Egypt celebrates July 23 Revolution

CAIRO – 23 July 2020: The July 23 Revolution or the July 23 Coup is a military movement led by Egyptian army officers against the monarchy in Egypt on July 23, 1952. 

Initially known as the "Blessed Movement", it was called the July 23 Revolution after the dissolution of political parties and the overthrow of the 1923 constitution in January 1953.

How did it all start?

After the 1948 war and the loss of Palestine, the Free Officers Movement appeared in the Egyptian army led by Major General Mohammed Naguib and Gamal Abdel Nasser.

On July 23, 1952, the Free Officers Movement carried out a white-armed coup without bloodshed. The Free Officers Organization within the Egyptian army then succeeded to take control of vital facilities in the country.

July 23, 1952, A photo shows the meeting of the Egyptian “Free Officers”

The first statement of the revolution was broadcast with the voice of Anwar el-Sadat and the movement forced the king to abdicate his crown to prince Ahmed Fouad and leave the country on July 26, 1952.

A council of tutelage was formed for the throne, but the Revolutionary Command Council managed everything. The council was composed of 13 officers headed by Mohammad Naguib; then the monarchy was abolished and the republic was declared on June 18, 1953.

July 26, 1952, An Egyptian army tank and field guns are drawn up in front of the Abdin Palace in Cairo. Inside the palace, King Farouk agrees to abdicate in favor of his 7-month-old son, Prince Fuad.

Leader of the movement

The leader of the movement that was later called a revolution was Major General Mohammed Naguib, who in fact was chosen - by the Free Officers - as a front for the revolution because of his good reputation within the army.

Egypt's first president Mohamed Naguib

Naguib was the only brigade in the movement and was the reason why many army officers joined the Free Officers. He was one of the most important factors of success. However, a struggle for power arose between Naguib and Abdel Nasser, after Naguib saw the necessity of handing over power to an elected civilian authority.

Abdel Nasser was able to eventually control matters and exiled Naguib in the Zeinab Al-Wakil Palace, in Al-Marg, east of Cairo, until his death.

Abdel Nasser then took over Egypt from 1954 until his death in 1970 and derived the legitimacy of his rule from the July 23 Revolution.

The principles of the July 23 Revolution

·       Eliminate feudalism.

·       Decolonization.

·       The elimination of capitalism’s control over the government.

·       Establishing a strong national army.

·       Establishing social justice.

·       Establishing Democracy.

These principles were not announced until 1956.