Dr. Bahaa Helmy Writes: The Suez Canal... The Key

The Suez Canal Economic Zone Authority announced a celebration marking the third anniversary of the opening and operation of the Suez Canal in August 2015, following the completion of the widening, deepening and excavation works in what became known as the «New Suez Canal».

Many media reports have been published addressing the achievements made, the future investment projects, the expected economic returns and the positive impact on development, employment and the reduction of unemployment. They have also reviewed the history of the Suez Canal since it was dug and built by the hands of Egyptians, and its global importance as a waterway linking the Red Sea and the Mediterranean, and connecting Asia, Europe and Africa, as well as a vital artery of world trade that increases its volume, in addition to its pivotal and unique location, which has been the cause of international and regional conflicts.

However, it appears that the decision to announce the Suez Canal project had another dimension, considering its timing, its content and those to whom it was addressed, whether the Egyptian people or the international community.

At the national level, this project kindled the spirit of belonging and loyalty among the people, as millions lined up and raced to buy New Suez Canal investment certificates with their own money within just a few days of their issuance, providing more than eight billion dollars to complete the project, at a time when division had dominated the scene.

Thus, the announcement of the Suez Canal project in 2014 can be regarded as the key to uniting the Egyptian people and rallying them around the decisions and goals of the June Revolution, and to their belief in the importance of working as one to defend the Suez Canal and the entire nation in the face of challenges.

At the international level, the scene of the Egyptian people and their choices amounted to implicit and unprecedented messages. The first was that the decision to expand the Suez Canal stemmed from the Egyptian authorities, as a symbol of their sovereignty and an expression of the belonging of their people and their firm conviction never to relinquish the nation's land under any circumstances.

The second of these messages was that the project would be completed with Egyptians' money, without the need to borrow from local or international banks or to obtain any funds from abroad. The third was Egypt's determination to shatter the dreams drawn up by the terrorist group in coordination with regional powers, in the form of a deal in which parts of Sinai would be ceded. Hence, the message was to affirm that the people of Egypt stand against all such policies, ideas and schemes, and confront challenges and dangers in order to preserve the unity of the people and the soil of the nation.

Accordingly, the announcement of the decision on the new canal project at that time can be described as an absolute necessity that achieved its objectives at the national and international political levels, as it was marked by boldness, confidence and faith in the ability and greatness of the Egyptian people. At the economic level, the Suez Canal corridor is expected to become one of the best investment and commercial zones in the world.

The question arises as to whether this decision should be considered an ingenious strategic idea to bring about a pre-emptive change on the ground, paving the way for waging the war of comprehensive development in Egypt and for securing control over the Sinai Peninsula and developing it, in parallel with confronting terrorism, which is not to be underestimated.

It is true that the arms of terrorism have been cut off, that it has been besieged, that its sources of funding have been isolated and that many of the terrorist group's schemes have been thwarted through daily security campaigns and the successes achieved in the Comprehensive Operation. Nevertheless, terrorism and those who finance it constitute the real danger, one that will ultimately fade away before the truth, the unity of the Egyptian people and their adherence to tolerant values. We must exercise the utmost caution and vigilance, and must never relax or underestimate periods of calm in confronting terrorists and traitors.