In my previous post, I questioned why it was assumed by most commentators that if he was forced out of power, Hosni Mubarak would have to go into exile. If reports that Mubarak’s wealth is as much as $70 billion come anyhere close to the actual figure, then that would be the reason right there.
The UK Guardian runs a story about his estimated wealth which it published yesterday. The story was repeated on Al Jazeera last night, and no doubt is now common currency. It would be interesting to look further into the sources of this information and discover any hidden agenda. Rumours, sometimes wildly inaccurate, are part of daily life in the Middle East – even more so in times of crisis.
But if these reports turn out to be true (and we’ll probably never know the definitive truth), then I dare say that millions of Egyptians living below the poverty line would not be best pleased to see Mubarak living in retirement in some heavily guarded palace in their midst.
So if he does go, it’s Jeddah ahoy – or possibly, according to yet another rumour, Bahrain…..
It wouldn’t be the first time an autocrat has lined his pockets through public office, and it won’t be the last. The rule seems to be: if you can, you will.