Why Egyptians are back in Tahrir Square!? 

By Alaa Bayoumi

Protestors have spent their night in Tahrir Square for the second day in a row for the first time in some months since the Jan 25 revolution. They also protested in major cities, such as Suez and Alexandria. Two people were killed and hundreds were injured in clashes last night that galvanized the country.

Egyptian revolutionaries gave up their Tahrir Square stronghold months ago after they failed to gain the support of the large organized opposition groups, secular and Islamists. Large groups opened dialogue with the ruling military and thought that the young youth are divided and too angry.

On Friday, large groups, specially the Muslim Brotherhood and the Salafis, the two main Islamist organized groups, joined some youth groups, such as April 6^th, and other secular parties and groups in calling for protests in Tahrir Square to reject efforts by the ruling military council to limit the authority of the new parliament in drafting the constitution. This is after the interim government put out, about 2 weeks ago, a draft for some constitutional principles.

Some also wanted a clear time line for handing over authority to civilian leadership.

Friday protests were very peaceful. But, clashes yesterday in Tahrir square between the police and some youth changed the situation and galvanized the country.

Obviously, the large groups, especially the Islamists, did not camp in Tahrir Square after the Friday protests. And, it could be difficult to know who was camping there when the police attack took place. But, people are angry because the police has used heavy tactics in cracking down on those camping in Tahrir Square.

The news about the crackdown spread very fast and known activists and political groups condemned it. Some known Salafi, Muslim Brotherhood, and secular activists joined the protests last Friday to show sympathy for protestors and condemn the security crackdown. But, I don’t think there is a call by the large organized groups to continue camping in Tahrir Square despite some individual calls by known activists

Moreover, the events show masses that are more united in their anger with the way the military elite has been leading the country since the revolution. They now want SCAF to step down as soon as possible (this means that SCAF should hold presidential elections in April after the end of the parliament elections, hand power to new parliament and president, and step down)

New plans announced by SCAF about a month ago will keep SCAF in power until a new constitution is written, a process that could take 6 months or more after the new parliament is elected, in session, and has selected a committee to write new constitution.

As people are calling today for more protests in Tahrir and in major cities, it is worth monitoring how their demands will develop and how will military council will respond to them.

So, the story today is about occupying Tahrir Square, more protests around the country, and calls on SCAF to hold presidential elections in April and to step down after that with no delay. And, it is definitely worth watching.

Egypt is a major force in the Arab spring and world and whatever happens in Egypt will have ramifications throughout the Middle East