Desperate Dictator Housewives - Egypt's Suzanne Mubarak

Salaam, I'm Suzanne

Interest has been stoked now about the Desperate Dictator's Housewives, especially since in the month since I wrote about the intrigue and scandal of Leila Ben Ali and Tunisia Lane, we've seen massive public demonstrations which led to the fall of her husband's 23-year despotic rule along with the end of her family's hold over the Tunisia's wealth. The swift change to have befallen Tunisia, and especially its ruling clique, has reverberated around the neighbourhood, with speculation abound whether other likewise corrupt and despotic Middle Eastern countries will experience the same. As we have seen today, just two streets down from Tunisia Lane, Egypt experienced its biggest ever anti-government demonstrations, calling for a change to a system that mirrors Ben Ali's Tunisia and, likewise, hoping that the same outcome and success will be emulated. To emphasise this point, the Egyptian demonstrators have even appropriated the Tunisian rallying call of 'Degage'. So is Egypt Lane like Tunisia Lane? And seeing this is 'Desperate Dictator's Housewives', do we have yet another Lady Macbeth character who loves expensive clothes, plays a 'caring' political role, does 'charity' and has children who have done a little too good? Well... yes!

Suzanne with her husband, the Pharoah, Hosni Mubarak

Egypt has been ruled by former air force pilot Hosni Mubarak now for almost 30 years - one of the oldest reigning leaders in the world. At 82, he looks curiously pretty much the same as he did when he took power in 1981. He didn't do the Berlusconi thing though and faced the knife. Oh no! In what will be the first of many parallels with his old mate Zine Ben Ali formerly of Tunisia, that black mop atop his head is thanks to the dye bottle - how vain! Mubarak's less-than-democratic rule has seen Egypt's powerful but minuscule elite live the life of an extravagant Egyptian musical while the overwhelming majority of the population battle widespread poverty and little hope for a prosperous future (just like Tunisia). Mubarak though enjoys the firm support of the United States and other Western countries, primarily because his rule ensures that the Arab World's most populous nation remains committed to a (cold) peace treaty with Israel and the alternative so far for Egypt would be rule under the Muslim Brotherhood, which could usher in a Iran-style government. Just to make sure that Mubarak is on side, the US pumps billions of military aid to Egypt, providing the generals with loads of new toys to play with.

With some of the other 'housewives' and their couture: Sheikh Mozah of Qatar, Yoo Soon Taek (Mrs Ban Ki-Moon) of UN/Korea, Suzanne Mubarak and Carla Bruni of France.

So what about the wife? Well, say hello to Suzanne Mubarak. Born 70 years ago to an Egyptian father and Welsh mother, she pretty much follows the same line as the rest of the 'housewives'. She's a very involved woman - just check out her Wikipedia page to see what she has done. She's into social programmes and cares about the poor - stuff like that. Lots of charity, glitzy functions and symposiums about solving social issues and was even once member of the UNICEF board. Must not forget that she is honorary prez of the Rotary Club of Egypt and patron for the Egyptian version of Sesame Street. She was co-patron with the ever-smiling Mehriban Aliyeva, our very natural-looking Desperate Dictator Housewife from Azerbaijan, for the 4th Global YES Summit held in Azerbaijan in September 2008 (Subject to the Wikileaks cable where the US officials couldn't work out whether who was Mehriban out of her daughters). So she's in fine company there.

Suzanne with her adoring public. Hosni the Pharaoh looks down.

So the big question is... if she has done so, so, so much for social issues in Egypt, you know, probably even weeped herself to sleep worrying over the plight of poor Egyptian children and such, then why does her country still face such serious social issues? Poverty, illiteracy, poor education facilities, lack of health care... the list goes on. Her hubby has had 30 years to do something about it, but he hasn't. The people who seem to be doing the best from it are the Mubaraks and their relatives and close friends. Let's see what interests they have, shall we? OK, first of all, Suzanne Mubarak is not one for being humble as she's always been one for expensive fashion and accessories. Considering more than half of Egypt's population are living on less than $2 a day, this is highly hypocritical of 'Mother Suzanne' (as she is mockingly nicknamed), and especially of a person who likes being portrayed as an advocate of social rights and the disadvantaged.

Laura Bush and a puppet on Sesame Street. Oh and Suzanne.

Then there's the nepotism. For instance, her brother, Mounir Sabet, was once the president of the Egyptian Olympic Committee and since 1998 has been a member of one of the most corrupt organisations in the world - the International Olympic Committee. That's a lovely, cushy job for him. But he did do a sport - shooting, so don't cross him.

Mr Olympics, Mounir 'I'll Shoot You' Sabet

Suzanne and Hosni have two sons, Alaa and Gamal who, like the other Desperate Dictator Housewives' kids, have done way too well for themselves. Of course, like before, they will have us believe that it had nothing to do whatsoever with their dad being prez that they were awarded all these government tenders and privatisation bids. How silly of us to think such a thought! Much speculation arose after Prez Mubarak was treated for a gall bladder inflammation in Germany last year as to who would be his successor. There had been some talk of many septogenarians taking over after Hosni (yeay... young blood!). However, there has been greater intrigue surrounding the possibility that Mubarak junior, the flashy investment banker Gamal will take over the reigns. He is already politically involved placed high up in his father's political party. There was even a suspicious campaign last year, giving yet again signs of 'popular' support for Gamal becoming the new Pharaoh. The Egyptian government denied they were behind this, instead trying to paint it as the will of the people. However, as can be seen by today's actions, and despite the voting figures Mubarak senior gets at elections (usually around 90%) Mubarak and his family are not fervently supported.

Now what usually happens with these Desperate Dictator Housewives is the typical 'Jezebel' pattern. For many years now it has been widely believed that the main instigator for Gamal accession has been mama Suzanne. This is what Russian newspaper Kommersant had to say about the whole situation in 2006:

The name of Suzanne Mubarak, the president’s wife, is heard in the Arab world nearly as often as the name of Mubarak himself. One sometimes gets an impression that Hosni and Suzanne are political rivals. Shortly before the 2005 presidential election, opposition newspapers were covering a scandal in the Mubarak family. The conflict came down to the presidential post. Suzanne thought that their son Gamal should become Egyptian President in 2005. Mubarak reportedly answered to this in the following way: “Egypt is the people’s republic, and there are no grounds for handing power by succession. And there never will.”

It is hard to say why Suzanne Mubarak was desperately defending her cause. Her own political ambitions may be the reason. She is often compared in the Arab world with Hillary Clinton. Like Hillary, Suzanne Mubarak heads maternity and childhood protection projects throughout the country and is involved in education and healthcare issues. She gives speeches on television on these topics, which gave her the nickname, Mother Suzanne.

She has big influence in Egypt and even takes part in shaping the government. When Hosni Mubarak fainted during a speech and had to spend a week in hospital, Suzanne virtually assumed the leadership in the country.

Mother Suzanne’s political and social efforts make one assume that she hopes to rise to power by securing the presidential post for her son, Gamal who is strongly influenced by her. However, the wish for Hosni Mubarak to step down and hand powers to the son could be explained by a wife’s care about the husband and the family’s future.

Gamal Mubarak with a Mr Burns-style 'excellent' hand gesture

In true 'Eve of the Garden of Eden' form, if you believe these rumours about La Mubarak jostling for the rather unpopular move of son Gamal being the prince in waiting, Hosni comes out looking like the 'nice' and 'virtuous' person here, thinking of Egypt first. Meanwhile, the 'half-Egyptian' Suzanne, who is rumoured not to be Muslim, is portrayed as the evil woman.

Of course, Gamal being prez is not popular as he is typical of silver spoon dictator sons. As a rich investment banker, his life has no connection to that of his fellow Egyptians. However, his international playboy lifestyle (i.e. alcohol and prostitutes seem to figure heavily in the rumours) was tamed in 2007 when he married the daughter of a rich Egyptian businessman Khadiga El-Gamal. Just to give you an idea of the disparity in lifestyles, Gamal became a daddy for the first time at age 47 - by that age, many Egyptians are already grandparents! As for the wedding details, they kept up appearances with a pious religious ceremony led no less by Sheikh Mohammad Sayyed Tantawi, Grand Imam of Al-Azhar and Egypt's most senior Sunni Muslim authority. Then it was off to the alcohol-free and no-photo (boo hiss!) cocktail reception at the Air Force Club in Cairo attended by nearly 500 guests, including most of the then cabinet, former ministers and only a handful of friends. Remember, daddy was an air force pilot many moons ago. Khadiga was wearing a dress designed by Lebanese fashion supremo Elie Saab. However, a tizzier event was organised at Sinai Red Sea resort of Sharm el-Sheikh, coinciding with daddy's 79th birthday. Check out the lovely Khadiga...

Khadiga with a hideous watch. Considering all the money she has...

While the Mubaraks of Egypt live the high life and despite Suzanne's overt public 'concern' for social welfare, in realiy they show utter contempt for the real issues facing the country they rule. The Egyptian public's frustrations from this has vented itself through the demonstrations we have seen today. While much has been said that this current show of opposition has been the work of an educated minority lucky to have computer access in a country, unlike Tunisia, mired in illiteracy and low education levels, there is still the hope that the apathy many Egyptians have shown over the many years of Mubarak's rule will be cast aside. The bigger question does remain though whether outside forces this time will want to risk their interests by allowing the real will of the Egyptian people to rule?

26 January 2011 UPDATE:

Word is spreading that Gamal, Khadiga and baby have headed off to London leading some to speculate that this is a pre-emptive move anticipating an imminent end to Mubarak rule. Could this be the beginning of the end? Or have the junior Mubaraks just gone for some shopping on Bond Street... or Primark? Stay tuned...