Egypt Showed That True Sovereignty Lies With The People But Other Nations Should ‘Glocalize’ Their Situations

History was made last week in Egypt when the incumbent President Hosni Mubarak after what has been described as an ‘unprecedented protest’ which lasted for about two weeks finally in a press briefing declared he was quitting office. Presently, Egypt’s national administration is temporarily in the hands of the military until fresh elections are conducted to meet the yearning and aspirations of the people. True sovereignty was restored to the people after a 30 years rule that lost the support and confidence of the majority. Congratulations Egypt, Congratulations Africa!

There is no doubt that true sovereignty and freedom ultimately lies with the people as demonstrated by Egyptians in their recent struggle and unrelenting demand for a change in government. In a previous article on the protest in Egypt titled ”AFRICAN LEADERS MUST LEARN TO ACCEPT CHANGE”, I fervently addressed the need for Mubarak and His allies to give a responsive ear to the cries, yearnings and sacrifices of the people. He must accept the call for ‘CHANGE’ from his people. Similarly, in an article I coined ‘GLOCALISATION’; therein it was defined as an idea and a process. As an idea ‘it refers to a set of principles wherein developing sovereign national states in the Global community, will formulate policies of regional and local content for the actualization of development in their respective regions. As a process, ”Glocalisation” is the beginning of a new era for developing states to attain optimum development viz-a-viz globalizing the local, and localizing the global’. Egypt’s recent transformation is a practical application of ‘GLOCALISATION’.

Out of international relations and diplomacy, the United States, Great Britain, and other concerned nations intervened in the Egyptian crisis. Both President Barrack Obama and Prime Minister David Cameron were reported to have called on Hosni Mubarak to tell him that Washington and the British parliament were interested in a ‘transitional government’ that will be smooth and transparent. However, much of what resulted into this change is entrenched in the principle of Glocalisation. Though foreign pressure was applied, through Glocalisation, the voice of the people mattered and their demands were granted.

However, other nations intending to replicate the success in Egypt must be caution. In my view, the success achieved in Egypt was predicated on the localizing of the global to the prevailing circumstances in their country. Hence, it is imperative that other nations in the similar struggle and those who might be naturally inclined to want to emulate Egypt be wary of measures adopted.

That the two weeks of protest yielded positive result in Egypt  does not necessarily guarantee success in similar situations. Countries who believe that there is an urgent need for a change locally as recently demonstrated by Egyptians should look inwardly and work with available laws and circumstances peculiar to those nations. In other words, nations should learn to take advantage of other legal means in their struggle for a change. This could come in the form of industrial strike, petitions, law suits or any other available measure at their disposal. Danger looms for any country that believes that Egypt’s prolonged protest can be automatically replicated in her situation. The same principle can equally be applied by individuals or groups who are in need for a change. ‘Glocalisation’ must guide us as individuals and nations in proffering workable and lasting solutions to our challenges.

The focus on Egypt recently with the eventual victory of the populace only proves beyond reasonable doubt that true sovereignty lies in the hands of the people. Those in autocratic power elsewhere and henceforth must learn to respect the call of the people for ‘CHANGE’, because true sovereignty belongs to the PEOPLE.

Once again, congratulations Egypt, Congratulation Africa!!!