27th January 2020

Musings.......

I thought I had done justice to the 2019 protests through my previous Musings. Later I realised my folly that I had just touched the tip of the Iceberg.  In fact the seemingly small protests had snowballed into huge protests with its geographical extent extending into both hemispheres. Now it’s been dubbed the Global Protest Wave of 2019 !! 

Confining myself to Latin America in my last article was a deliberate attempt to highlight the ply of the people in a hitherto lesser known part of the world. However, I now realise I have opened up a Pandora’s box and would not do justice without writing about protests elsewhere.  

ASIA 

Hong Kong 

The 2019 Hong Kong extradition bill was seen as a threat to Hong Kong’s autonomy from the People’s Republic of China. These protests of the people were similar to the Occupy Hong Kong Protests of 2011 and the Umbrella movement of 2014 where the protesters were mainly fighting for social and economic inequality.

The protests led to the Administrator Ms. Carrie Lam withdrawing the bill, but protests continued to demand inquiry into police overreach and a more democratic electoral system. The Hong Kong economy meanwhile contracted by close to 2% and tourist arrival declined by 56%, and large amounts of events and conferences were relocated to Singapore and elsewhere. 

The One Nation theory of Chinese communist party, whereby they seek to control the islands of Hong Kong and Taiwan have not found popular support. In the District Council Elections in Hong Kong, the only democratic practice in an otherwise Chinese hegemony, the party supporting the protesters got an overwhelming majority. 

Similarly, in Taiwan the anti- China incumbent party got back to power in a popular vote.  All this makes the One China Policy of President Xi Jinping in Jeopardy.  

Indonesia 

Here the protests broke out over controversial bills including one criminalising extramarital sex and abortions; and other on the partial dissolution of power of the countries Corruption Eradication Commission.  The protests were mainly concentrated in the capital Jakarta and in Yogyakarta in the island of Java. Most protesters were school and university students with few deaths out of police brutality being reported.  

Kazakhstan 

Protests erupted in Kazakhstan when a fire broke out in the capital city Nur-Sultan killing 5 children. The government handling of the incident was criticised and the President Nursultan Nazarbayev dismissed the government under Prime Minister Bakhystayan Sagintayev.  Subsequently the President himself resigned and in a snap Presidential election Kassem Jomart Tokayev was elected with 70% of the vote, leading to further protests disputing the verdict.  

Papua 

Protests erupted when some students were charged on disrespecting the Indonesian flag, and having possession of the illegal West Pappuan Morning Star flag. There were also charges of racial insult leading to widespread protests. Papua has been a centre of conflict and calamity over its freedom. 

EUROPE 

France 

The Yellow vest movement started in 2018 and continued into 2019. Started as a campaign against they migration crisis by the far- Right group, it has now become pan- society and has turned against the centrist liberal Macron government. Most of the protesters now support the far right leader Marine le Pen. 

Catalonia, Spain 

The ongoing protests got further impetus when the leaders of the Catalan Independence Movement, were convicted of sedition.  The Catalonian protesters interestingly found support from the Hong Kong Protesters and have been using their tactics to evade the police. Support was also seen Vice Vera. 

Italy 

The Sardines Movement started as peaceful protests against the right wing leadership of Matteo Salvini. The idea of the name “ Sardine” comes from organising large number of people packed together in rallies, like sardines in a shoal !! 

Malta 

The Maltese protest erupted against the PM Joseph Muscat in his alleged involvement in the assassination of journalist and of big business linkages. This led to his resignation in January 2020. 

ARAB COUNTRIES 

Sudan 

The Sudanese revolution started in 2018 continued into 2019. Months of civil disobedience led to the ousting of deposed President Omar- al- Bashir after 30 years in power.  The Transitional Military Council ( TMC) replaced him.  This did not quell the protests and the protesters demanded a civilian Government.  This led to the signing of Political Agreement and draft Constitutional declaration between the TMC and the Forces of Freedom and Change ( FFC) alliance. This legally defined a 39 month of transitional state institutions and procedures subsequently leading to civilian rule. 

Algerian Protests 

The 2019 Algerian Protests also called the Revolution of Smiles or the Hirak Movement, started immediately after the President Abdelaziz Boutefika announced his candidacy for a fifth term. He has been President since 1999. Speculation was rife on the health of the President who suffered a stroke in 2013 and his ability to rule was questioned.  

The protests were centered on long standing issues including economic stagnation, unemployment, and long standing corruption. Reduced oil prices meant it weakened the ruling regime, who previously used to buy off rebellious youth to their side as was witnessed during the Arab Spring. 

Power broker military chief Ahmed Gaid Salah became the centrepiece of events and the king maker causing further heartache and pain to the protesters. Government announced a December election which was held with a turnout of 8%. Subsequently amid rampant protests Abdelmadjid Tebboune was elected President and he declared his PM and cabinet, with Ahmed Gaid Salah, the defacto ruler of the state. 

Meanwhile Protests continue in Algiers. 

Egypt 

The background of the Egyptian protests 2019 is - 

Mass protests in Egyptian revolution in 2011 led to ouster of President Hosni Mubarak, 2012 Presidential election was won by Mohammad Morsi, again 2012-13 protests against the President led to 2013 coup d’état which overthrew Morsi. 

August 2013 Rabba Massacre by security forces and army by General Abdel Fateh al Sisi let go a government under Sisi which continued with no serious opponents in 2014 and 2018. 

Protests started in September 2019 when anti- Sisi material surfaced on the Internet, from sources alleging corruption and nepotism. This led to widespread protests, the protesters have made Mohammad Ali, a contractor in exile in Spain as their rallying point.  

Iraq 

2019 Iraqi Protests, or the Iraqi intefada or the Tishreen Revolution started in October citing corruption, unemployment and inefficient public services which escalated to a point rallying for ouster of present regime. 

The PM Adil Abdul Mahadi announced he would resign but was not accepted by the President.  Subsequently the President also resigned protesting undue Iranian Influence in Iraqi polity.  

Following the January 3rd assassination of Iranian Major General Qasim Soleimani and head of Popular Mobilisation Forces of Iraq Abu Mahdi al Muhandis near Baghdad airport, protests have continued. 

All said and done we can’t but rue how much the world is unsatisfied by their rulers and masters. Has it been always like this ? Will our future generations read in their History books, on how badly managed the administrations were in the 20th and 21st century ? Or will History do justice to mankind’s drastic transformation into what we are today ? Only time will tell ! 

RC