The debate over the use of violence within the Muslim Brotherhood in Egypt after 2013

Abstract

Since the Muslim Brotherhood rule was overthrown in 2013, Egypt’s largest Islamist organisation has been witnessing an internal debate over how to face the new regime: whether to continue its non-violent political approach or to turn to violence to achieve its political goals. The majority of the movements’ members remain undecided, however. This policy paper seeks to look closely at the debate over the use of violence within the Muslim Brotherhood. Whose are the voices calling for violence and whose are those rejecting it? What is each group’s strategy to advance their respective approaches? And on which resources are they relying? What is the balance of power between the two groups, and is it likely to change in the future? The answers to these questions are expected to have a profound impact on stability in Egypt.