At this stage in its political transition Egypt should be in the news for its work trying to address the multi-faceted problems and challenges that its people face: democracy, poverty, security, illiteracy and social justice, among others.

Instead the country, its ruling military council in particular, is in the headlines for all the wrong reasons, the latest of which is accusing 19 U.S. NGO workers of illegally using foreign funds to sow dissension.

Not only has it, together with the government it formed, failed to turn a new leaf in the country’s path so it can face its challenges, but by its policies, whether those that are spontaneous, or calculated, it has exacerbated the problem by adding more hurdles in the way of achieving positive change in the country.

The ambiguity and primitive way of running the government is ultimately destructive, whether in their drive toward elections, the crafting of the constitution or the uncharted policy that has impacted negatively on the economy and the social welfare of the people.

Egypt’s unstable security situation, as we all know, has been catastrophic for all of its key economic fields, from journalism to agriculture, investment to tourism; the bread and butter by which Egyptians make their living. As a result, the country’s citizens are coming to rely more and more on aid coming from the Gulf or from the West. You would hope a country that is stepping out onto the route toward democracy might work to find a way to cut down on the reliance on aid.

Instead the country has spent its time and energy grappling with the International Monetary Fund over money it desperately needs.

This is a political power play, just as its charges against the U.S. NGO workers, who it seems clear will be freed eventually, and are incidents that prove Egypt cannot have their cake and eat it.

The ruling military council should focus on achieving good governance if they hope to lift the country from the brink of destitution to the potential it showed during its revolution, rather than continuing on their current path, keeping their people downtrodden and thereby creating fertile grounds for further protest that will never end and thus destroy the last signs of a vibrant revolution that the world witnessed.

Most of the decisions that have been taken by the council have been made as a reaction under pressure or an attempt to make policies that make them popular regardless of the damage they inflict on the country in the long-term. Such populist decision-making is very dangerous and not the work of statesmen.

Instead the council’s actions should be proactive and designed to achieve long-term goals. Otherwise their immaturity is a surefire way to make even the few content parties in the country, those whose self-interests are currently being served, abandon ship. The consequences of such Egypt in such a situation are too dangerous to imagine.