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Al-Ahram Weekly 17 - 23 June 1999 Issue No. 434 
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Published in Cairo by AL-AHRAM established in 1875 |
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Al-Ahram Weekly 17 - 23 June 1999 Issue No. 434
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| Published in Cairo by AL-AHRAM established in 1875 |
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Egypt Region International Economy Opinion Culture Profile Features Living Travel Sports Time Out Chronicles People Cartoons Letters Our great expectations
By Salama Ahmed Salama
By accepting the nomination to a fourth term in office, unanimously approved by the People's Assembly, President Mubarak has tacitly pledged to lead Egypt into the 21st century -- truly a daunting task.
The small percentage of parliamentary representatives from certain opposition parties who refrained from endorsing the proposal had no effect on the overwhelming majority of supporters, nor on the entire Arab region's endorsement of the president. It would appear that a fourth term of office is desirable, not to say inevitable, given the current circumstances. The abstention, however, was an important signal in its own right. It showed that the democratisation process initiated by Mubarak has already taken large and irreversible strides. Gone are the days when the ruler knew for sure that he would obtain an absolute majority, and the days when the opposition was forced to hold its tongue whenever it begged to differ.
No one can belittle Mubarak's accomplishments, nor understate the obstacles he has overcome with the wisdom and prudence required by the circumstances. Still, the next stage will prove more challenging for Egypt. The country will need to draw on its wealth of experience and knowledge, not rush into modernity or leap into the unknown. A president who, like Mubarak, watches his every step, is capable of making sound and timely decisions in a world governed by rapidly changing laws and standards.
To reiterate: the challenges of the coming phase far exceed any we may have experienced until now. Legitimate expectations and aspirations have been the result of thoroughgoing reforms; Egypt now occupies a central position in the global configuration of power. These are the factors which make it necessary for Mubarak to stay on, if he is to see his efforts come to fruition.
The last part of any race sorts out winners and losers. In the coming stage, we may witness the fulfilment of hopes for freedom, equality and well-being. President Mubarak has already taken several difficult decision in the domain of economic reform, and laid the first cornerstones of democratic rule. Progress, democracy, freedom and partnership must still be achieved, however, if we are to face the future without oppression or fear.
Placing the entire burden of shaping the future on Mubarak's shoulders, however, would be doing ourselves, and him, a gross injustice. Partnership and collective efforts are the means of building strong nations. This is the challenge facing Egypt today and tomorrow.
