Egypt ‘revolution youth’ divided ahead of landmark poll

EGYPT: They came out in droves united in their desire to overthrow Hosni Mubarak, but on the eve of Egypt’s landmark presidential election, the youth that spearheaded that revolt are divided over how to keep it alive.

After a tumultuous, sometimes bloody, transition following the strongman’s fall, activists say they are tired of the constant struggle with those left behind from the old regime, but vow to return to Tahrir Square if their revolution is threatened.

They are disappointed at seeing their spectacular uprising hijacked by the ruling army or by Islamists whose power has since risen, and as Egypt prepares to choose its next president, they find themselves leaderless. Esraa Abdel Fattah, who in 2008 created the Facebook page “April 6” in support of striking workers and to call for political reforms, admits the youth are divided. The 33-year-old activist, whose Facebook page turned into a political movement and whose name was floated as a possible Nobel prize winner in 2011, told AFP she is now an “honorary member” of the April 6 movement, lending the group support and attending their events.

AFP