By ANNE BEATRICE- CLASMANN Deutsche Presse-Agentur
CAIRO — The majority of Egypt’s approximately 73 million inhabitants have known no leader other than 78-year-old Hosny Mubarak.
Coupled with persistent rumours that his son Gamal is preparing to succeed him as president, critics have been prompted to speak derisively of the "Egyptian monarchy."
Twenty-five years ago on Friday, October 6, a group of three Islamists shot and killed Egypt’s former president Anwar alSadat, who was reviewing a parade in Cairo. Mubarak, then vice president, was beside Sadat on the reviewing stand. A week later he was officially appointed president.
No festivities are planned to mark the 25th anniversary of Mubarak’s accession to power. On the contrary, it almost seems as though Mubarak’s ruling National Democratic Party (NDP) wants to make as little fuss as possible.
"The party hasn’t planned anything special for the day," said Mohammed Kamal, an NDP spokesman and member of Gamal Mubarak’s reform wing.
Mubarak, who was decorated for his role as air force commander during the 1973 Yom Kippur War against Israel, has successfully prevented serious unrest and the total collapse of the ailing economy. But he has failed to bring the two biggest problems under control: radical Islamism and high population growth.
As a mediator in regional crises, Egypt’s president has become a useful partner for Western countries, who return the favour in the form of financial aid, arms deliveries and development projects.
After 25 years with Mubarak at the helm, however, Egyptians are grumbling louder than before. Objects of their ire are rampant corruption, insufficient government services, rising prices, high youth unemployment and security forces unable to stop terrorist attacks on tourists, which occur at least once a year.
The opposition, leftists, liberals and Islamists, report constant attempts by the government to intimidate them. Police often club demonstrators. Members of the Muslim Brotherhood, who hold about 20 per cent of the seats in parliament, can disappear behind bars at any time.
Martial law, imposed after Sadat’s assassination, remains in effect. Human rights organisations say it restricts free speech and is responsible for dubious judicial decisions.
Mubarak broke new ground last year by allowing a multi-candidate presidential election. He previously had himself confirmed without opposition in referendums. However, his electoral opponents, one of whom has since been sentenced to five years in prison for having allegedly forged documents, said the election campaign had been too short and not fair. Mubarak won 88.6 per cent of the vote. Turnout was low.
No one knows whether Mubarak will serve out his fifth term in office, which ends in 2011. Nor does anyone expect him to go voluntarily.
"Governing Egypt is a very difficult task considering how limited the resources are and how fast the population is growing," Mubarak said several months ago.
He added: "It’s not easy to govern Egypt, but it’s not easy to step down either."
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