CAIRO: Internal conflicts among members of the Kefaya movement for change have resurfaced as the deadline for electing a new general coordinator approaches, with Abdel Halim Qandil’s tenure coming to a close this month.
Tensions are boiling as Qandil, the movement’s current general coordinator, is adamant on retaining his seat for another year, while some of the movement’s other leaders highlighted the importance of electing a new chief.
“I want to stay another year, Qandil told Daily News Egypt, “but if someone wishes to run against me then it will have to come down to the coordinating committee.
He said the committee will decide whether to allow him to stay another year or choose another general coordinator, adding that it will need to reach a final decision soon.
Kefaya members are scheduled to elect a new coordinator by Jan. 14, 2009.
However, Qandil faces opposition from Kefaya’s former coordinator and current assistant coordinator George Ishaq.
“There is no room for argument when it comes to choosing a new general coordinator because it is part of practicing democracy, Ishaq told Daily News Egypt.
“The movement’s guidelines stipulate a one-year tenure only, he continued, “that is an issue that’s always reiterated during the coordinating committee’s meetings.
However, Qandil denied Ishaq’s claims, saying that Kefaya doesn’t have regulations that specify a certain term period, but it is rather a “custom that turned into a tradition.
“A general coordinator can retain his position for two consecutive one-year terms, like Abdel Wahab El-Messiri who passed away during his second term, he said.
Qandil took over in December 2008 after Abdel Gelil Moustafa who had stepped down. Moustafa was pressured into taking over by Kefaya’s leaders to avoid any internal conflict.
Qandil is the movement’s fourth general coordinator since its inception in 2004. Its first coordinator was Ishaq, followed by Abdel Wahab El-Messiri and Abdel Gelil Moustafa.a.
