2011 Egyptian revolution
The 2011 Egyptian revolution, also known as the 25 January Revolution (Arabic: ثورة ٢٥ يناير; Thawrat khamsa wa-ʿišrūn yanāyir),[20] began on 25 January 2011 and spread across Egypt. The date was set by various youth groups to coincide with the annual Egyptian "Police holiday" as a statement against increasing police brutality during the last few years of Hosni Mubarak's presidency. It consisted of demonstrations, marches, occupations of plazas, non-violent civil resistance, acts of civil disobedience and strikes. Millions of protesters from a range of socio-economic and religious backgrounds demanded the overthrow of Egyptian President Hosni Mubarak. Violent clashes between security forces and protesters resulted in at least 846 people killed and over 6,000 injured.[21][22] Protesters retaliated by burning over 90 police stations across the country.[23]
2011 Egyptian revolution
ثورة ٢٥ يناير
25 January 2011 – 11 February 2011
(2 weeks and 3 days)
- Democratic election
- Topple Mubarak's government
- Resignation of Hosni Mubarak
- Freedom of expression increases
- Dictatorship imposed since the 1952 revolution ends, transition to democracy begins
- Resignation of Prime Ministers Nazif and Shafik[5]
- Assumption of power by the military as an interim government until elections are held [6]
- Suspension of the Constitution and dissolution of the Parliament[7]
- Disbanding of the State Security Investigations Service and arrest of its head[8]
- Dissolution of the NDP (former ruling party) and transfer of its assets to the state[9]
- Arrest and prosecution of Mubarak, his family and former ministers[10][11][12]
- 31-year state of emergency lifted[13]
- Democratic election to replace Mubarak; Mohamed Morsi elected as new president[14]
- During revolution: 846[15][16]
- Post-revolution: 300+[17]
- See: Deaths section below.
6,467 people[18]
12,000[19]
The Egyptian protesters' grievances focused on legal and political issues,[24] including police brutality, state-of-emergency laws,[1] lack of political freedom, civil liberty, freedom of speech, corruption,[2] high unemployment, food-price inflation[3] and low wages.[1][3] The protesters' primary demands were the end of the Mubarak regime. Strikes by labour unions added to the pressure on government officials.[25] During the uprising, the capital, Cairo, was described as "a war zone"[26] and the port city of Suez saw frequent violent clashes. Protesters defied a government-imposed curfew, which the police and military could not enforce in any case. Egypt's Central Security Forces, loyal to Mubarak, were gradually replaced by military troops. In the chaos, there was looting by rioters which was instigated (according to opposition sources) by plainclothes police officers. In response, watch groups were organised by civilian vigilantes to protect their neighborhoods.[27][28][29][30][31]
On 11 February 2011, Vice President Omar Suleiman announced that Mubarak resigned as president, turning power over to the Supreme Council of the Armed Forces (SCAF).[32] The military junta, headed by effective head of state Muhammad Tantawi, announced on 13 February that the constitution is suspended, both houses of parliament dissolved and the military would govern for six months (until elections could be held). The previous cabinet, including Prime Minister Ahmed Shafik, would serve as a caretaker government until a new one was formed.[33]
After the revolution against Mubarak and a period of rule by the Supreme Council of the Armed Forces, the Muslim Brotherhood took power in Egypt through a series of popular elections, with Egyptians electing Islamist Mohamed Morsi to the presidency in June 2012, after winning the election over Ahmed Shafik.[34] However, the Morsi government encountered fierce opposition after his attempt to pass an Islamic-leaning constitution. Morsi also issued a temporary presidential decree that raised his decisions over judicial review to enable the passing of the constitution.[35] It sparked general outrage from secularists and members of the military, and mass protests broke out against his rule on 28 June 2013.[36] On 3 July 2013, Morsi was deposed by a coup d'état led by the minister of defense, General Abdel Fattah El-Sisi,[37] as millions of Egyptians took to the streets in support of early elections.[38] El-Sisi went on to become Egypt's president after an election in 2014 which was boycotted by opposition parties.[39]
Other names[edit]
In Egypt and other parts of the Arab world, the protests and governmental changes are also known as the 25 January Revolution (ثورة 25 يناير Thawrat 25 Yanāyir), Freedom Revolution (ثورة حرية Thawrat Horeya)[40] or Rage Revolution (ثورة الغضب Thawrat al-Ġaḍab), and (less frequently)[41] the Youth Revolution (ثورة الشباب Thawrat al-Shabāb), Lotus Revolution[42] (ثورة اللوتس) or White Revolution (الثورة البيضاء al-Thawrah al-bayḍāʾ).[43]