- EGYPT
- November 10, 2017
- 4 minutes read
Gamal Heshmat: Egypt 2018 Elections a Farce; Opposition Must Unite to Expose Sham Democracy
Gamal Heshmat, Muslim Brotherhood senior leader, said: "Any unilateral participation in the upcoming presidential election in Egypt is a shameful recognition of the military coup, lending it legitimacy the junta failed to attain by the coup or by massacres and treachery… But for specific reasons, groups that reject or oppose military rule can coordinate purposeful participation".
Heshmat added: "Each faction must declare its principled position without attempting to knock anyone who wishes to run. Such coordination in positions and distribution of roles should be focused to expose the coup and its fake veneer of legitimacy by showing how the junta’s elections are fraudulent in the presence of an honest competitor. Hamdeen Sobhi did just that in the last elections.
"We know for sure that there is no chance of real elections in the shadow of a military coup, monopolization of all state authorities, and forced support for a candidate who proved his failure in all fields except in the implementation of the enemies’ agenda and serving their interests at the expense of Egyptian identity, national dignity and the homeland’s wealth and natural resources. Personally, I would certainly not encourage anyone to run in elections against this murderer who has set up everything to get the result he wants."
Heshmat ruled out reconciliation with the Muslim Brotherhood, similar to reconciliation between Hamas and Fatah, saying: "The situation in Egypt is different from Gaza, and Hamas’ position is different from the Muslim Brotherhood’s in Egypt. There are differences in all aspects, including strategic, tactical, policy and communication capabilities. Hamas has influence that has weakened a lot for the Muslim Brotherhood after the coup, with the junta targeting the group in every possible way inside and outside Egypt. So, I’m ruling out reconciliation right now.
"Reinstating legitimacy is essential for a return to the democratic process in a way that allows everyone to participate. Here, some say President Morsi’s return to power is impossible, but I do not think so – in the framework of an agreement and vision that I wrote about and published a year ago under the name of "Time to Wake Up", for reasons which I explained – from my point of view: a return in which President Morsi is honored for his unique steadfastness which helped carry the spirit of the January 25 (2011) Revolution with great momentum until now. That also is a return where two actions are to be completed: a) an executive step to undo or repeal all that was done after the coup, and b) a presidential election on terms that all national forces discuss and agree upon."
