Humairaa Mayet | 26 June 2019 | Image: The Globe Post
The slow and systematic murder of Mohammed Morsi, the former and only democratically elected president of Egypt, is in violation of a multitude of laws and principles enshrined in the legislature of the African Union (AU).
Speaking to Salaamedia’s InayetWadee, Dr Ahmed Jhazbhay – researcher and senior member of the Media Review Network – explained that the AU is a “paralysed” organisation which has failed to convict those guilty of Morsi’s murder. Wrangling within the AU coupled with the intervention from colonial powers renders the AU “toothless” in matters such as the killing of Egypt’s only democratically elected president.
General Abdel Fattah el-Sisi, current president of Egypt, has repeatedly violated AU principles in his rule of the North African country, stated Jhazbhay. Yet ironically, he is the leader of the AU at present. el-Sisi’s actions, such as the jailing of approximately 60 000 political prisoners, are in clear transgression of AU mandate, but he has called for the suspension of Sudan from the organisation, even though he has carried out atrocities of a similar nature.
The African Cup of Nations (AFCON), a football tournament, is presently underway in Egypt and is serving as a distraction from the murder of Morsi, claimed Jhazbhay.
“Let us not be mistaken – it is a murder that happened in Egypt.” In the weeks leading up to his death, Morsi was systematically denied medication and treatment for his illnesses; diabetes and kidney disease. Jhazbhay explained that the Egyptian government opted for “slow murder” as opposed to immediate execution, which would have sparked protests and turmoil.
Egypt plays an important role in the geopolitical sphere with allies in the Middle East and North Africa as well as the West. Western states condone despotic regimes such as those of el-Sisi for their own gains, stated Jhazbhay. The Egyptian government fits the Euro-American agenda, ensuring safety for the illegitimate state of Israel and the House of Saud.
el-Sisi’s regime is unconstitutional under AU legislature, yet little can be done to oust him. He ruthlessly jails his opponents and all those who challenge or critique his leadership.
