After a month of widespread national protests against the government and the increasing pressure on Yemen’s President to resign his position; the nation’s political crisis is fast approaching its tipping point.
The opposition is demanding drastic economical and political reforms in order to palliate to the chronic corruption of the elite, the spreading poverty and the high unemployment levels.
About a month ago, as the Egyptians were celebrating the ousting of President Mubarak, Ali Abdullah Saleh announced in a televised address to the nation that he would not run for office in 2013. Although this statement was intended to quench any form of protests; it only enraged the demonstrators further.
Most Yemenis protesters feel that given the strength of the revolutionary sentiment within the Arab Region, they have to use the current momentum to their advantage and not waver in their demands.
Faced with a multi-front opposition, the power savvy President is trying to not only reaffirms his political webs of support, but also to reach out beyond the elite of the nation by engaging with the people.On any given time, this would be a task of Herculean proportion; but with the added pressure of a Secessionist Movement in the South and the Sa’ada war in the North, it is entering the realm of the impossible.After decades of unity under Saleh’s rule, Yemen is breaking down at lightning speed.
Although, the President offered to raise the public sector salaries quite significantly and jobs to the unemployed, it did nothing to calm the spirits. The anti-government protests, inspired by the student movement, are now recruiting in all sectors of the society. Scholars, doctors, politicians, high and middle class men are joining in, infused by democratic sentiments.
This momentum has forced many politicians to acknowledge people’s yearning for change and to reassess their allegiance. Everyone still remembers Hussein Al-Ahmar’s flamboyant exit from the People’s Congress and the defection of influential cleric Al Zindani, who were followed by many more resignations of senior politicians. Even if Al Ahmar clan was for many years a declared opponent of the Regime, it was never working actively to the defection of the President. This “status quo” has clearly changed. As this powerful Hashid family carries much political weight and power, it poses a threat to an already shaky governmental coalition.
Even if the members of the opposition are scrambling to take control over the protests, they are still lagging behind what is looking more and more like an organic popular revolution.The situation is quickly deteriorating across the nation as more deadly clashes are reported. The mounting death toll and the repressive methods used by the government to stop the protests are enflaming the spirits.
If the opposition is calling for a compromise by giving President Saleh until the end of the year to organize a transition of power; the people are adamant that he should leave without any further delay.This difference in opinions, if not addressed might lead to further violence and a breakdown in communications with the street. This scenario would create the perfect opportunity for radical elements to swoop in and take control; preaching bloodshed and anarchy.
The US and the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia are watching warily the events unfold. If traditionally the Saudis pushed for a fragmented and somewhat unstable Yemen, they are now advocating unity. This change in sentiment is essentially due to the fact that in recent months the Al-Houthi conflict has been spilling over their own borders and they now fear an exportation of this democratic movement.
As for the US, it does not want to lose its footing in the region. Some reports actually suggest that the Americans are financing heavily some influential political figures in the hope that they will form the next government; leaving the Yemeni-American alliance intact.
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