NDPlay: The Difference between a Dialog and a Monologue

At these turbulent times, as Egypt draws near to a chapter of great uncertainties and potential chaos, I would have called for a wide political dialog to reach consensus  between Egyptian political forces, including the regime's NDP amongst other political parties and movements, around a reform path. In fact, I remember in 2004 and 2005 when our demands for a wide political dialog were finally picked up by the regime which only introduced a mockery instead of a "national dialog" as it was labelled.

First, a real dialog requires more than one party. When you have one party talking, it is not a dialogue, it is a monologue. Second, a free dialog requires removing the shackles by which the regime handcuffs different political groups. A true dialog necessitates allowing silenced voices to be heard. Unfortunately, our experience shows that the government allegations or so-called initiatives of adopting democratic reform are not sincere and that they lack substance. We welcomed the amendment of the constitution which President Mubarak announced on 26 Feb 2005, 4 weeks after detention of Ayman Nour for having called for constitutional change, which Mubarak had announced to be an act of treason one month before. But how did the regime deliver the constitutional amendment? The regime introduced a distorted Article 76 which was designed to appear as allowing for multi-candidate presidential elections, yet, limit candidacy to a handful of Egyptians all of whom are under the regime's thumb.

The case of El Ghad Party clearly shows the Egyptian Regime's idea of dialog. The regime would allow El Ghad, or any other party, to exist in the legal political framework, only if the party abides by the preset script in any dialog or process.

The regime does not only want to do most of the talking, no. The regime also wants the opposition, when it is rarely allowed to speak, to say the words prepared by the regime and outlined in the script of the play. Such is the theatrical nature of the regime's democracy. This is why Egyptian people have seized to listen or participate. Because they are promised change and reform, while only a boring show is delivered. This is how the Egyptian regime has assassinated any chance of political vitality merely to curb rotation of power and maintain an unsustainable status quo. 

This is the NDP Play. Also known as NDPlay. This is why I will not call for any dialog or any initiative of any kind involving this regime which has become corrupt to the core. Too late.