Yemen daily news: February 2012

Saturday, February 25, 2012

Yemen new President sworn in

Yemen's new President Abdu Rabu Mansour Hadi took the constitutional oath before the Parliament on Saturday in presence of members of unity government and chiefs of diplomatic missions in Yemen.

After one year of wars of words and bullets, almost every one of the MPs and ministers of the conflicting parties, before the swearing in ceremony started, was hugging and kissing everyone as a sign of greeting and congratulating for ending the long standing crisis.

The majority of MPs belong to Saleh's party.

Earlier in the day, the supreme elections committee granted Hadi a certificate of winning as an elected president. Hadi won with 65 percent of the 10 million registered voters. Sone 6.5 million eligible voters voted for Hadi.

At the dawn of Saturday, the former president Ali Abdullah Saleh had arrived in the capital Sanaa and stayed in his own house.

Saleh will attend the installation ceremony of his successor Hadi on Monday, February 27th, 2012. Saleh will keep as a president of his party, the People's General Congress. (PGC).

Last Tuesday, the overwhelming majority of Yemenis voted for Hadi as a new president ending the 33-year long reign of the President Ali Abdullah Saleh,71.

The new President Abdu Rabu Mansour Hadi, was the sole candidate of consensus in exceptional elections viewed by the majority of Yemenis and international and regional community as the only way to rescue Yemen from a civil war.

Mr Hadi, 67, was highly supported by the international community when the two conflicting factions within Saleh's regime failed to end the one-year political crisis to the interest of one side.

Hadi is respected by almost all groups including those who defected from Saleh's regime and joined the youth revolution but failed to have what they called " revolutionary legitimacy" to be rulers.

Much of the respect given to Hadi from all Yemeni is because he is from the south which complains from being marginalized by the northerners.

Hadi served as vice president since after the 1994 civil war which erupted only four years after south and north united.

The last presidential elections was in 2006 when the former president Saleh was elected in an election described by the international community as " reasonably free and competitive" .

After about one year of anti-Saleh protests, Saleh now has gone, but his party and his supporters remain.

His party has 50 per cent of the ministries of the national unity government and his supporters were at least representing 50 per cent of the election turn out all our the country on this week's elections.

Saleh's party, the General People Congress(GPC), has now three operating Satellite channels, Yemen Today, Al Akeek, and Azal.

The vice chairman of the supreme committee of the elections Khamis Al Daini said the turn out " surprised every one".

Only 9 constituencies out of 301, which did not hold elections because of violent acts by those who refused the elections in the south because they demand independence.

The overall turn out was estimated at more than 70 per cent.

The Yemeni political leaders and international diplomats in Yemen described the elections as historic and as the only way to rescue the conflict-torn country from a civil war.

" The February 21st, is a historic day, and it protected Yemen from a civil war," said the UN envoy, Jamal Bin Omar, while visiting some of the polling stations in Sanaa on Tuesday.

"After elections,Yemenis will have a new social contract," added Bin Omar who orchestrated the Saudi-led and US-backed deal that led to such a political solution of the Yemeni crisis.

One day before elections, the former president Saleh called his supporters to vote for Hadi.

" Today, I would say good bye to the power, which should always be responsibility not a privilege," said Saleh from New York where he finished further medical treatments for burns and injuries he sustained in an assassination attempt last June.

Saleh declared he would attend the installation ceremony of Hadi which is expected to be held late this week or early next week.

" Saleh will definitely return and attend the installation ceremony," Saleh's secretary, Ahmed Al Sufi told the Weekly.

Al Sufi expected the installation ceremony to be held on Thursday February 23.

Saleh will return as a good and normal citizen as he always says,

Yemenis final goal not achieved yet:

The establishment of a civil state which protects rights and liberties of every one is the final goal, and changing Saleh with Hadi is the not the final goal of Yemenis.

The protesters in the streets still threaten to continue sitting in their tents until this final goal is achieved.

The 25-year old Mohammed Alwan, said Tuesday he is ready to stay in his tent all the two-year transitional period of Hadi or even more than that if the civil state is not established.

" Today I voted for Hadi, but I would keep staying in the tent until all our goals are achieved," said Mohammed shortly after he voted in a poll station inside the Sanaa university where the protests square is located.

Two big challenges

Before establishing the civil state which every one is dreaming, Yemenis with their new President Hadi need to open a comprehensive national dialogue to discuss and solve all big issues of those who refused the elections such as the issue of Al Houthi in northern province of Saada, and the issue of the south.

The second big thing to be done during the transitional period is the writing of a new constitution on which the would-be civil state will be based. France and Germany are helping Yemenis to write the new constitution.

In February 2014, a competitive presidential election is supposed to be held according to the new constitution. The elected president would set a date for parliamentary elections.

Al-Qaeda announces accountability of killing dozens of Yemen soldiers

By Mohammed al-Kibsi
Over 25 troopers and an elderly woman were killed and dozen others were wounded when a suicide bomber driving a Tia car broke into the main gate of the Republican Palace in Mukalla city in the south east of Yemen on Saturday afternoon, a security and local sources said.
The governor of Hadramout Khalid Said al-Daini affirmed that a suicide bomber detonated his vehicle at the soldiers at the gate of the Republican Palace at Fooh area killing at least 20 soldiers while were having their lunch>
Al-Dini said that the investigations are carried on to uncover the identity of the suicide bomber, adding that the car used in the bombing was turned into pieces scattered in the area of Fooh.

Meanwhile a spokesperson of al-Qaeda in the Arabian Peninsula told Reuter news agency that their organization was accountable of the blast adding that the attack was in response to the crimes committed by the Yemeni Republican Guards.
The attack occurred on the same day Abdu Rabo Mansour Hadi the new president of Yemen sworn in front of the Yemeni parliament as the new elected president.
Hadi in his speech on the eve of the election’s day vowed that fighting and eradicating al-Qaeda was a priority.

Thursday, February 23, 2012

Yemen in the aftermath of President Saleh

By Mohammed Humaid
It is difficult to imagine Yemen without president ali Abdulla saleh. Not that he was particularly good for the country, but simply because for the last 33 years the media have constantly barraged us with his images to the extent that he became a salad that comes with every menu. This was particularly true prior to the age of satellite stations that have invaded our airspace. When satellite first entered our airspace we were led to believe by those who feared for our morality that foreign media would spread indecency and obscenity. It turned out that those fears were at best misplaced and were in fact a pretext to shield our society from interacting with modern ideas.
The inordinate spotlight of the president and relative obscurity of all others reflected the injustice done to the 23 million plus people of this country and goes to show that that our culture is still tied to the middle ages where the leader is viewed as a superman who was born to rule, an omnipotent figure who knows all and knows best.
I remember writing an article marking the 25th anniversary since President Saleh took the reins of power. In that article I intended to give the audience a taste of the President’s past by alluding to his military background and the little political experience he possessed before becoming president and how, in spite of that, he managed to lead the country skillfully. One of my colleagues read the article that was prepared for the radio. I noticed a sudden change in his facial expression. “You can’t broadcast that.” He snapped . When I asked for the reason, he said “You can’t say the President had little political experience. You must say that he exceptionally talented and was destined to lead this country.” I got the point my colleague was making and decided to scrap the program.
One of the problems with long term dictators is that they diminish all possibilities of other leaders to appear no matter how talented they may be . Aspirations of gifted people are viewed as a potential challenge to their authority if they are not sponsored by them. No space for social mobility is allowed through the work process. The only possibility is through subordination and allegiance.
The Arab Spring has changed all that and have cracked the ceiling that used to limit peoples hopes and actions. Now people get a sensation out of expressing their new sense of worthiness , knowing that they won’t be punished any more by laws that were enacted to zip their mouths. This sensation has resulted in a flurry of expressive press articles, talk shows, protests, strikes etc. However, when it comes to constructive actions and taking stance people are still puzzled of what to make of the newly founded space and freedom. They know they have been empowered but are not sure how to put into good use. It’s like someone discovering a fortune but doesn’t know how to spend it Or having excessive energy energy that can either be constructive or destructive.
People have been used for too long of hearing about events that affect their lives but take no part in dictating their outcome. The February 21 elections are a good starting point for people to emphasize their will for change and assert their right to elect a new president. It may be argued that outcome of the elections is already known. This may be true but these elections will be the first time in the history of Yemen to lead to a genuine peaceful transition of power through the balloting box . A high turnout in the elections by the public will send a strong message to the whole world that Yemenis want a united, peaceful, secure and stable country.

Journalist/ economist
Mohammed.humaid@gmail.com

After escaped assassination attempt Baroness Emma Nicholson: Southern Movement couldn’t ban voters

By Mohammed al-Kibsi

Member of British House of Lords, Baroness Emma Nicholson has hailed the Presidential elections and described the early presidential election held on February 21 as very successful.

Nicholson said that the Southern Movement failed to ban the southerners from taking part in the presidential elections

On Thursday, upon her departure, Nicholson pointed to the high level of voter turnout in Aden governorate in spite of the boycott calls.

The Baroness also thanked the military and security forces for protecting the people in Aden governorate and for protecting her against the violent acts committed by the Southern Movement’s militants.

Baroness Nicholson and two Yemeni ministers escaped an assassination attempt when some militants affiliated to the Yemeni Southern Movement randomly fired machine guns at a vehicle boarding the Baroness and two Yemeni female ministers in Aden city on Tuesday, said security and local sources from Aden.

The baroness was accompanying the Yemeni minister of human rights Horya Mashhour and minister of state Jawharah Hassan to observe the presidential elections.

Eye witnesses said that unidentified militants fired machine guns at the motorcade of the baroness and that her vehicle was hit by at least 4 bullets.

However security sources affirmed that the Baroness and the two ministers were not hurt.

The security forces fired back at the attackers and forced them to runaway.

Local sources from Aden said that tens of militants affiliated to the Southern movement were deployed to Aden city in an attempt to foil the presidential elections.

The militants fired to the air so as to scare citizens and ban them from going to the elections centers. At least two kids were killed in Aden by the militants.

The head of the security committee of the Yemeni Elections and Referendums Commission judge Saba al-Haji affirmed that the elections were successful and that at least 80% of the voters turned out to the balloting centers to cast their voices. However he said that the elections were halted in 9 constituencies five of the in Dale province, three in Lahj province and one in Abyan province due to disturbance created by extremist militants.

Later on the day local sources affirmed that the Southern Militants forced at least 16 percent of the balloting centers in Aden to close down.

Some other violent events broke out in Shabwa province, and in Hadrmout province where the Southern movement militants clashed with the security forces in an attempt to foil the presidential elections.

Over ten million eligible Yemeni voters are expected to take part in the presidential elections to elect the sole candidate AbduRabu Mansour Hadi as a president of Yemen after President Saleh signed a GCC brokered deal to end the crisis in Yemen.

Baroness Emma Nicholson was head of the EU Commission for Observing Yemen’s Presidential elections in 2006.

She arrived in Yemen last week to take part in observing the early presidential elections to elect Hadi as a president of Yemen.

Emma Nicholson was appointed to the House of Lords in 1997. She is a member of the All-Party Parliamentary Group for Human Trafficking and speaks regularly on health care and education in the Middle East and Eastern Europe. Nicholson is also the Executive Chairman of the Iraq Britain Business Council, an organisation which facilitates business and trade investment in Iraq. Between 1999 and 2009 she was a member of the European Parliament, where she served on the Foreign Affairs Committee. Whilst there, she generated controversy through her strong opposition to international adoptions, which she believed had become a market and subject to corruption. The Romanian government implemented legislation to control the practice of de facto adoption as a result, in part, of her pressure.

Nicholson spent a decade in the Commons before gaining elevation to the peerage. For much of this time, she was a Conservative, only switching her allegiance to the Liberal Democrats in 1995 after declaring her disillusionment with the Tories. Before joining the latter party – and quickly gaining the position of Spokesperson for Overseas Development and Human Rights – Nicholson was a Parliamentary Private Secretary to Michael Jack, aiding him at the Treasury (1995), Ministry of Agriculture (1993-95) and Home Office (1992-93). She entered the Commons in 1987 as the MP for Devon West and Torridge. She had previously been vice-chairman of the party and director of fundraising at Save the Children. She joined the charity in 1974 after spending thirteen years working for a computer company, where she was a software designer and systems analyst. Nicholson was born in 1941.

Tuesday, February 21, 2012

Al-Qaeda attacks Yemen’s balloting centers, gunmen storm elections centers, soldier killed, four wounded in Mukalla, officials said

By Mohammed al-Kibsi

One soldier was killed and four others were wounded in Mukalla city of Hadramout governorate, an official source said on Tuesday.

Meanwhile Deputy Chairman of the General People Congress party (GPC) Abdul-Kareem Al-Eryani has accused Al-Qaeda and hardliners of the Southern Movement of attacking electoral committees in some governorates.

Gunmen have ambushed the soldiers, as they were removing stones from a street in Ghuaizi area in Mukalla, the source said.

The security authorities are hunting the perpetrators, he added.

Meanwhile, outlaws broke in some electoral stations in two districts of Hadramout, the source said.

The Supreme Commission for Elections and Referendum (SCER)'s members Saba al-Hajji and Sahel Hamza told reporters that some security incidents were registered in some stations; including a sniping incident killed security individual next to a polling station at the 124th constituency.

In addition to another incident in the 25th constituency, and the four perpetrators were arrested, they added, confirming that "these incidents will not affect the ballot."

The two officials asserted that the ballot forced to transfer the electoral stations of nine constituencies in Dali, Lahj and Abyan governorates.

In a press conference held on Monday evening, Al-Eryani praised the current coordination between GPC and the alliance of the Joint Meeting Parties (JMP), pointing out that both sides cooperate for the success of the presidential elections.

He said that the boycott of elections by some parties or groups would not affect on the election process.

According to one of Saleh’s aides Ahmad al-Soufi Al-Eryani is expected to be appointed as a vice president after the elections.

Al-Qaeda militants had killed the head of elections committee and the head of the security committee in al-Baida province four days before the elections day.

Obama reiterates US support for Yemen to achieve transition’s goals

By Mohammed al-Kibsi

US president Barack Obama confirmed Saturday his country's support for Yemen until ending the current crisis's aftermaths and achieving the transitional phase's goals.

Obama's statement was included in a letter handed over to Vice President Abdo Rabbo Mansour Hadi by US Deputy National Security Advisor for Homeland Security and Counterterrorism and Assistant to the President John Brennan.

The US president expressed his appreciation of the national magnificent role the Vice President has played during the crisis in Yemen.

"Hadi is enjoyed the regional and international confidence", Brennan said, pointing to the international community's understanding to the importance of supporting Yemen in the transitional phase to realize all the desired goals.

He accented the US would present all kind of assistance, especially in the critical circumstances Yemen is undergoing currently.

Brennan asserted that the US follows up closely the achievements in Yemen under the political settlement deal, voicing his country's satisfaction with the accomplished steps according to the Gulf initiative and the UN resolution 2014.

In return, Hadi valued highly the US president's good feelings and all efforts enhancing the political settlement in the country.

"We, in Yemen, are happy of the US partnership in tackling all issues", Hadi said.

The VP indicated to the great challenges Yemen faces, topped by restoring the security and stability in addition to enhancing the economic situation.

Baroness Emma Nicholson escapes assassination attempt in South Yemen

By Mohammed al-Kibsi

Member of British House of Lords, Baroness Emma Nicholson and two Yemeni ministers escaped an assassination attempt when some militants affiliated to the Yemeni Southern Movement randomly fired machine guns at a vehicle boarding the Baroness and two Yemeni female ministers in Aden city on Tuesday, said security and local sources from Aden.