Egypt: 10 Years of Absence of Freedom, Democracy and Social Justice

Ten lean years have passed since the military coup on the legitimate elected government on 3 July 2013, where the right to freedom, democracy and justice – that Egyptians had long dreamed of over decades and had ultimately succeeded to reach following the glorious January 25 Revolution (2011) – has been denied.

The repercussions of the "black coup decade" is too disastrous to tackle in such a limited statement. However, there are significant signs that characterize this decade, which may be summarized as follows:

• First: the continued bloodshed that has not stopped since the first day of the coup, as this is not limited to the largest mass killing in Egypt's modern history (the Rab’a massacre on August 14, 2013), but has rather continued until now, through the government’s "deliberate" medical negligence in prisons.

• Second: the repression and exclusion that have affected almost all Egyptians, including those who had supported the military coup, as those are now either languishing in prisons of injustice together with tens of thousands of the oppressed, or marginalized and living under threats of the security services, or found themselves prompted to leave their country against their will and live in ‘voluntary exile’ away from their homeland.

• Third: the dissipation of Egypt's historical rights to the Nile waters, and harming the country's water security, due to the "unprofessional" management of negotiations with Ethiopia, which led to the signing of the flawed "Declaration of Principles" in March 2015.

• Fourth: Undoubtedly, this “black decade” has been characterized by hiking prices, poverty, and indebtedness, where its heavy, gloomy legacy will be transmitted to future generations in the form of external debts exceeding $165 billion, and internal debts estimated at EGP 5 trillion, taking into mind that these debts are still escalating, despite the government’s resorting to selling profitable companies and state-owned property to pay off some of them, which confirms failure of the economic policies that the government has adopted and adhered to since July 2013.

These signs are just "fleeting" examples of the repercussions of the "black decade", which necessitates the need to act for saving Egypt and resetting it on the path of freedom, social justice, and economic development, which the glorious January revolution heralded.

The Muslim Brotherhood had declared that it would not struggle for power. Today, we reaffirm this position that takes into account the critical circumstance that our country is going through; and aims to make room for everyone who seeks change in order to save the country. However, this does not mean in any way abandoning our national role. Rather, we affirm our strong commitment to work with all national forces in order to save our country; preserve its institutions, potentials, and soil; achieve sustainable democratic transformation; and fulfill societal reconciliation to renew the spirit of unity and brotherhood among all Egyptians. Also, this position does not mean in any way abandoning our responsibility towards working to solve the issue of political detainees.

On this painful anniversary, we pay tribute to the families of martyrs, who died in defense of the dream they aspired to achieve, for the sake of the glory of their homeland, the honor of its values, and the independence of its will, with the martyr President Mohamed Morsi at the forefront.

We also pay tribute to all the detainees who have been imprisoned for expressing their opinions, including ladies, brothers and sons, from all political and social forces and streams.

We pray to Allah Almighty to return all the missing ones to their homeland and homes in honor and dignity; and we also pray to Him to free all detainees, and end the distress of Egyptians, “And that surely is not hard for Allah” (Ibrahim: 20)

Dr. Salah Abdel Haq

Acting Muslim Brotherhood General Guide

(Monday, 15 Dhul Hijjah 1444 AH / 3 July 2023)