The main topics overwhelming opinion pages are the recent incidents in the Sinai and the seemingly never-ending discussion on the draft constitution. In some commentaries, some writers question the political independence of the prosecutor general, noting that whoever opposes or supports him simply makes a mess of his judicial position that theoretically stands free of political bias.
The sadness from the east
Emad Al-Din Hussein
Al-Shorouk newspaper
The recent incidents in the Sinai scare Hussein. Looking at why the soldiers left their posts, the writer believes there must be compulsory factors behind the troops’ unprofessional behaviour. Considering the poor security situation in Sinai, it is not the time to point fingers at the presidency, the government or other institutions, in Hussein’s view. The main challenge that needs to be faced is treating Sinai residents as an integrated part of the population.
The columnist points out at Mubarak’s regime that contributed to the uneasy feeling accompanying Sinai Bedouins while dealing with other Egyptians. We shouldn’t follow the same paths while neglecting earlier violations of human rights carried out against Sinai locals.
The starting point of effective solutions in Sinai is putting an end to all meaningless statements and focusing on healing the sore relations between Sinai Sheikhs and locals in Egyptian governorates. Hussein voices his disappointment with the situation in Sinai and asks how the area can return to stability when revolutionary powers fail to bring them into the fold. Without exaggeration, the situation in Sinai is seriously hazardous.
The prosecutor general is not a political position
Amr Al-Shobaki
Al-Masry Al-Youm newspaper
Both sides opposing or supporting the prosecutor general confuse his judicial position, which should be independent of any political pressure, argues Al-Shobaki. The political analyst denounces the prosecutor general’s reception of a delegation of politicians, which apparently came to his office to officially announce their support of him. Al-Shobaki finds the move unacceptable, as it indirectly implies that some political groups deal with the prosecutor general as a political position, undermining his judicial role. Many falsely perceive the prosecutor general as a person with bias against political Islamists.
Even those who oppose Abdel Meguid Mahmoud contribute to the problem, according to the writer. They appear on the opposite side of his supporters, making his position eligible for political conflict.
The prosecutor general is a legal position and the first lawyer of the Egyptian people. It cannot be acceptable that Mahmoud would be inclined towards a certain political wing. His strength should stem from his independence. Thus, calls to dismiss the prosecutor general are without legal justification, according to Al-Shobaki. To conclude, Egypt is in a dire need to a prosecutor general who cannot be dismissed by the president or any political group.
Egypt will not be built by addicts
Mohamed Abdel-Moniem Al-Sawi
Al-Watan Newspaper
With a great deal of pessimism, Al-Sawi, a member of the Constituent Assembly and ex-member of parliament, forsees a dark future for Egyptians. While he foresees a formulation of a modern constitution and an end to the ongoing debate around it by the end of this year, he boldly claims that Egyptians will not achieve any progress or prosperity afterwards.
Al-Sawi is confident that regardless of any temporary satisfaction accompanying the post-constitutional parliamentary and local council elections, Egyptians will inevitably join him in his initial conclusion.
The core issue according to Al-Sawi is not with the constitution, but with the entire culture to which the broad populace of Egyptians have become accustomed. He sees no place in Egypt for lazy employees and masses of young people doing nothing apart from smoking shisha and cigarettes which constitutes the starting point towards complete narcotic addiction.
He slams the common concept whereby an average citizen justifies addiction as a means for oblivion and an escape from the trials of daily life. Disrespecting the human mind can be accepted no longer by Al-Sawi, who dreams that the day will come where the most creative and hardworking will be situated at the top of the decision making hierarchy in every institution in the country.