The Egyptian street has shaken the regime, the region and the world to their core. Everyone was taken aback by the January 25 movement of anger and till today, international reaction has been confused and wobbly to say the least. The events unfolding in Egypt have occurred so fast it's become very difficult to keep up. Actions of ordinary Egyptians in the coming days, hours even, will shape the future of their country and of the region.
People's frustrations stem from years of economic stagnation and endemic corruption. Their chants in Tahrir Square, which has become the hub of these protests, focus on unemployment, police brutality and poverty. The youth want change and not the kind that has been suggested by the existing leadership.
These protesters have succeeded in isolating the Egyptian regime, which has responded by firing the cabinet and putting a vice-president in place for the first time, intelligence chief Omar Sulaiman. For the majority of them, the sacrificing of government ministers and talk of reform is too little too late. And if the people continue to march in the streets then Egypt will become an open-ended crisis.
Already, there are alarming reports coming out of the main Egyptian cities like use of gas and rubber bullets and even live ammunition against civilians. And the absence of police has given looters a free reign, pushing ordinary people to form neighbourhood patrols. The latest figures show more than 100 people killed and thousands injured as a result of the current unrest. Having said that, there is no indication whatsoever that protesters will stop their marches. The Egyptian authorities have to find solutions that will satisfy the people's wishes. Even if it means giving up the National Democratic Party altogether, the people's needs and demands have to come first. Saving Egypt far outweighs anything else.
