From time to time, events take on an historic significance. Until a few weeks ago, no Arab ruler in modern times was deposed by the will of his people, neither by election nor by popular uprising. Then, a nameless trader in an obscure Tunisian town committed suicide after the Tunisian police turned over his market cart; the event ignited the masses of Tunisia. Soon Zine el-Abidine Ben Ali--dictator of over 25 years--fled the country amidst scenes of joyous celebration in Tunis and across the country.
Fast forward three weeks, and today Hosni Mubarak--dictator of 30 years--resigned the presidency of Egypt amidst similar scenes of celebration. Over the past eighteen days we have witnessed a surreal roller coaster of a revolution, with crowds fighting police, the police disappearing from the streets, journalists and media roughed up by thugs, the army deployed to restore order, a couple of incredibly tone-deaf speeches from Mubarak, and finally his departure to a self-imposed (??) exile. No Egyptian younger than about 35 remembers a president other than Mubarak! and our thoughts should be with them in the months to come as they craft a new nation.
Only occasionally do we have the privilege to witness history in the making, and today is a day for all to celebrate.
Three points come to mind. First, the United States government was caught flat-footed by these events and struggled to triangulate between siding with the legitimate concerns of a repressed people and standing by a longtime ally in Mubarak. But this was a time to stand on principle--aging kleptocrats across the Arab world will soon die anyway--and to "get on the right side of history" (as so many TV pundits have been saying). For most of the world the United States remains an ideal of freedom, and only in the Arab world is this country seen--and rightfully so given our policies in the region--as an oppressor. While it took awhile to get there, the Obama administration did finally come out emphatically on the side of the Egyptian people and probably had some influence on pushing Mubarak from power.
Second, deposing a despot is an incredible accomplishment. I spent two years living in a repressive dictatorship; Paul Biya is seeking "reelection" this year in Cameroon after 29 years in power. And in those two years we were told over and over again, by both Peace Corps staff and local friends, to keep our mouths shut with regards to local politics. But as luck would have it I was there during the disputed Bush-Gore election, and the curiosity expressed about the election by my students was both interesting and intense. There was no thought that such a thing could happen in Cameroon...indeed it was UNTHINKABLE that the people could do anything to get rid of Biya. His control of the security services, the army, and large sections of the economy was absolute. And while he had been pushed by the West to allow opposition parties and to hold periodic elections after 1990, noone believed that any of the elections had been free or fair. So I have watched what has happened in Tunisia and Egypt with a bit of awe these last few weeks, and I imagine that the ecstatic celebrations we see on TV are far, far more emotional than anything in our political experience here at home. The courage of these early protesters to organize and take on the State deserve our respect and awe, and the emotional cascade that they triggered deserves our admiration.
Third, some pundits are "warning" that this revolution will eventually be "hijacked" by Islamist parties who will impose social repressions, and that therefore these events are to be feared. And maybe they are right. But that is no reason to decry the revolution itself. People everywhere want similar things: economic opportunity, a good education for their children, freedom from fear of their government, and given the chance they will vote for these things; they won't vote for slavery and a new repression. It will be up to the people tomorrow to ensure that their hard-won revolution is not lost. And who could ask for more than that?
Finally, when Becca and I visited Tunisia a couple of years ago we remarked on the omnipresent image of Ben Ali in offices, shops, and on billboards. It was rare to find yourself in a city and NOT in view of a smiling Ben Ali. Those pictures have all come down now, as the Mubarak pictures are coming down today. And while Biya's personality cult is still alive and well, one photo we took in a Kumba hotel last year was interesting, and should perhaps be sobering for Biya. For my part, tonight we celebrate!
