There are also signs that other countries, which have not known genuine democracy are also on the brink of experiencing the people's revolution. The Tunisian Jasmine Revolution has set the tone. The political, social and economic realities of the Middle East have been altered. We are hopeful that the "Front of January 14" which is a front formed and led by the left parties of Tunisia will not allow this to be just another revolution in vain. The revolution should not start and end with people taking to the streets. The people should enjoy the fruits of their uprising and sacrifices. It should not be about replacing one looter with another. There should be a complete change in the political, social and economic structures.
The people are rising because they feel their interests are not being taken care of. The lack of democratic space and unfair distribution of resources has given room to these uprisings. The Egyptians and Tunisians are taking charge and not allowing the elite to act and decide on their behalf. They have seen what can happen if you allow such a situation to prevail, where you just vote and seat back. It is not like the Egyptians are not aware that elections are due in September. They have lost confidence in elections because they say, "this is the revolution of the people who are hungry; this is the revolution of the people who have no money against those with a lot".The events elsewhere in Africa have obviously made them see elections as a farce. Ivory Coast, Kenya, Gabon etc being good examples. There is now a stalemate in Ivory Coast even after the people have spoken. What the Egyptian state, Parliament and judiciary have failed to carry out on behalf of the people is now being carried out by the people themselves. It debunks the myth that only the state, Parliament and judiciary are the only arms that provide for checks and balances in government.
