Imprisoned Muslim Brotherhood members are warning against internal conflict that may threaten the stability of the movement. Their cautions come in the wake of a dispute over the proposed promotion of Essam el-Erian to the Guidance Bureau.
Sources state that the prisoners have warned against looming disagreements over el-Erian’s promotion, which they called an unprecedented crisis.
A number of imprisoned Brotherhood members have called for unity. Khayrat el-Shater, who was sentenced for seven years in jail on money laundering charges after an arrest for organizing militant protests in 2006, as well as Mohamed Ali Beshr and Osama Nasr Eddin, also both in prison, have requested that the group reach an immediate solution and prioritize the movement’s general interests.
Sources quoted the imprisoned leaders as saying the dispute over el-Erian is a sign of the strength of the Brotherhood’s institutional processes. The imprisoned leaders also said that the movement must return to its previous state of harmony, which is not enjoyed by other political parties in Egypt.
Sources refused to reveal whether jailed members gave any opinion on el-Erian’s promotion. “I did not get any comment over the issue,” said Mohamed Mahdy Akef, Supreme Guide for the Brotherhood, who also denied rumors of internal disagreements.
Essam el-Erian, a member of the Brotherhood’s Shura Bureau, declined to comment on the idea of his promotion. “I have taken an oath to myself not to talk about the issue so as not to have my words misinterpreted,” he said.
Translated from the Arabic Edition.
