The Muslim Brotherhood announced that it is considering running its own candidate in upcoming presidential elections, dropping its previous decision to refrain from direct participation in the race. Mahmoud Hussein, the Brotherhood’s general secretary, said the group has been “forced to consider the option of fielding a candidate from its own ranks,” adding that the SCAF is working behind the scenes to persuade presidential candidates to reject offers of Brotherhood support. “When we reach out to some people, they either refuse because they feel they are not up to the mission or they come under pressure from the military council,” Hussein said.
ELECTIONS:
1) The Muslim Brotherhood announced that it is considering running its own candidate in upcoming presidential elections, dropping its previous decision to refrain from direct participation in the race. Mahmoud Hussein, the Brotherhood’s general secretary, said the group has been “forced to consider the option of fielding a candidate from its own ranks,” adding that the SCAF is working behind the scenes to persuade presidential candidates to reject offers of Brotherhood support. “When we reach out to some people, they either refuse because they feel they are not up to the mission or they come under pressure from the military council,” Hussein said. [al-Arabiya, English, 3/22/2012]
2) The Muslim Brotherhood’s dismissal of presidential hopeful and former leader Abdel Moneim Abouel Fotouh was “against its customs,” according to one of the group’s former deputy supreme guides, Mohamed Habib. “Aboul Fotouh did not violate the ideology or methodology of the group, but he went against a regulatory decision,” Habib said, adding that the Brotherhood’s decision to expel him “sent a negative message to the public about what the Muslim Brotherhood might do if it came to power.” Young Brotherhood members and several FJP MPs have already publicly backed Fotouh, defying the group’s orders to wait for its official endorsement. [al-Masry al-Youm, English, 3/22/2012]
3) Islamist presidential candidate Mohamed Selim al-Awa accused an unnamed “rival” of offering money for signatures in support of al-Awa to tarnish his reputation ahead of the presidential election. Al-Awa claims the rival deployed volunteers to campaign for al-Awa in and around Cairo using cars with loudspeakers and offered LE50 for people to sign in support of his candidacy. [al-Ahram, English, 3/22/2012]
CONSTITUTION:
4) The Alliance of Egyptian Revolutionaries has called for demonstrations on March 23 and 24 to protest “farcical” rules governing formation of 100-member assembly tasked with drafting the new constitution. The revolutionary coalition has demanded that parliament reverse its recent decision requiring that half of the 100-member constituent assembly be drawn from among sitting MPs. [al-Ahram, English, 3/22/2012]
ECONOMY:
5) An IMF team was due to leave Cairo on March 21 without securing an agreement over a $3.2 billion loan, held up by disagreement between Islamist MPs and the cabinet. The Muslim Brotherhood and Salafi Nour Party announced on March 21 that they will not support a loan until the government clarifies its plan for economic reform. [AP, English, 3/22/2012]
6) The SCAF is reportedly studying the possibility of converting the Taba port – primarily used for tourism and private yachts – into a commercial port. [al-Masry al-Youm, Arabic, 3/22/2012]
7) Tens of workers in Cairo’s Ramses railway station have been striking since 6 a.m. on March 21 to demand their bonuses, bringing trains to a halt. [al-Ahram, English, 3/22/2012] [al-Masry al-Youm, Arabic, 3/22/2012]
8) Minister of Industry and Trade Mahmoud Eissa said that the government is “not at all considering” reconciling with former regime figures currently detained in Tora prison, saying that such reconciliation cannot occur without “political and popular will.” [al-Masry al-Youm, Arabic, 3/22/2012]
Photo Credit: Al-Arabiya
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