Egypt pres. Sisi calls for political reconciliation

Egypt’s newly elected president has surprised many by his recent declaration that political reconciliation with the Muslim Brotherhood is still a possibility.
Abdel-Fattah Sisi, who was the defense minister back in July 20-13 when the army toppled Mohamed Morsi from the presidency, contradicted his earlier stance that brotherhood would have no place in Egypt as long as he is at the helm. Some observers see the shift in Sisi’s viewpoint, less than a week before he takes office, as a sign of weakness, in the face of fast moving attempts by the opposition, to unify Islamic and liberal streams. Pro-Brotherhood activists also say, that youth-led protests, which have seen no signs of abating almost one year after the overthrow of Morsi, despite a huge crackdown, mean that the people are not ready to sacrifice the blood of their martyrs. Other observers believe Sisi’s latest move is a legitimate attempt, to break the ranks of the Brotherhood, which the government accuses of sponsoring terror. Pro-government observers also note that the economically-struggling country is more than ever in desperate need of unity, as it cannot move forward, in the midst of an unprecedented deeply polarized atmosphere. The pro-government camp here in Egypt, expects the Brotherhood to recognize the army’s roadmap while the pro-M.B. side is awaiting at least the freeing of political prisoners as a good will gesture. Both seem far-fetched possibilities, according to most observers.