Now that protesters forced Hosni Mubarak to resign his rule over Egypt, all should be well for the people that got what they protested for. Sadly, this is not the case, and Egypt has now seen relentless disruption since the eighteen day uprising that infiltrated world-wide headlines. With Mubarak out and the military controlling the government, the long-standing security systems that kept violence in check for years has crumbled.

The country’s State Security agency has been dissolved courtesy of the willingness and demand of the protesters. Though criticized for overly violent tactics, they kept violence from consuming day to day activities. Now that this higher power no longer exists, police and authority figures do not have any coercion to fall back upon when pursuing criminals. Throughout Cairo and other major cities, policemen find that they have limited power and are afraid of inciting even more protest of their own accord. With this major flaw in providing justice, liberties are being taken such as looting, car-parking violations which congest cities, as well as kidnappings. The late President Anwar Sadat’s granddaughter was even kidnapped for ransom. This is just one small example that emulates the severity outlining daily Egyptian life.

The atmosphere created by the protests did not help either. Inmates broke out of jails and correctional facilities, and proceeded to walk freely. Police stations were set ablaze during demonstrations, and ultimate hatred for authority set in on the masses without opposition. Too many oppressed Egyptians are unable to be persuaded otherwise, which does not provide any means of progress for the nation.

Not only does this affect the overall morale of citizens, but the economy has taken an unexpected hit. With too much disruption, tourists are few and far between. Given the attractions that Cairo presents, tourism provides consistent revenue because of the unique wonders the city holds. This has completely diminished now that their unrest is viable on the world stage. Even international school trips taken by Suffolk students have been cancelled because of this uncertainty. Strikes and sit-ins are also taking away from a productive industrial nation. Egypt will need a powerful and hopefully democratically-sound leader to step in and provide an example for the Egyptians to follow.

Since Egypt was the first country to uphold protests, the precedent may prove grim. The Middle East and the rest of North Africa are immersed in demonstrations and protest, some even more severe than Egypt. With this much destruction they could all provide similar fates. What will become of Egyptian government is unknown because the military cannot be in control forever. Any individual that is truly endorsed by the people should successfully take control. However, without bureaucratic forbearance and world-wide recognition, sufficient progression is doubtful.