Egypt has generally been seen as a peaceful country. However, this was only up to the end of the reign of President Hoshi Mubarak. The fall of the president lead to demonstrations and clashes in Egypt which resulted in the military stepping in, to try and maintain some form of democracy. At that point, the military were seen as an ideal form of authority for Egypt until a proper constitution and government thereafter was in place to lead the country.
However, a few months down the line and the situation seems to have worsened. Fresh clashes have arisen in Egypt following the reluctance of the military to uphold democracy in the country. The clashes originally begun as peaceful demonstrations against the draft constitution that was about to be passed by the military, but later became chaotic. The constitution gives too much power to the military force in Egypt. The idea of a country that might be run by the military is not in line with the democracy so many in the land seek. Thus, pro-democracy groups and youths went out to demonstrate against this peacefully.
The peaceful demonstrations in Egypt were over as soon as they had begun. The military was on hand to disrupt the demonstrations. This quickly turned into clashes that went on for more than three days. The violence was severe with military force being released on the people of Egypt. Images and videos of people being beaten mercilessly by the military are all over the media, showing the depths people will go to for democracy.
The clashes in Egypt have seen fatalities and several more injured. The military beat people in the streets, some of whom are innocent and caught in the wrong place, and some who just wanted to voice their opinion about their country’s politics. The reaction by the military makes many people wonder about the democracy that prevails in Egypt or the lack thereof.
Several leaders around the world have reacted negatively and with anger to the display by the military in Egypt. It is nothing short of horrific seeing images of military officers beating and stomping on people who were simply demonstrating for democracy.