In 2011, the Yemenis rebelled against President Ali Abdullah Saleh for the following reasons: Troubled economy (poverty, increase in fuel and food prices), unemployment, corruption, and Saleh’s attempt to modify the constitution so that his son can inherit the presidency after the end of his term in 2013. Saleh has been removed but the problems of the Yemenis still remain. In fact they have worsened and have become more complicated than what they were during the pre-uprising era.
The problems that President Abed Rabbo Mansour Al-Hadi’s government has to deal with are grave and varied. There has not been any significant progress with regard to the improvement of socioeconomic conditions of most common citizens, who are still suffering from poverty and the subsequent social problems that these conditions generate.
The Yemeni government has asked the international community an economic assistance package of $ 10 billion to improve the basic infrastructure and security situation in the country, however, only $ 4 billion package was pledged in economic assistance, and there are no reports indicating the exact amount of aid received by the Yemeni government. Moreover, some international aid organizations have reported that Yemen is on the verge of food crisis.
With respect to government’s control of its territories and unity of the country, the government only extends its control over the capital Sanaa and some large cities. The rest of the country is controlled and governed by armed militant groups, who have extended and entrenched their control over other areas that weren’t previously within their grasp before the uprising, filling the vacuum of the lack of state control. So, the Yemeni government has to deal with these militant separatist groups.
These economic and political conditions have worked to deteriorate the security situation in Yemen, which was initially on shaky grounds before the uprising. Houthis are claiming political injustices and social discriminations, and seeking to have their own homeland in Saada, north of Yemen, where they can implement Shiite theocratic law. In 2009, Houthis made illegal incursions into Saudi Arabia’s territory. They were subsequently driven out by the Saudi armed forces.
Another terror group that is responsible for lack of security and stability in Yemen is Ansar Al-Shariah. This group is a military arm of Al-Qaeda in the Arabian Peninsula.
While Houthis control the northern region of Yemen, Ansar Al-Shariah is controlling the southern region, specifically Abyan and Shabwah, declaring these areas as Islamic emirates.
In addition to these security-destabilizing factors, there are tribal and local political entities that are seeking to sustain their long-enjoyed privileges. Tribal culture is always thriving in Yemen and is a crucial factor in constructing the Yemeni social and political realities. Most citizens are more inclined to pledge their allegiance to tribal chiefdoms than to the state. In other words, the sense of belonging to a tribe is stronger than belonging to a holistic state that treats all citizens as equals and applies the principles of the constitution and the rule of law. Moreover, it has been reported that the former president and his son still have their political influence in Yemen, and that could be considered as being another security-destabilizing factor.
The Yemeni situation can be improved by intertwining local and international solutions. The Yemeni constitution is expected to be rewritten, so it ought to be compatible with modern constitutions that emphasize equality, human dignity and the rule of law. Those principles can pervade the entire Yemeni society through teaching them in formal and higher educational bodies. Also, this initiative should be supported by effective participation of government agencies and civil organizations ensuring equal and just application of the rules of law.
Putting together a national conference that engages all Yemeni political, social and intellectual forces should shape the future of Yemen as a country and people, highlighting the importance of its unity for the objective of achieving stability, progress and prosperity. This conference would potentially embolden the entire population to collectively join forces and hold hands to work for a better future for Yemen.
The possibility of generating national enthusiasm for that objective is great. One of the striking observations that gained world’s admiration and respect was the self-control exhibited by the protesters during the uprising, despite millions of arms being in their possession. They chose not to use them in their conflict with their government.
They saw the use of arms would undermine their revolutionary objectives and also the future of their country as a result of a civil war.
The international community has a lot of stake in the stability of Yemen, mainly, for its geopolitical importance. Yemen overlooks the Bab Al-Mandab, which is one of three major oil supply routes in the Middle East region. It also controls the Aden port, better known as the “gate to Asia.” The other issue is that the terror groups that have found new safe havens in the absence of tight government control over the entire country.
Ansar Al-Shariah, an affiliate of Al-Qaeda, has launched several terror attacks on many Western interests since October 2,000 with the attack on the US naval vessel USS Cole until September 2012 with masterminding a car bomb attack in Sanaa that killed 11 people. Managing these serious problems is clearly beyond the capabilities of the Yemeni government. At the same time the world cannot stand idle as the security conditions deteriorate in the country. Yemen will be an international threat and the world cannot afford to ignore this threat.
An international conference, comprising Western powers, including China, Russia, and the Gulf states, as well as the United Nations and international financial organizations, has become a pressing need for addressing those Yemeni problems. Moreover, any contemplated economic assistance should be tied to adherence to the principles of good governance and the application of the principles of the newly written constitution and the rule of law.
World has a lot at stake in Yemen
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