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The anti-American protests in Yemen are exposing deeper tensions and highlighting the fragility of the country’s transition, judging by the posts in CIPE’s invaluable Yemen Digest:
“On the eve of the U.S. embassy attack,” TIME magazine reports, “the President dismissed stalwart Saleh loyalist Major General Ali al-Anesi from his powerful posts as director of the Presidential Office and chairman of the National Security Bureau, as well as sacked four pro-Saleh governors across the country. The following morning, CSF forces under the command of Saleh’s nephew Yahya were pictured at a checkpoint outside the embassy signaling the mob of angry protesters to enter the premises. Video footage of the waning moments of the embassy attack showed exhilarated rioters embracing a CSF soldier before sprinting out of the compound.”
Shabab of Sanaa’s Musayk ignored for far too long The National — 19 September 2012
Many of the attackers appear to have come from Musayk, a crowded cluster of poverty nestled below where the US embassy now stands. When their fathers were born the whole area was little more than an empty slope where travellers rested their camels before entering Sanaa. Now, one generation on, it is a bifurcated world of private generators and privilege set off against their dismal world of absence. Nights in Musayk tend to be stifling and dark as the neighbourhood suffers through one of Sanaa’s routine electric outages.
Storming of US Embassy:
In Yemen, protests mask diverse views on anti-Islam video CNN — 19 September 2012
The Arab Spring showed that when Yemenis protest, they want justice and dignity, which are the core of democratic principles. The Arab Spring improved this situation because the U.S. demonstrated its support for the revolutionary movement in Yemen and other Arab countries. But Yemenis reject “democracy” such as this video, which allows the maligning of other faiths and beliefs.
The Silent Hand of Saleh Foreign Policy — 14 September 2012
So far, Yahya has largely managed to avoid much of the impact of the recent changes: He has yet to have his power undermined by being either being sacked from his position or moved to a lesser role, unlike his cousin, Tareq Saleh, who was previously head of the Presidential Guard and decided to retire rather than accept a new post under Hadi’s reforms. But the future prospects of Yahya maintaining his command look bleak. And Yemen’s ruling clans don’t go down without a fight; many here expected, and still anticipate, a backlash from the Salehs. And with the former president still living in central Sanaa, the presence and influence of his 33-year-long reign remains. Collusion between security forces and the Saleh family over Thursday’s events at the U.S. embassy in Sanaa would not be the first of its type. The supposedly spontaneous protests bore a striking resemblance to an embassy siege in Sanaa last year that many believe was orchestrated to prove a point.
Yemen embassy breach lays bare anti-US sentiment, military weakness Christian Science Monitor — 13 September 2012
In his statement, President Hadi alluded to lingering divisions within the Yemeni military, the result of last year’s uprising against his predecessor, Ali Abdullah Saleh, saying that they “contributed to the amplification” of today’s incident. Despite Mr. Saleh’s removal from power, many analysts continue to express concerns over what they characterize as “divided loyalties” within some branches of the Yemeni armed forces. ”The protests were expected,” said Abdulghani al-Iryani, a Yemeni political analyst. “But from the breaching of the embassy, it seems like someone has delved into muddy waters.” The bulk of the troops guarding the embassy appeared to belong to the Central Security Forces (CSF) a branch of the military led by former President Saleh’s nephew.
UN/International Community:
UN Council worries about Yemen AFP via Google News — 18 September 2012
The UN Security Council expressed concern Tuesday over a campaign to “undermine” Yemen’s interim government and a widening humanitarian crisis in the country. The 15-nation council discussed Yemen as tens of thousands of people staged protests in Sanaa to demand an end to immunity for ex-president Ali Abdullah Saleh. The country has also been rocked by attacks from Al-Qaeda and other militant groups against government officials.
Yemen’s political transition on track but facing serious challenges – UN envoy UN News Centre — 18 September 2012
“The transition is on track, but there have been challenges – serious challenges in various areas, including in the political and the security fields,” Jamal Benomar, the Special Adviser of the Secretary-General on Yemen, told reporters at UN Headquarters. Mr. Benomar, who recently returned from his 14th mission to Yemen, told the Security Council in a closed-door briefing that, for the State to be able to function, it will need to reassert its authority in various parts of the country, especially where armed groups are in control.
Benomar: Sanctions will be talked over in closed rooms of U.N. council Yemen Times — 15 September 2012
The international community is strongly committed to supporting Yemen through a comprehensive national dialogue as the sole route for peace, development, security and stability for all Yemenis, U.N. Special Envoy to Yemen Jamal Benomar said during a press conference Saturday. He commended President Abdu Rabu Mansour Hadi’s latest decrees that included the replacement of the head of the National Security Department as well as warning those wishing to disrupt the power transfer deal that punitive action would be taken in accordance with Chapter Seven of the U.N. Charter.
National Dialogue:
Yemen to investigate abuses during anti-Saleh uprising Reuters — 19 September 2012
Yemen will investigate alleged human rights violations that occurred during an uprising last year, officials said on Wednesday, possibly opening the way to prosecution of ousted President Ali Abdullah Saleh and his relatives. Saleh and his immediate family obtained immunity from prosecution under Yemeni law under a U.S.-backed deal sponsored by Yemen’s Gulf neighbors last year in return for the veteran president’s departure from office. He stepped down in February.
Houthi slogans sweep Sana’a Yemen Times — 20 September 2012
Houthi slogans noticeably spread during the past three days in streets and neighborhoods in the capital city, beginning from Hizyaz district in the south of the capital Sana’a and stretching to the heart of the city in the Al-Sila district and Bab Al-Yemen. Houthis hoisted placards on which a slogan reads, “Death to America, death to Israel, curses to the Jews and victory to Islam.” Houthis say the slogan will help revive Islam. The spread of this slogan coincides with an occasion held in Sa’ada under the name, “The Outcry Week.” Houthis bellow their slogan following each congregation prayer and during their mass gatherings, in addition to posting the slogan on every street.
An alliance yet to form Yemen Times — 17 September 2012
Based on cultural, social and historical analogies, the report anticipated the emergence of a political alliance between Taiz and the south. However, thus far, despite half of Aden’s population coming from Taiz—especially from Al-Hujaria—this alliance has yet to form.
CIPE is one of the core institutes of the National Endowment for Democracy, the Washington-based democracy assistance group.
