Is sacrificing the Brotherhood the basis for reconciliation?

The recent Gulf-Gulf reconciliation seems the most serious out of the attempts over the last two years in an effort to re-organise and re-arrange internal Gulf affairs. The return of the Saudi Arabian, Bahraini and the Emirati ambassadors to Doha reflects a desire to “turn a new page” with the state. However, the reunion that has been imposed by the regional circumstances raises questions, especially in terms of the Egyptian-Qatari issue, regarding the bases and foundations on which it is based and whether they are stable and solid enough to build on.

Egypt’s welcoming of King Abdullah Bin Abdul Aziz’s invitation for Cairo to join the reconciliation seemed to stem from a desire to repay Riyadh after it supported President Abdel Fatah Al-Sisi since he overthrew the Muslim Brotherhood rule. Egypt’s response was in no way due to its conviction that the estrangement and isolation of Doha should end, as Cairo accuses Doha of supporting the Brotherhood as well as the Takfirist groups in Sinai and Libya. The statement made by Egypt did not even refer to Qatar by name. When Al-Sisi was asked about the reconciliation in Rome, he gave a brief answer and put the ball in Qatar’s court.

Doha surprised everyone at the beginning of the month when it took a positive position towards Cairo during the UN Human Rights Council, praising its new constitution. It also took initiative not too long ago and expelled Muslim Brotherhood leaders. Despite the strong setback suffered by his country due to the overthrow of President Mohamed Morsi, the Emir of Qatar, Sheikh Tamim Bin Hamad, was the first to congratulate Al-Sisi, as well as Adly Mansour, before him, on their new roles.

Theoretically, such messages are considered positive signs from an opposing country, however, Qatar’s demagoguery is in no way a solid foundation upon which anything can be built, especially at a time when the media front, in particular, on both sides, are exchanging violent “attacks” sufficient enough to undermine any positive message or indications. Even after the Saudi monarch called on the “public opinion leaders and media outlets” to seek to achieve reconciliation, the bickering on both sides continued.

In addition to this, there have been no updates or actions taken regarding the Al-Jazeera journalists detained in Egypt, except the statement made by Al-Sisi saying that the issuance of a presidential pardon is “under consideration”.

On the Brotherhood front, the Egyptian authorities’ arrest of Mohammed Ali Bishr, one of the most prominent Muslim Brotherhood leaders outside prison, merely hours after welcoming Saudi Arabia’s call to support the Riyadh agreement, raised eyebrows. Although some have linked this measure to the protests planned by the Islamists next Friday, others saw it as a clear message to Qatar that any reconciliation or rapprochement would not include the Brotherhood.

The Qatar-Egypt reconciliation requires more than just good intentions. All eyes are focused on the next Gulf summit to be held in Doha and what signs may appear regarding the foundations for this reconciliation. Will the Brotherhood’s head be one of these foundations?

Translated from Annahar newspaper, 26 November, 2014

The views expressed in this article belong to the author and do not necessarily reflect the editorial policy of Middle East Monitor.