AFRICA/EGYPT - "The young people are again at the center of the protest", says a missionary from Cairo, where in the clashes at least 20 people have died

Cairo (Agenzia Fides) - "The clashes continued even during the night", says to Fides Fr. Luciano Verdoscia, Comboni missionary who lives and works in Cairo, where in the last 3 days at least 20 people were killed and about 400 were injured in clashes between demonstrators and security forces in Tahrir Square (landmark of the Egyptian revolution). "There are two issues raised by protesters who clashed with police and the army in Tahrir Square", explains Fr. Luciano. "First of all the arrests carried out by the armed forces and the sentences imposed by military courts to several militants who during this period took part in demonstrations and other political activities. In addition, the State security police, formally dismantled after the fall of Mubarak, but has resumed its activities and helped to create further unrest. The protesters demand the release of the first people arrested in recent months because of their political commitment".
"The other aspect - the missionary continues - is that of the so-called supra-constitutional principles, which have created a heated debate. The Superior Council of the Armed Forces sought mediation with the Muslim Brotherhood and Salafi groups, which sometimes have been used by the military to interfere with street demonstrations, in order to counterbalance the other components of the protest".
Father Luciano points out that "in these days, again, the young people are the those who mostly took to the streets. When it comes to young people it is not possible to pinpoint their political connotations, but they are definitely interested in having a different government and a better future. In these protests, there has been an increased visibility of the fundamentalists. At the beginning, on Friday, November 18, there were the Muslim Brotherhood but withdrew from Tahrir Square".
On the possibility that there is a clash between different visions of democracy in Egypt, the missionary replies: "What is meant by democracy in North Africa and the Middle East, we will know after this turbulent period settles down. Certainly people want self-determination. At the moment Egyptian democracy means fair elections, in which citizens can freely vote those who they think are worthy of governing. In this context we must keep in mind that democratically sectarian forces may come to power, which for us Westerners are not so democratic. In my opinion these forces are important, but are not predominate. However, this democratic path in North Africa and the Middle East has to be done", said Father Luciano. (L.M.) (Agenzia Fides 21/11/2011)