By Thomas Murphy
Impunity Watch Reporter, Middle East
CAIRO, Egypt – Egypt’s military has seized control of the country and forced President Morsi out of office. Adly Mansour, the Chief Justice of the country’s top court, has been sworn in as the interim president.
The events of the last four days unfolded rather quickly. Initially, protesters began gathering in Tahrir Square on the night of Thursday, the 28th, for planned weekend protests in opposition of President Morsi. By Sunday, protesters across Cairo and the entire country reportedly numbered in the millions.
On Monday, General Abdel Fattah al-Sisi, the highest ranking Egyptian military officer, gave President Morsi a 48-hour ultimatum to come to an agreement with the protesters and opposition parties or face military intervention. Morsi balked at the ultimatum and refused offers from the opposition to negotiate until offering a last second plan for a coalition government that the military and opposition leaders saw as too little, too late.
The military’s ultimatum carried with it a 5:00 P.M. Wednesday deadline. When the deadline passed, the military began deploying armed forces around Cairo and detaining key Muslim Brotherhood political officials including President Morsi.
In a statement posted on the Egyptian Presidency Facebook page, Essam El-Haddad, Egypt’s national security adviser called the on-going situation “a full military coup.”
Late Wednesday, opposition leader Mohammed ElBaradei and religious leaders made a televised a statement regarding the military’s future plans for the government according to the state news agency. The military’s road map provides for a brief period of rule under a civilian leadership council followed by new presidential and parliamentary elections. However, it has not been made clear exactly when elections will take place.
Cheif Justice Mansour was sworn in before the Constitutional Court on Thursday and addressed the public. He emphasized that the Muslim Brotherhood were still a part of the people and would not be excluded.
“I swear by God to uphold the Republican system and respect the constitution and law… and safeguard the people and protect the nation,” he said. “[…] Nobody will be excluded, and if they responded to the invitation, they will be welcomed.”
To the contrary, Egyptian authorities have ordered the arrests of Muslim Brotherhood leaders and officials. At least a dozen have already been taken into custody including Saad El Katatni, leader of the Muslim Brotherhood’s Freedom and Justice Party, and President Morsi, who is under house arrest.
For further information, please see:
Al Jazeera – Top judge sworn in as Egypt interim president – 4 July 2013
Al Jazeera – Profile: Egypt’s interim leader Adly Mansour – 4 July 2013
Washington Post – Top Muslim Brotherhood officials ordered arrested as Egypt appoints interim president – 4 July 2013
BBC – Egypt army deployed amid Cairo tension– 3 July 2013
New York Times – Before Protests, Morsi Takes Critics Head On – 27 June 2013
