The brokering of a peace deal between Israel and Hamas made Mohammad Morsi, Egyptian President appear to be a man to be trusted. His latest decree has however made the assessment premature as his decision according to it will be above judicial enquiry. Morsi would not have to bother about democratic niceties, in accordance with this draconian decree. Is it the new constitution? True, he had to come down on the powers of the Army and of the judiciary which were the legacy of the Hosni Mubarak regime. The Army had been given the power to appoint the constituent assembly and the judiciary by its rulings could dictate on the constitutionality of various bodies, appointed or elected. Morsi frustrated the Army’s effort in August taking over the legislative power of the supreme council of the armed forces. He also dismissed or co-opted the major players in the Army. Next, he made himself a law unto himself. The powers of the supreme constitution council to upset the writing of the constitution by ruling against the validity of the constituent assembly have been curtailed.
Morsi’s latest move has provoked sharp criticism and outright violence. People who rose at Tahrir Squre in Cairo are highly suspicious of the new President’s motives. The Islamic bias of the Muslim Brotherhood is also in high disfavour. The domination of the Brotherhood over the constituent assembly is also resented. Morsi’s move seems so high handed demolishing judicial independence and democratic values that he is called a new Pharaoh. It is good to know that at long last it has been decided that an Egyptian court will examine the legality of Morsi’s decree next week.