Making way for military rule

Egypt (MNN) ¡ª Political players are making moves in Egypt ahead of April¡¯s elections. Egypt¡¯s interim Prime Minister and his entire cabinet resigned yesterday, reportedly clearing the way for army chief Abdel Fattah al-Sisi to run for President.

Prime Minister Hazem Beblawi didn¡¯t give a clear reason for resigning. However, Beblawi did tell state media that his government essentially started the interim authorities¡¯ recovery process for Egypt by holding a referendum on a new constitution in January.

¡°For the past six to seven months, the government assumed its responsibilities and duties¡­the government did not spare any efforts to get Egypt out of a bad phase,¡± said Beblawi on state television.

¡°This is not the time for personal interests. The nation is above everybody.¡±

Thus far, only short-lived workers¡¯ strikes have taken place throughout the country. But E3 Partners Middle East expert Tom Doyle warns, ¡°Every election, every political move, causes instability, riots, killings.¡±

Doyle agrees with the view of many analysts who believe Sisi is a prime contender for Egypt¡¯s presidency.

¡°I think there¡¯s possibly only one other person that has been named as a candidate,¡± Doyle says, referring to leftist Hamdeen Sabbahi.

¡°I would imagine in the next month that he [Sisi] would be elected the president of Egypt.¡±

Revolutionary chaos

In Egypt, 2011¡äs Arab Spring movement was largely an uprising against Hosni Mubarak¡¯s nearly-30 year military rule. Egyptian youth, tired of tyrannical rule, were desperate for change.

¡°There¡¯s been a military government in Egypt since 1953,¡± Doyle explains. ¡°Military rule tends to be harsh and keep people in line, and enforce rules.¡±

Though strict, Egypt¡¯s military rule typically kept radical religious factions under control, providing relative safety for the Christian population. When Mohammed Morsi came to power in 2012 as Egypt¡¯s first civilian president, the sands shifted.

¡°When Morsi was elected and stayed in power for only one year, the country spiraled into chaos,¡± notes Doyle. ¡°That¡¯s when you had churches being burned to the ground all over [Egypt], nothing being done by the government.¡±

As the Muslim Brotherhood gained an upper-hand through Morsi, persecution of Christians increased throughout the country. At the same time, Egyptians grew increasingly tired of Morsi¡¯s failure to uphold his campaign promises. Grumblings gained strength heading into summer 2013, and in early July a military government led by Abdel Fattah al-Sisi gave Morsi the boot.

Christians became an immediate scapegoat for the former majority party¡¯s rage. A three-month national state of emergency was declared as Muslim Brotherhood protests became progressively out-of-hand.

Many believers have lost their lives in Egypt¡¯s political turmoil. But for those who survive and remain in their homeland, perseverance is paying off.

¡°The great news, in the midst of all this political instability, is that more people are coming to faith in Christ in Egypt now than what we¡¯ve seen in the last 20 years,¡± Doyle notes.

¡°There¡¯s an upsurge in interest and people¡¯s hopes, especially young people.¡±

Back to Square One

Following the resignation of Beblawi and his cabinet, signs seemingly point to the rise of another military ruler.

Holding high rank in Egypt¡¯s military and the outgoing cabinet, SiSi is required to resign from both positions if he wants to campaign for presidency. Aides told ChannelNewsAsia.com that SiSi ¡°has already decided to run and will make the announcement soon.¡±

Pray for believers who may be in danger as a result.

¡°We have believers out there on the frontlines, bringing Jesus Christ to villages and cities every day in the midst of [political instability],¡± Doyle says.

¡°Pray for the national leaders that are going and taking Christ to the unreached.¡±

Find more ways you can help through E3 Partners here.

¡°There are above-ground churches in Egypt, and God really uses them,¡± says Doyle. ¡°We pray for them, we send them support, and we bring them training and all the tools they need to reach Egyptians.¡±

Source: Mission Network News