I have chosen to hold off on publishing any stories or images from last week's trip to Cairo for the time being, as it seems inapropriate to comment on the resounding success of the 25th of January anniversary of the revolution when fresh clashes have erupted on the streets of the capital, so far with disastrous results.
On the 25th, apparently, around three times the number of people attended the protests as did this time last year, and by all accounts the day went extremely well. Certainly the purpose of the day was contested, with participants divided over the extent to which it could be called a celebration and concerns that an undeserved 'party mood' had prevailed, but as one young woman told the BBC, this is democracy. And most importantly no one was hurt. The fact that over 90 lives have now been lost and 2500 people injured in violence sparked by something as trivial as a football match is not only an immeasurable tragedy, but an unexpected and entirely unjustified two steps back for a people who so fervently wish to be self-governing, and who are ostensibly 'in one hand'.
That is, if the rumours regarding the more sinister reasons behind the football riot are not taken into account. Many believe - and certain evidence seems to suggest - that plainclothes officers were among those involved in the initial violence, and the ineffectiveness of the riot police was in fact deliberate, as many Al Ahly fans had played a role in last year's uprisings. In every likelihood we will never know. But if these accusations are true they are absolutely shocking and illustrate the need for far greater reform than was perhaps previously anticipated in order to establish a truly accountable police force.
What is indisputable is that the actions of the police have been unacceptable at every step. Following initial perceived uselessness on the night of the match, riot police across the country now appear to be overcompensating, firing tear gas and rubber bullets at civilians (and worse in the case of Suez, where five demonstrators were shot dead yesterday), the only effect of which will be to worsen relations between the state and an already furious and grief-stricken population.
The demand for a rapid and conclusive end to military rule has risen once again, quite out of the blue, and at a point when genuine - if somewhat plodding and arguably disorganised - progress appeared to be taking place at long last. It has been easy, over the past two months, for most Egyptians to fall into an uneasy contentment with proceedings so far. Now, once again, they have been reminded in the cruellest way possible that while the revolution this time last year may have toppled Hosni Mubarak, further effort will be necessary to cleanse the political system of the repressive and corrupt elements of the regime still left in his wake.
What happens next in this awful, tangled situation no one can predict. More soon.
