Anti-Mubarak group plans protest to mark anniversary

Cairo: In an apparent bid to refute claims its power on the street has dwindled, Kefaya (Enough), a group which vociferously opposes President Hosni Mubarak's policy, plans a massive demonstration this month to mark its fifth anniversary.

"This demonstration will commemorate the first protest staged by the group in December 2004 to condemn attempts to establish a dynastic republic in Egypt," said Abdul Halim Qandil, the Coordinator-General of Kefaya. "We seek to infuse fresh vigour into the street after the security agencies have tightened their grip on them," he told Gulf News.

Fears

Kefaya, a loose umbrella of liberals, secularists, Islamists and leftists, has been campaigning against alleged plans by Mubrarak to hand over power to his younger son Jamal. Mubarak, 81, has not designated a successor and has yet to say if he will seek a sixth term when his current tenure expires in 2011.

Both have repeatedly denied claims of hereditary succession. Kefaya welcomes all political parties and activists to join this demonstration, which will be held outside the headquarters of the Press Syndicate on December 12, said Qandil.

He expressed fears that police will prevent activists from outside Cairo from joining the demonstration, which will be entitled Egypt is not Private Property.

Kefaya has recently joined an alliance of opposition to the alleged father-son succession in Egypt. "We are trying to mobilise the largest number of people to join this demonstration despite fears that the security forces will block all entrances to Cairo to stop protesters coming from outside the city," said Qandil.

The group, which takes credit for breaking a long taboo in Egypt by staging political protests, has lost its influence due to internal divisions, say analysts.

"This is not true. Kefaya is as influential as it was at the time of its birth," said Qandil, who was elected the group's chief more than a year ago. Kefaya continues to be a rallying point for different political powers and a catalyst for democratic change in Egypt.