to relieve the two officials was “for the benefit of this nation.”
Morsy also appointed his Vice President, Judge Makhoud Mekki, the former Deputy Chairman of the Cassation Court. He is the second vice president to be named in Egypt in 30 years.
In a statement read by official presidential spokesperson Yasser Aly on state television Sunday, Morsy also announced the cancellation of the supplementary constitutional powers declaration which gave the military legislative powers and budgetary control as well as the right to oversee the drafting of a new permanent constitution. He also announced the removal of several other high ranking military officials and named their replacements. According to Aly, the president will issue a new constitutional decree that “allows him to exercise full presidential powers.”
The army has not challenged Morsy’s decision to replace Tantawi. State media quoted a military source saying there was no “negative reaction” from within armed forces. In Cairo, thousands gathered overnight in Tahrir Square to express their support for Morsy’s move. “The people support the president’s decision,” said the crowd. Others mocked Tantawi’s departure, which was officially presented as a retirement. “Field Marshal tell the truth, did Morsy fire you?” they said.
Morsy defended his decisions late Sunday night, denying that his motivation was to marginalize individuals or institutions by abolishing provisions granting broad powers to the army and retiring Tantawi. He said all these decisions were for the interests of Egypt.
“The decisions I made today were not aimed at certain people and had not intended to marginalize institutions, and it was not my purpose to restrict freedoms,” said Morsy. “I did not want to send negative messages about anyone, but my goal was to serve this nation and its people,” he said while hailing the work of the armed forces. “I want them to concentrate on their mission, protecting the nation,” he said. Morsy stated that he acted “to ensure that we move towards a better future with a new generation and a long-awaited new blood.”
For further information, please see:
Al Bawaba — Morsi: Changes in Army Leadership Serve Egypt Interest — 13 August 2012
BBC News — Egypt President Mursi Explains Army Chief Replacement — 13 August 2012
Al Jazeera — Egypt’s Morsi ‘Empowered’ by Army Shake-up — 12 August 2012
Daily News Egypt — Morsy Assumes Power: Sacks Tantawi and Anan, Reverse Constitutional Decree and Reshuffles SCAF — 12 August 2012
