Today, the Muslim Brotherhood candidate, Mohammed Morsi was officially announced the next president of post-Mubarak Egypt, sparking a firestorm of excitement on Twitter and Facebook.
Tahrir Square is alive with celebration at the moment. Fireworks are lit, despite it being daytime in Cairo. Men are crying and hugging each other. People in Tahrir Square are now anxious about about how the new consitution will be written, and by whom. The Square is alive with anti-military chants, who the protesters believe will try to control some branches of the government under Morsi's administration.
Meanwhile, supporters of Ahmed Shafik, the former senior commander of the Egyptian Air Force and former prime minister, are distrought. My sources indicate that Shafik supporters were seen smashing chairs in a fit of rage by his campaign headquarters in El Doki, a neighborhood of Cairo near Tahrir Square.
Morsi's victory over Shafik, who worked under former President Hosni Mubarak's oppressive regime, signals a favorable result for Egyptian protesters. Not only have the people rid their government of the old regime, they have also taken one step forward toward the first democracy in Egypt's modern history.
Tweets display a variety of opinions about Egypt's uncertain future.
Journalist Joseph Dana comments on the positive changes Egypt has made when it elected a President from a formerly banned political party.
A deeply divided country now has a divisive leader from a formerly banded political party. Smooth sailing ahead. #Egypt
— joseph dana (@ibnezra) June 24, 2012
Activist Dima Khatib express concerns that Morsi's presidential powers will be limited by the ruling Supreme Council of Armed Forces, following last week's announcement.
Military Ruler of Egypt just congratulated Morsi for winning the presidency ... Oops.. he is OFFICIALLY not ruler of Egypt any more though !
— Dima Khatib ??? ???? (@Dima_Khatib) June 24, 2012
Activist Salma abu El Maged remains skeptical about the future under Morsi. She says, "For me, the #President is guilty until proven innocent. Stop chanting. You've destroyed the country #Egypt #Morsi."
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— Salma abu El Maged(@salma_007) June 24, 2012
Journalist Adam Kary writes how a confrontational crisis was avoided with Morsi's victory.
Now that a #Morsi win puts an end to the violence we feared was coming in the case of his defeat, what's next #Egypt? Never a dull moment...
— ???(@adamakary) June 24, 2012
In March, the United States commended the ruling of the Supreme Council of Armed Forces (SCAF) last year for the “transfer of legislative authority to the new People’s Assembly” and for promising a democratic transition after the new president is elected. America's largest concern is maintaining strategic relations with an “Egypt made stronger and more stable by a successful transition to democracy.” An Egypt that abides by the U.S. regional interest would be less likely to launch an attack on Israel and would be more favorable in the eyes of the State Department.
For now, the Egyptian people are enjoying a well-deserved celebration after more than a year since the first days of the Revolution.
