Middle East Information Resource
Political Entities - Wafd
The Wafd (delegation) was an Egyptian nationalist political party, and the leading political organization in Egypt between World War I and the Nasser revolution (1918-1952). It was a key factor in establishing Egyptian independence.
Wafd proved to be far more effective than other political groups in attracting popular support against the British presence in Egypt. They exercised their power through demonstrations and riots in addition to elections and other normal political channels. The core of Wafd`s supporters were the professional elite and the bourgeoisie. Wafd called for internal autonomy, constitutional government, civil rights and Egyptian control over the Sudan and the Suez Canal. Wafd extended its influence into all sectors of the society through its control of four daily and four weekly newspapers.
Wafd formed the government of Egypt from 1924, and these governments were in constant conflict with the ruling kings of Egypt, even after Egypt gained its independence in 1936. The fall of Wafd in the 1950`s came from strong discontent among normal Egyptians as well as military leaders, for their inconclusive dealing with the continued British presence in Egypt.
On November 13, 1918 Wafd was organized by Ahmad Sa`ad Zaghlul in response to the end of World War I. A delegation led by Zaghlul to the British high commissioner in Cairo demanded a voice at the peace conferences following the War. This demand was refused and three years of demonstrations and riots ensued, but talks continued between the British and Wafd.
In March 1919 the leaders of Wafd, Zaghlul, Ismail Sidqi and Hamid al-Basil were exiled for a short period. In September 1923 Following the part-independece of 1922, Wafd established itself as a political party. In February 1924 Wafd won 90% of the seats in the First Chamber, and formed a government. In 1927 Zaghlul died, and the new leadership of Wafd passed to Mustafa al-Nahas Pasha. In 1931 King Fu`ad sacked primer minster Nahas Pasha, and suspended the constitution of 1923. Waft also won elections in 1925 and 1929, but was able to maintain a government for only a short time.
In April 1936 elections returned Wafd to power, and a Regency Council ruled on behalf of the new King Faruk. In August Egypt became an independent kingdom. Wafd formed the League of Wafdist Youth in 1937, which developed into a paramilitary organization, called the Blueshirts. In February 1938 King Faruk came of age at 18 years. Tensions between Wafd and the King become serious, in a test of power. King Farouk dismissed al-Nahas from his post as Prime Minister.
In February 1942, during World War II, when King Faruk exhibited sympathies for the Italians, and the British force the King to appoint al-Nahas Prime Minister once again. This Wafd government had sufficient authority to start talks with other Arab states about closer ties. Eventually the Arab League was established in 1945. Wadf won the general elections of January 1950 with an overwhelming majority.
In October 1951 Wafd unilaterally abrogated the 1936 treaty with the British, which gave the British control over foreign interests and the safety of national minorities. They also demanded a British withdrawal from the Suez Canal. Wafd members took part in guerilla attacks on British installations. This caused a severe crisis in Anglo-Egyptian relations
In January 1952 King Faruk dismissed the Wafd government, following riots in Cairo. The new government compelled Wafd to purge its leadership, but in 1953 Wafd and all political parties were dissolved by the Revolution Command Council. In 1976-1977, during the presidency of Anwar al-Sadat, a new law was enacted governing political parties. A multi-party political system was established, but the law forbade the reactivation of parties and leadership from before 1952.
Nevertheless, in February 1978 Wafd was licensed and reconstituted as the Neo-Wafd, but it was subject to many restrictions, including the disqualification of the party`s main leader, Fu`ad Siraj al-Din. The party disbanded the same year, in the face of all of the restrictions placed upon it. However, in 1983 the Administrative Court allowed Wafd to be reconstituted and lifted the restriction previously placed upon Fu`ad Siraj al-Din.
In the elections of 1984 the Wafd submitted a combined list with the Muslim Brotherhood, even though the Muslim Brotherhood was not itself licensed to present candidates. They won 57 of 448 seats, including eight of the Muslim Brotherhood. The electoral combination between the two groups was terminated before the elections of 1987.
In 1987 the Wafd began publishing a daily newspaper (al-Wafd al-jihad), the first opposition daily to be published in Egypt since 1952. In the elections of April 1987 Wafd won 36 seats. It was no longer the only or even principal opposition group in the Assembly.
The New Wafd Party, like most of the opposition parties, boycotted the 1990 elections and therefore had no representation in the People`s Assembly.