Egypt Daily News – The recent apology by Egyptian Prime Minister Mostafa Madbouly during his visit to Saudi Arabia have ignited a wide-ranging debate on social media and among commentators.
His apology for the “bureaucracy” that he claimed has been transferred from Egypt to Saudi Arabia has elicited mixed reactions, with some describing it as humiliating and others seeing it as a recognition of reality.
During his meeting with Saudi investors, Madbouly acknowledged challenges in Egypt’s investment environment, emphasizing efforts to simplify bureaucratic processes.
He referenced a quip by Saudi Commerce Minister Majid Al-Qasabi about Egypt’s bureaucratic legacy, expressing remorse if that legacy had impacted Saudi Arabia.
Critics, including journalist Lamis Al-Hadidi, have condemned the apology as out of touch with Egypt’s current struggles, connecting bureaucracy with entrenched corruption and inefficiency, and arguing that, while many nations have modernized their systems, Egypt remains ensnared in outdated practices.
Al-Hadidi called for an apology to Egyptians for their everyday struggles with bureaucracy, suggesting that the Prime Minister should be as accountable to the citizenry as he is to investors.
Writer Ammar Ali Hussein expressed disbelief at Madbouly’s comments, questioning if Egypt, having gained independence from British colonial rule over 70 years ago, has truly moved beyond the bureaucratic systems inherited from that era. He pointed out that similar bureaucratic challenges do not appear to afflict Britain.
Conversely, some voices on social media have suggested that the negative focus on Madbouly’s remarks stems from intentional efforts to create discord between Egypt and Saudi Arabia.
There are calls for Egypt to leverage Saudi Arabia’s advancements, particularly in e-government, as a means of improving its own bureaucratic efficiency.
The responses reflect a broader discontent with the state of governance in Egypt, where citizens grapple with issues like rising electricity prices alongside a bureaucracy perceived to be stifling progress.
Meanwhile, the Egyptian government announced a significant investment commitment from the Saudi Public Investment Fund, which some see as a silver lining amidst the controversy.
In essence, the reaction to Madbouly’s apology illustrates the complexity of Egypt’s socio-political landscape, where historical legacies, current governance issues, and international relations intermingle, evoking strong sentiments among the populace and commentators alike.
