Tamarod

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Tamarod, meaning “rebellion,” was an Egyptian movement formed in 2013 to oppose President Mohamed Morsi and pressure him to call early elections. It was reportedly funded by Egypt’s General Intelligence Service and the United Arab Emirates. The group aimed to collect 15 million signatures by June 30, 2013 (the one-year anniversary of Morsi’s inauguration) and claimed to have gathered more than 22 million by June 29. A counter-campaign supporting Morsi claimed about 11 million signatures.

Tamarod helped spark the large protests on June 30, 2013, which contributed to the military coup in July 2013. On July 3, 2013, the army ousted Morsi and installed Adly Mansour as interim president. Tamarod and other groups supported the ensuing “road map” and the post-coup government. Some opponents argued that police and security officials helped Tamarod collect signatures, and one opposition faction suggested some founders were trained by security services.

There was internal controversy. A faction within Tamarod—initially called Tamarod 2 Get Liberated—claimed Tamarod’s signature tallies were exaggerated and accused some founders of being state agents. Leaked tapes in 2013–2014 allegedly showed UAE funding and close ties between the military and Tamarod, though authorities questioned the tapes’ authenticity. Western officials later acknowledged UAE support for the protests.

Tamarod supported the crackdown on Morsi supporters, including the August 2013 Rabaa massacre, and urged demonstrations in support of the post-coup authorities. It faced criticism from some liberal and reformist groups for backing the military. Some Tamarod figures also joined the post-coup political process and called for mass demonstrations to back the new government.

In politics, Tamarod sought to register a party called the Arabic Popular Movement and indicated plans to participate in elections. A splinter group, Tamarud 2 Get Liberated, formed in early 2014, criticizing Tamarod for authoritarian tendencies and accusing some leaders of state links.