The historic developments that began June 30 included widespread demonstrations across Egypt’s governorates involving more than 25 million Egyptians. The protests vastly exceeded the numbers that ignited the January 25th Revolution in 2011, and is believed to have been the largest peaceful demonstration in world history. This citizen-led “coup for democracy” was a genuine reflection of the fact that the peoples’ desire for real democratic change remained unfulfilled.
The popular demonstrations, according to many Egyptians, stemmed from flagrant violations of democratic principles, starting with then President Mohamed Morsi’s constitutional declaration in November 2012, in which he effectively declared himself above the law. Egypt’s first democratically-elected president, whom we genuinely hoped would be a president for all Egyptians, wantonly expanded his powers and focused on implementing an ideological agenda rather than addressing the serious economic crisis facing the country. He deliberately blocked the creation of a constitution that guaranteed checks and balances and provided equality for all. The president’s refusal to compromise and his gross mismanagement of government affairs jeopardized the stability of the region’s most populous nation and directly affected its crucial strategic role.
It is important to note that it was not economic failures that precipitated the demonstrations of June 30, but rather, the vast majority of demonstrators saw a blatant attempt by the government to reshape Egypt’s complex, multi-variant, pluralistic culture by dismantling the judiciary, suppressing the independent media, repressing freedom of speech and dissent and refusing to recognize the rights of minorities and women. The Egyptian people demanded these rights and values following the January 25 revolution, but they were dismissed and ignored by the government that came to power.
The American Chamber of Commerce in Egypt is the leading business association in Egypt and the Middle East with over 1,800 members. For over 35 years, we have promoted business relations between the United States and Egypt, during which time we have built a strong network of business leaders, members of Congress and their staffs, executive branch officials, and other decision and policy makers in Egypt and the United States. Today, AmCham is communicating a message to its network of friends and business partners.
All of AmCham’s members share a commitment to a strong U.S.-Egypt relationship at all levels and an Egyptian economy based on a free market, opportunities for youth, job creation, better education, entrepreneurship and active participation in the global economy. At this critical juncture, we believe that Egypt’s relationship with the United States is critical to the long-term success of Egypt’s revolutionary process and beyond. We therefore believe it is imperative that the United States:
• acknowledge that June 30 was a “people’s revolution” and nothing else
• support the transitional plan for new, free, transparent multi-party elections
• provide leadership in the international community to mobilize the economic assistance that Egypt requires in the short-term to stabilize its economy
• initiate a sustained high-level economic dialogue with Egypt designed to create the conditions for long term, private-sector led growth
• encourage U.S. businesses to invest in Egypt.
A strong, stable, moderate and truly democratic Egypt is in the best interest of both countries, and those interests would be adversely affected if current U.S. policymakers elect to disengage from Egypt and its people in their quest for true democracy or reduce current levels of support for the Egyptian military. Over the past two years, many of the largest U.S. multinationals who are active members of AmCham (including many Fortune 500 companies) have remained engaged in and committed to Egypt. They are bullish on Egypt’s future and its future prospects. They are confident that the Egyptian people will settle for nothing less than a real democracy and an economy that offers opportunity for all.
In that spirit, and during this difficult period in Egypt’s history, AmCham appreciates the support you have offered Egypt over many years and looks forward to stronger business ties between Egypt and the United States that are based on mutual respect and understanding. Most importantly, we appreciate your continuous and invaluable support to Egypt and the Egyptian people.
Board of Governors
The American Chamber of Commerce in Egypt