The Caribbean Community said that the ousting of Egypt’s President Hosni Mubarak from power last week was a victory for democracy.
In a statement, Caricom said it had taken note of the announcement that Mubarak was stepping down as president of Egypt, and reaffirmed its support for the people of Egypt, who over the past two weeks have displayed their desire for change through massive and, in general, peaceful protests.
“The Caribbean Community, which values good governance and the rule of law, looks forward to an orderly and seamless transition to a government that will organise free and fair elections and thereby satisfy the aspirations of all Egyptians to be governed by representatives of their own choosing.
“This episode in the history of this great country is really a victory for democracy, and it is incumbent on all who support democracy and democratic institutions to assist Egypt in building a broad-based democracy.”
Caricom also called upon all parties involved to cooperate as Egypt embarks on the challenging journey to Egyptian polity.
On Friday, February 11th, Mubarak stepped down from office, handing power to the military. The announcement was delivered on state TV by Vice President Omar Suleiman. It came as thousands massed in Cairo and other Egyptian cities for an 18th day of protest to demand Mubarak’s resignation. Protesters responded by cheering, waving flags, embracing, and sounding car horns.
“The people have brought down the regime,” they chanted. Suleiman said Mubarak had handed power to the high command of the armed forces.
“In the Name of God the Merciful, the Compassionate, citizens, during these very difficult circumstances Egypt is going through, President Hosni Mubarak has decided to step down from the office of president of the republic and has charged the High Council of the armed forces to administer the affairs of the country,” he said.
On Sunday, the country’s military authorities said they were dissolving parliament and suspending the constitution. In a statement on state TV, the higher military council said it would stay in power for six months, or until elections. Earlier, there were scuffles in Cairo’s Tahrir Square as protesters thwarted army efforts to remove them. The military police chief has called for tents to be cleared from the area, the focal point of the uprising that led to Mubarak’s departure.
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