Egypt Interim Leader Appoints Constitution Review Team

By Newsfromafrica

Egypt’s interim President Adly Mansour has appointed a legal committee to review amendments into the country’s constitution, following depose of former leader Mohammed Morsi in a popularly backed military coup.

On Saturday, Mr Mansour appointed a 10-member committee that will propose changes to the constitution within the next 30 days in a move to restore democratic rule since the military take over.

The committee is comprised of six judges - two from the Supreme Constitutional Court that Adly headed - and four constitutional law professors.

After the panel of experts suggest possible areas for amendment, a second committee comprised of 50 public figures including politicians, unionists and religious figures will then have 60 days to review those amendments.

After that, citizens will vote on the proposed amendments in a referendum, according to the military-backed timetable. Parliamentary elections are to follow.

Drafting of Egypt’s constitution became one of the most divisive issues in the country that led to his downfall, a year after he was elected into power as country’s first freely elected president.

 Morsi’s Islamist-led government was forced to exit from power on July 3 in a military-led coup following a wake of nationwide protests over worsening social and economic conditions. His opponents accuse him of putting interests of ruling Muslim Brotherhood party, ahead of the country as a whole.

The Brotherhood party has rejected any talks with the new leadership, demanding for Morsi to be reinstated. They say the only legitimate constitution is the one voted on and ratified by Morsi in December.

In November protests over the constitution and direction of the country turned deadly when Morsi decreed himself extra power that put him and the drafting committee above judicial oversight.

Mohammed Abdel-Aziz, a leading figure in the Tamarod movement that rallied protests around the county has said the group will start collecting suggestions from Egyptians on the constitution.

“We want to reach a constitution that is representative of the people’s will,” Abdel-Aziz told The Associated Press news agency. He declined to comment on which articles the group wants amended.

At least 60 people have died in violence that has erupted between security forces and protesters in the country. Authorities have launched a crackdown on the brotherhood top leaders, accused of inciting violence, an act which has been highly condemned by human rights activists.

Morsi has been held incommunicado at an undisclosed military facility since his ouster. He has not been charged with any crime.