Muslim Brotherhood – Conflict and new divisions
The intra-Brotherhood conflict entered a new phase between the Istanbul Front led by Mahmoud Hussein, the former secretary-general of the Brotherhood, and the London Front led by Ibrahim Munir, the acting leader of the Brotherhood, after the formation of a “committee to carry out the work of the guide” and the selection of Mustafa Talba as its representative for the position of guide for six months.
- Washington, London call on Houthis to stop Marib offensive
- The Economist – The Muslim Brotherhood is tearing itself apart
With this committee, the group has officially split into two groups. For the first time, two official organizations are inaugurated, each with an official spokesperson and a shura; one in London, the other in Istanbul.
In a surprise attack that would deepen the organization’s crises, an official statement by the Istanbul Front, which is struggling with the London Front, said: The organization Shura Council met and decided to form an interim committee on behalf of the acting committee of the Supreme Guide and to select Mustafa Talba as its representative.
Talba is a British businessman who has served as a liaison between the Brotherhood and the intelligence services of some countries. He is accused by some parties within the Brotherhood of having links to Western intelligence agencies and is also on Egypt’s terrorist lists.
He is vice president of the Brotherhood’s Shura Council in Turkey, enjoys close ties with the Turkish authorities, and manages a large group of the group’s investments and funds.
He is also a doctor and professor of general surgery. He holds British citizenship. His full name is Mustafa Fahmy Talba Hassan, and he is responsible, along with his brother Ali Fahmy Talba, for managing a huge investment of Brotherhood funds.
His brother, Ali Fahmy Talba, ran a series of Brotherhood investments in Egypt, including Radio Shack, and served as chairman of Delta Software and Business Solutions, one of the largest brands, owns computer Shop, Mobile Shop and Smart Home, and controls nearly 80% of retail communications, electronics and computers.
The late President Mohamed Morsi of the Muslim Brotherhood was accompanied on a visit to Brazil by a group of businessmen from the group to agree on several joint projects in the field of software and information systems.
A few hours after the announcement of the formation of a “committee to carry out the work of the guide”, the London Front confirmed that Ibrahim Munir was the acting leader and representative of the organization’s institutions.
In a statement published by the Brotherhood’s official website, the London front spokesman Oussama Suleiman denied reports that the Shura Council would convene on Friday or that any decisions would be issued.
The statement said: “The Brotherhood asserts that at the last meeting of the General Shura Council, chaired by Ibrahim Munir, the deputy leader and charge d’affaires, which was held at the beginning of this month during its regular session, members discussed the performance reports of its internal institutions”.
The London Front states that “the institutions of the organization are represented only by Charge d’affaires Ibrahim Munir, the official spokesmen, the media and the official website of the Brotherhood”.
A few days ago, Mahmoud Hussein held a conference of dozens of his supporters in Istanbul to mobilize against his rival Ibrahim Munir’s front, Ikhwanonline reported.
The long-running conference, which was attended by all the symbols of Mahmoud Hussein’s movement and a large number of women, sought to take a decision to hold new internal elections within six months and to cancel any decisions approved by Ibrahim Munir and his Front.
The group has been in a state of deep internal confusion recently, amidst mutual accusations of treason and disbelief among conflicting parties.
The London Front, led by the group’s acting leader, Ibrahim Munir, continues to dominate the reins of power with broad international influence.
The other front, sponsored by former Secretary-General of the Brotherhood Mahmoud Hussein from Ankara, is trying to eliminate the London Front with a heavy blow and remove Munir from his position. Hussein derives his strength from the financial cover he enjoys, as he is one of the most important figures in the Muslim Brotherhood’s control over the financial affairs of the international organization.
