The Bouazizi Effect

Yassine Poli

Even though the Egyptian name their revolution: January 25th revolution, its first manifestations’ origins come from a series of young Egyptians immolations, since the beginning of January 2011, expressing their disapproval of the standards of life of the majority of the people of Egypt, the inequalities in the country, the lack of freedom, police brutality, and also to demand an equal distribution of the country’s wealth.

« The Facebook effect » : Just as the Tunisian case, Internet, with its multiple uses, played an important role in the outbreak of the Egyptian revolution of 2011. Sure enough, social networks such as Facebook and Twitter helped the democracy and human rights activists in Egypt significantly towards organizing, starting and managing these insurrectional movements that destabilize the region.

Everything started on January 25th 2011 after a call made on Facebook by a group of young internet users: April 6th Movement. Yet, as under any authoritarian regime, and since the first days, the protests were violently repressed by the law enforcement forces, and the internet and mobile communications were cut in the whole country.

The Egyptian authorities felt the dangers that the Qatari channel Al Jazeera represented to the reign of the former Egyptian president Mubarak, and tried to close its offices in Cairo since January 27th 2011. Despite this measure that intended to prevent internet users and journalists from doing their job, thousands of Egyptians took the street once again on January 28th, during what they call “Friday of Anger”.

« I had no intention to run in the presidential race anymore.» : After 31 years in power, at the age of 83, during his first address of January 29th 2011, the former president pulls his trump cards. While he tried to seduce the Egyptian people by deposing the government and appointing a vice-president, their response was clear: they stood their ground and occupied Tahrir Square starting from January 29th 2011, the very day he pronounced his first address. On February 1st 2011, UN talked about 300 dead, 3000 injured and hundreds of arrests, all victims of the violent repression of the protesters.

« Ma’arakate Eldjimal / The battle of the camels» : February 2nd and 3rd 2011 were the most disturbing days of these protests. As a response to the occupation of Tahrir Square by the protesters, the Baltajiya (thugs, henchmen or policemen in protesters’ disguise) and supporters of Mubarak attacked them on camels, using sticks and stones. The clashes lasted for two days, and the toll reached 6 dead and 836 injured. That event demonstrates very well the vileness of the primitive policy of that dictatorial regime.

The following days were full of huge mobilizations against the regime. The number of protestors reached hundreds of thousands, all gathered, day and night at Tahrir Square, or in the other large cities. The 6th, 7th and 8th of February was Vice-president Omar Suleiman’s, who tried in all ways to begin a dialogue with the opposition and the representatives of the protestors of Tahrir Square. It resulted into a total fiasco.

« Press release n° 1 » : Just as the old days of the Arab-Israeli war in the 60s and 70s, the Egyptian army goes back to the press releases’ method, regarding the critical situation in Egypt. It justifies its intervention by will to protect the nation. In the other hand, Mubarak reminds his citizens that he won’t go for the presidential run anymore, as he promised, but affirms that he will pursue his mandate until its end, which means until September 2011. Therefore, protestors at Tahrir Square wave their shoes and still demand his departure.

Dropped by the Americans and hiding in Sharm el-Sheikh, the former president decides to give up office. It is Vice-president Omar Suleiman who declares it on February 11th 2011. So, after 3 weeks of protests and enormous popular mobilizations, the army takes the lead, until democratic elections are held. In Tahrir Square, as well as all other regions of the country, there was a burst of joy amongst the population, following the announcement of Mubarak’s departure. According to the Egyptian ministry of Health, the toll of the January 25th revolution, published on February 16th, reached: 365 dead and 5500 injured.