Corrupt authority in Egypt and the inevitability of the revolution

Egypt may be unique in modern history as an example of a state governed by a corrupt elite and tyrant authority. Corruption has struck almost every state institution, from the top to the bottom of the hierarchy. The uncovering of recent corruption cases was a necessity in order to put a veneer of respectability over the military government, but there is no doubt that any leadership of any aspect of government in Egypt must be corrupt in order to stay in power. This was evident in the appointment of the new prime minister, about whom I have written before regarding the gas deals that violated and wasted the rights of Egypt and the Egyptians to a dignified life. These deals exhausted national resources in an unprecedented manner.

Those monitoring events in Egypt are probably shocked, not least at the arrest of Hamdi Al-Fakharani, who is accused of being the cause of charges being filed against Egypt in international bodies. As such, the government now fears for the atmosphere conducive to investment in the country, because any Egyptian investor with a foreign dual-nationality can file a lawsuit in international courts and Egypt could be fined millions of dollars, which happened in the case of Waguih Siag in Sinai.

Now Egypt is being taught a lesson in the world economic system since the Egyptian judiciary does not govern foreign investors and so international law has more authority than state law. There is no doubt that any foreign investor can win any international dispute as long as the law and the administrative backwardness in Egypt continue to clash.

It is interesting to note that during its year in government, the Muslim Brotherhood’s officials were not involved in a single corruption case anywhere in Egypt. The coup-led government was unable to prove any corruption despite the fact that the movement’s members were under round the clock surveillance by Egyptian intelligence. Given the obstacles put in its path by the deep state remnants in the intelligence services, army, police, judiciary and media, the movement made measurable improvements in the lives of the citizens. Even the enemies of the Brotherhood admit to this. Such progress included supplies of essentials, self-sufficiency in wheat production and introducing modern databases for the first time by using smart cards for the distribution of bread and petrol.

We can conclude from the issues which see the light of day that corruption in Egypt is actually intended and allowed to spread. No force can affect the links and relationships of this corruption. It has become a doctrine adopted by the military leadership in Egypt in order to control the corrupt leaderships. In intelligence terms, this is known as controlling the client, as there can be no leadership out with the control of the military council. The same occurred during the time of Gamal Abdel Nasser in order to control senior officials.

Corruption in Egypt is occurring under international auspices because it undoubtedly causes the decline of the national economy. As such, it is very important as far as international forces are concerned in order for the Egyptian economy to remain enslaved to their control.

There is no doubt that corruption destroys economic foundations and increases the gap between rich and poor in society. Nevertheless, corruption will push Al-Sisi and his military council to destruction. They are following in Hosni Mubarak’s corrupt footsteps but they have not learnt from his disasters. The government will, therefore, collapse; it is a long-awaited inevitably. With equal inevitability, the revolution will continue and succeed in its aims.

Translated from Arabi21, 14 September 2015.

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