Africa: June Protests Expected Against Election Candidate and Around Mubarak Verdict

31 May 2012
ThinkAfricaPress
By Andre Colling

Political tensions are high as a former PM enters the election run-off and Mubarak awaits his verdict.

The Alliance of Egypt's Revolutionaries has called for countrywide protests on June 1. The protests have been called to denounce the emergence of former Prime Minister, Ahmed Shafiq, as one of the final two candidates contesting the presidential election run-off on June 16-17. The primary demonstration is expected in the capital Cairo. Protesters in the city are expected to march from Fatah Mosque to Tahrir Square and on to the High Court. The starting time of the protest has not yet been announced.

Political tensions are currently elevated following the release of presidential election results on May 28. Muslim Brotherhood candidate Mohammed Mursi and former Prime Minister Shafiq won the most votes following the May 23-24 first round of voting. Numerous activist groups and supporters of losing presidential candidates have been highly critical of Shafiq's involvement in the run-off vote due to his close ties with the Hosni Mubarak and National Democratic Party-led regime, which were ousted following widespread anti-government protests in early 2011.

A number of groups have also openly expressed their disdain of Mursi, who favours the implementation of Sharia law in the future Egyptian constitution. The upcoming demonstrations are expected to attract thousands of people and are likely to be accompanied by a heavy security force presence. Political gatherings by other political and activist groups are also possible in Cairo and other cities throughout the course of the day.

In addition, the verdict in the corruption and murder trial of former president Mubarak is expected on June 2. There is a high likelihood of protests throughout Cairo, particularly in the vicinity of the police academy in the New Cairo area where the trial is being held, following the public release of the verdict. In anticipation of possible unrest, security forces in Cairo have reportedly readied thousands of additional security personnel and armoured vehicles to be deployed to the New Cairo area.

By Andre Colling, Risk Analyst at red24.

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