We must end state Brotherhoodisation

Egyptian political analyst and National Salvation Front (NSF) official Wahid Abdel Meguid has described Egyptian President Mohammed Morsi's cabinet reshuffle as "useless," adding that the Front is keen to establish a regime that represents everyone in Egypt. The Egyptian politician claimed that "Brotherhoodisation of the state," the influence of Muslim Brotherhood at state level through the appointment of several key officials to public posts, is the biggest challenge facing Egypt's opposition parties. Speaking to Arabstoday, Abdul Meguid argued that the impending reshuffle has closed the door on free and fair elections, and is likely to mean the NSF will play no part in the country's next government. The NSF leader outlined several conditions that the Egyptian government must meet for NSF to re-consider political participation. He called on authorities to be neutral, appoint an independent Attorney-General to ensure fairness of the elections, bring an end to the attacks on the judiciary and stop state Brotherhoodisation. "There is an urgent need in Egypt for the political process to be corrected, especially with the turbulent constitutional status, with regard to the roles of the President of the Republic and President of the Council of Ministers and their specialisations," Abdul Meguid emphasised. The politician dismissed claims by Islamists that the NSF receives funding from abroad. "The claims are nonsensical; Salvation Front component parties are legal frameworks and their funding sources are known to everyone, including the Central Auditing Organisation." Abdul Meguid clarified that rumours of a split within the Egyptian political coalition are wide of the mark, adding that the group would remain united for as long as the the Egyptian people need a voice. He claimed that the fact that several political parties from different ideological backgrounds have come together under the NSF umbrella is a cause for celebration. The opposition leader disclosed a three-point strategy for political reform in Egypt; the removal of the current government, the formation of a national government, and the drafting of a clear plan for the future direction of Egypt. Abdul Meguid said that the NSF is working on several projects on the ground to pressurise the ruling regime, including the establishment of parallel entities such as the shadow government and parliament, along with the NSF General Conference which is scheduled to take place next week.