Saturday

9th Dec 2023

Sighs of relief as Egyptian leader resigns

  • Euphoria hit the streets of Cairo as Mubarak stepped down (Photo: Sarah Carr)

EU figureheads on Friday (11 February) welcomed the resignation of Egyptian strongman Hosni Mubarak, who stepped down after weeks of street protests and handed over power to the military ahead of elections due this fall.

The news was broken late Friday afternoon by Mr Mubarak's vice-president, himself formerly in charge of the country's intelligence service, renowned for its cruel treatment of suspects, but condoned by the US government due to his "help" with interrogating radical Islamists.

Read and decide

Join EUobserver today

Become an expert on Europe

Get instant access to all articles — and 20 years of archives. 14-day free trial.

... or subscribe as a group

"In these difficult circumstances that the country is passing through, President Hosni Mubarak has decided to leave the position of the presidency," Mr Suleiman said on national TV.

"He has commissioned the armed forces council to direct the issues of the state."

The end of the 30-year long Mubarak regime has not come about easily. More than 300 people are believed to have died in street clashes with police since the beginning of the anti-government demonstrations, on 25 January.

The EU, at the beginning cautious in supporting the popular movement, has since grown gradually critical of Mr Mubarak - as Washington had also taken a cautious stance due to Israel's concerns that a regime change may usher in radical Islamists from the Muslim Brotherhood movement.

Reacting to the news, EU Parliament chief Jerzy Buzek however called this "a historic day of peaceful, lasting and democratic change. I fully support the aspirations of the Egyptian people," he said in a press statement.

But he also urged to "carefully cherish and protect the flowers of freedom obtained," especially in regards to the military taking over the reigns of power ahead of general elections due this fall.

EU foreign policy chief Catherine Ashton took a less enthusiastic line. "The EU respects President Mubarak's decision today," she said in a press statement.

"By standing down, he has listened to the voices of the Egyptian people and has opened the way to faster and deeper reforms," she added, while also saluting the "courage" of Egyptians demonstrating peacefully for democracy.

Ms Ashton repeated calls for an "orderly and irreversible transition towards democracy", urging for the general elections to be free and fair.

EU commission willing to meet 'Indignados' in Brussels

The European Commission is willing to meet with representatives of the 'indignado' anti-austerity movement, a contingent of whom have marched from Madrid to Brussels protesting a European Union they say places the interests of big business ahead of ordinary people.

Analysis

How Moldova is trying to control tuberculosis

Moldova, Europe's poorest country, is working hard to combat tuberculosis. The country wants to be tuberculosis-free by 2030, at the same time as joining the EU. That's quite a challenge.

Feature

Sudanese fleeing violence find no haven in Egypt or EU

Since the cycle of violence started earlier this year in Sudan, more than six million people have been displaced. With increasingly fewer safe areas within the country, thousands have been forced to flee to neighbouring countries — especially Egypt.

Opinion

How should EU reform the humanitarian aid system?

The example of Ukraine illustrates that donors like the EU should be more ambitious about the localisation of aid. And this funding to local actors needs to be predictable, flexible, and longer than the typical one-year funding cycle.

Opinion

How should EU reform the humanitarian aid system?

The example of Ukraine illustrates that donors like the EU should be more ambitious about the localisation of aid. And this funding to local actors needs to be predictable, flexible, and longer than the typical one-year funding cycle.

Latest News

  1. How Moldova is trying to control tuberculosis
  2. Many problems to solve in Dubai — honesty about them is good
  3. Sudanese fleeing violence find no haven in Egypt or EU
  4. How should EU reform the humanitarian aid system?
  5. EU suggests visa-bans on Israeli settlers, following US example
  6. EU ministers prepare for all-night fiscal debate
  7. Spain's Nadia Calviño backed to be EIB's first female chief
  8. Is there hope for the EU and eurozone?

Stakeholders' Highlights

  1. Nordic Council of MinistersArtist Jessie Kleemann at Nordic pavilion during UN climate summit COP28
  2. Nordic Council of MinistersCOP28: Gathering Nordic and global experts to put food and health on the agenda
  3. Friedrich Naumann FoundationPoems of Liberty – Call for Submission “Human Rights in Inhume War”: 250€ honorary fee for selected poems
  4. World BankWorld Bank report: How to create a future where the rewards of technology benefit all levels of society?
  5. Georgia Ministry of Foreign AffairsThis autumn Europalia arts festival is all about GEORGIA!
  6. UNOPSFostering health system resilience in fragile and conflict-affected countries

Join EUobserver

Support quality EU news

Join us