By Abdel-Rahman Hussein and Heba Fahmy
CAIRO: Sinai was always a hotspot during the reign of the previous regime, but as the post-Mubarak era starts there appears to be a more binding unity amongst its people as they face their uncertain future.
“The security apparatus of the previous regime used to use the rule of ‘divide and conquer’ when dealing with Sinai, especially the Bedouin tribes,” Arish-based activist Ashraf El-Hefny told Daily News Egypt, “but the people in Sinai have become a lot more united than before.”
And not just on a social level. El-Hefny along with his colleagues in North Sinai all submitted a mass resignation from the Tagammu Party when its leader Refaat El-Saeed, decided to enter negotiations with former Vice President Omar Suleiman. They were joined by others from the Wafd Party as well as members of the Muslim Brotherhood and Salafist groups to form a coalition titled “The Committee to Protect the Revolution.”
However not all are part of this newfound if temporary sense of unity permeating the Peninsula. “There are those who are affiliated with the old regime who are still trying to sabotage the revolution but their influence has diminished considerably,” El-Hefny said.
Additionally, policemen from the area protested in front of the main police station in Al-Arish Tuesday, repeating a scene that happened all over the country as policemen protested against their superiors in the interior ministry.
The armed forces have stepped in to fill the void left by the regime, and residents in Sinai seem to be more receptive of the army as opposed to its predecessor. However, political activists in Sinai still insist that the demands of the revolution be met, which includes the transition to free and fair elections and civilian rule.
Another former Tagammu Party member who resigned along with his colleagues, Khalil Jabr Sawarkeh told Daily News Egypt, “Sinai is still burdened by the centralized mode of thinking. Now the army is important in Sinai for national security and regular security here. It has begun to play an important role here and is coordinating with community leaders.”
As the army has stepped in to fill the role of the previous regime, it seems clear that the vestiges of that regime are more unwelcome in Sinai than other parts of the country, as residents of the peninsula have long complained of the unfair treatment they received at the hands of the state, especially its security arm.
“Since the army is the only authority in the country now, we see no value now in the governor or any other authorities connected to the old regime. We must now focus on achieving all the demands of the revolution,” El-Hefny said.
