The Muslim Brotherhood has yet to take a clear position on former head of the International Atomic Energy Agency Mohamed ElBaradei’s intention to run for president in Egypt in 2011.
Neither, Mohamed Badie, the Brotherhood’s Supreme Guide, nor any of the high ranking members of the group have declared whether they will support ElBaradei or whether they have reservations about his political platform.
When Saad El-Katatny, head of the Brotherhood bloc in the parliament attended the meeting between ElBaradei and other political activists, he declared that his participation was “personal and that he didn’t represent the movement.
Theoretically, the Brotherhood should support ElBaradei, not only in retaliation against the Mubarak regime, but also because he recognizes the Brotherhood’s right to be integrated in political life and to establish a political party. At the same time, the movement’s leaders are wary of taking such a position lest the regime decides to eradicate the movement socially and politically as a reaction.
The group’s ambiguous strategy in such situations was a way to protect its survival. In the last presidential elections in 2005, the movement did not publically declare which candidate it will vote for. However, former Supreme Guide Mohamed Mahdi Akef, had instructed members not to vote for Ayman Nour, who was running against Mubark. Thus, rumors had circulated that MB had a deal with the Mubarak regime which Akef didn’t deny recently.
During the last five years the Mubarak regime suppressed the Brotherhood ruthlessly. Nearly 25 members have been sentenced to prison terms in a military court. Recently, five members of the Guidance Bureau were arrested. Nevertheless, the movement continuous to keep silent and to refrains from challenge the regime.
Supporting ElBaradei should be a crucial choice for the Muslim Brotherhood for many reasons. First, ElBaradei isn’t Ayman Nour, whom the movement does not trust. He also has a courageous and ambitious platform for the democratization of Egypt.
Second, ElBaradei has shown interest in engaging the Muslim Brotherhood under the umbrella of civic state. And if the movement remains hesitant in supporting him, this might confirm negative allegations about their ideas and political discourse.
Third, and most importantly, ElBaradei, might be a good tool for the Brotherhood to rebuild its relationship with other political actors.
Finally, he might open a new window for the Brotherhood to strengthen its political stance and to improve its public image.
In short, if the Brotherhood learns from history, they should support ElBaradei in his bid for the next presidential elections, not because he might win, but at least as a card to play against the Mubarak regime.
Khalil Al-Anani is an Expert on Middle East Politics and a Ph.D candidate at the Institute for Middle Eastern and Islamic Studies, School of Government and International Affairs at Durham University.
