afrol News, 3 March - Protesters from Cairo's Tahrir Square again are jubilant as Egypt's Prime Minister Ahmed Shafiq. The new PM, technocrat Essam Sharaf, was on the protesters' list of proposals.
"Hurray to the power of the Egyptian people; bye-bye Shafiq," a jubilant Mona Seif celebrated just minutes after Egypt's ruling military council had declared the change in government. Ms Seif is one of the most profiled protesters at Tahrir Square.
The resignation of Mr Shafiq comes after renewed protests on the central Cairo square had called for more profound change in the power structures of post-revolutionary Egypt. Especially Prime Minister Shafiq was seen as a symbol of the old Mubarak regime, conserving its old power structures.
Indeed, protesters had planned for yet another mass mobilisation on Friday, directed towards the Shafiq government and with a call for more radical change in the country. The pressure against Mr Shafiq was becoming too high.
Protesters in Tahrir Square have called for more profound change, especially in government and among the security forces, while the transition process prepares for democratic structures and elections. Especially the police forces, vital in suppressing the Egyptian protests, are still causing popular anger.
Egyptian protesters meanwhile have improved their organisation. A "Coalition of Young Revolutionaries" is among the groups now pressurising the military council and civilian transition government. The groups want to assure that the transition process has popular participation and leads to a true democracy.
Among the main demands of these popular pressure groups has been the establishment of a transitional government of non-biased technocrats to make sure the power structures of the old Mubarak regime cannot regroup and prepare a takeover of power following the planned elections.
Consequently, the pressure groups are satisfied with the military council's choice of a new Prime Minister. "Essam Sharaf, the new PM, was on our list of suggestions for a technocrat government," Ms Seif assures from Cairo. Mr Sharaf had been with the protesters at Tahrir Square, Ms Seif adds.
The new Prime Minister indeed openly had declared his support for the Egyptian protesters in the earlier days. Mr Sharaf is a former Transport Minister, but was a strong critic of ex-President Hosni Mubarak after leaving his government post in 2006. He is also a professor of engineering, according to the Egyptian newspaper 'Ahram'.
Prime Minister Sharaf is expected to lead a much closer dialogue with the popular groups that stood behind the massive protests. His appointment could indeed assure that the post-revolutionary Egypt succeeds in creating a new course, co-decided by the people.
Ms Seif, meanwhile, says she will participate in tomorrow's protests at Tahrir Square. There, "I will celebrate the kicking out of Shafiq and remind the new Prime Minister of the remaining demands of the 25 January movement," she insists.
Revolution is a process. In Egypt, the revolution goes on and on, peacefully but yet powerful.
afrol News - It is called "financial inclusion", and it is a key government policy in Rwanda. The goal is that, by 2020, 90 percent of the population is to have and actively use bank accounts. And in only four years, financial inclusion has doubled in Rwanda.
afrol News - The UN's humanitarian agencies now warn about a devastating famine in Sudan and especially in South Sudan, where the situation is said to be "imploding". Relief officials are appealing to donors to urgently fund life-saving activities in the two countries.
afrol News - Fear is spreading all over West Africa after the health ministry in Guinea confirmed the first Ebola outbreak in this part of Africa. According to official numbers, at least 86 are infected and 59 are dead as a result of this very contagious disease.
afrol News - It is already a crime being homosexual in Ethiopia, but parliament is now making sure the anti-gay laws will be applied in practical life. No pardoning of gays will be allowed in future, but activist fear this only is a signal of further repression being prepared.
afrol News / Africa Renewal - Ethiopia's ambitious plan to build a US$ 4.2 billion dam in the Benishangul-Gumuz region, 40 km from its border with Sudan, is expected to provide 6,000 megawatts of electricity, enough for its population plus some excess it can sell to neighbouring countries.
front page
| news
| countries
| archive
| currencies
| news alerts login
| about afrol News
| contact
| advertise
| español