Yemeni Reports and News by Majid al-Kibsi

UK raises annual assistant to Yemen to USD 330 millions

2012-08-15T02:03:00.000+03:00

By Majid al-Kibsi

At the end of a two day visit to Sana’a by Oliver Robbins, the British Prime Minister’s Deputy National Security Adviser stated that President Hadi’s decrees are a step closer to the peace of Yemen.

Robbins said “President Abd Rabbuh Mansour Hadi’s recent decrees continuing the restructuring of Yemen’s military and security institutions are a further step forward in bringing peace and security to this country.”

He also added “The UK, alongside the other international partners supporting the GCC Initiative, expect these moves to be implemented rapidly and in full. They represent a further step in the Implementation Plan and the application of UNSCR 2051."

More generally, he added that over the past two days he has been able to discuss the situation in Yemen with key officials, including the President. “I was able to hear how much progress Yemen has made towards stability, and discuss ways in which the United Kingdom might continue to support Yemen's efforts."

On Monday, Robbins met with President Hadi and told him that UK has decided to increase the annual support to Yemen up to USD 300 Million affirming UK keenness to support Yemen until it reach security and peace as well as helping in the transitional phase until its end.

He also mentioned to President Hadi that UK Prime Minister has received many reports about the Hadi’s decrees and decisions to implement the GCC initiative and strategy affirming the UK government help in recruiting assistance and support to implement the GCC.

UK Prime Minister also assured that the UK will not tolerate with anyone who intend to hinder the GCC initiative and the political settlement.

U.S. keen to support political settlement process in Yemen: Brennan

2012-08-12T14:56:00.000+03:00

By Majid al-Kibsi

President Obama’s chief counter-terrorism adviser on Wednesday defended the administration’s strategy to stem the growth of al-Qaeda’s affiliate in Yemen, saying its use of targeted killing is part of a wider approach that includes humanitarian, development and military assistance.

John Brennan called on at the Council on Foreign Relations in Washington all the political figures in Yemen to put the country's interests first and to prove their commitment to the Gulf initiative.

“President Barack Obama realized how big and overlapping are the challenges Yemen faces. Our comprehensive approach for Yemen includes humanitarian, development and military assistance,” he said.

He also added “This year alone, U.S. assistance to Yemen is more than $337 million. Over half this money, $178 million is for political transition, humanitarian assistance and development.”

The U.S. was and is still a strong and effective partner for political transition in Yemen, Mr. Brennan said.

While we help Yemen to meet its urgent humanitarian needs, we also help in the economic and development reforms required achieving a long-term progress, he said.

Brennan commended the efforts Yemen makes and the successes in the counterterrorism area, saying that the United States Agency for International Development (USAID) supports the Yemeni government's efforts to restore the infrastructure devastated during the armed confrontations in Abyan and Shabwa provinces as well as in local communities' rehabilitation.

“While we have aided the Yemeni government in building the capacity to deal with an AQAP insurgency that exists on the ground there, we’re not involved in working with the Yemeni government in terms of direct action or legal action as part of that insurgency,” Brennan said.
Brennan praised Yemeni President Abed Rabbo Mansour Hadi’s efforts since taking over in February, and he warned former president Ali Abdullah Saleh and his supporters to abide by an internationally negotiated agreement under which Saleh stepped down after 33 years in power.
With U.S. intelligence help and other indirect assistance, Yemeni forces this summer routed AQAP forces that had overtaken the southern towns of Ja’ar, Lawdar and Zinjubar.
A senior Yemeni official said in an interview that development assistance is urgently required in those areas to prove to the local populations that the government is capable of meeting their needs.
The militants “did smart things, like digging wells and hooking up electricity and telephones. People now have higher expectations,” said the official, who spoke on the condition of anonymity to press for early delivery of promised U.S. aid.

Hadi Restructure the Yemeni Military

2012-08-11T22:25:00.000+03:00

By Majid al-Kibsi

Yemeni President Abdu Rabbo Mansour Hadi issued two presidential decrees to form a Presidential Protection Force (PPF) and redeployed military brigades in several areas in a move that observers considered an attempt to restructure the Yemeni army and the dismantling of military power centers.

The Brigades affected by these decrees were the Republican Guard, led by the former president's son, Brigadier General Ahmad Ali Abdullah Saleh, and the First Armored Division, which owes allegiance to General Ali Mohsen Saleh, who split from the movement in favor during popular protests that swept Yemen last year.

The President Hadi issued a decree to form PFF which will compose of four brigades, including three belonging to the Republican Guard Corps, a 1 Special Guard and 1 General Protection and 1 General armored Republican Guard as well as a battalion belong to the First Armored Division which is the 314 Armored Brigade.

According to the decision these brigades will follow operationally the President and enjoys financial and administrative autonomy and separate property of all weapons and gear for the expense of the First Armored Division and the Republican Guard.

President Hadi also issued a decree to dispatch four brigades of the First Armored Division and four brigades of the Republican Guard military regions under the leadership of South and Central Military Areas.

In the meantime, the commander of the First Armored Division commander of North West Military Region, Major General Ali Mohsen Saleh issued a press release agreeing to President Hadi’s decrees and assured full willingness to implement any decisions issued by the President Hadi.

The press release stated "We support such decisions of national courage that serve the nation and re-cohesion of the units and military areas and achieve discipline and create conditions for the restructuring of the army and the armed forces to serve the interests of the country according to the vision and the national scientific-style formations for modern military in other countries, and in accordance with the requirements of the defense of the homeland and defend its sovereignty and national army loyalty to God and the homeland and the revolution and unity not only to persons or families. "

Yemen to receive humanitarian assistance over USD 337 Million from US

2012-08-10T22:56:00.000+03:00

By Majid Al-Kibsi

In addition to providing ongoing humanitarian assistance, the United States will continue to support the Yemeni people by delivering economic assistance, supporting good governance, encouraging expanded political participation, assisting with the development of a professional and capable security sector, and providing security assistance to combat the threat of violent extremism. The United States provided Yemen with $147 million in assistance in Fiscal Year (FY) 2011 and plans to provide $337 million in FY 2012 – the largest amount of assistance provided by the U.S. Government to Yemen to date.

According to Office of the Spokesperson in the US State Department, the United States will direct a significant portion of its assistance directly to the Yemeni people. This includes humanitarian aid as well as development and transition support. The United States provided $116 million in civilian assistance to Yemen in FY 2011 and plans to provide $178 million in FY 2012.

In regard to the Humanitarian Assistance, the humanitarian crisis in Yemen is among the most challenging in the world. There are nearly 550,000 Internally Displaced Persons (IDPs), over 225,000 refugees, and 140,000 migrants and asylum seekers who are in need of assistance. In addition, a recent United Nations study found that nearly half of the Yemeni population has neither access to nor the resources to acquire adequate amounts of food and nearly one million children under the age of five are suffering from acute malnutrition.

“The United States is the largest provider of humanitarian assistance in Yemen, and our aid addresses the emergency needs of the most vulnerable populations. The United States provided $62 million in humanitarian assistance to Yemen in FY 2011 and is providing nearly $110 million in FY 2012,” said the spokesperson office.

Yemen has experienced a significant transformation over the past year and is charting a path to democracy. A successful democratic transition will require Yemen to overcome a number of serious, complex, and inter-related challenges. The United States is supporting the Yemeni people’s efforts to achieve this goal through a comprehensive strategy that promotes political, economic, and security sector reforms that will enable the government to respond to the needs and aspirations of the Yemeni people.

The spokesperson assured that the United States will support Yemen’s significant transition and development needs. “We are focused on improving service delivery (health, education, and water) for vulnerable segments of the population, enhancing economic livelihood and growth opportunities, supporting representative government and participatory transitional processes, and providing Yemeni youth with meaningful civic, social, and economic opportunities. The United States provided $54 million in development and transition assistance to Yemen in FY 2011 and plans to provide nearly $68 million in FY 2012.”

It also added that the aspirations of the Yemeni people and the urgent humanitarian challenges cannot be fully addressed until the security situation improves. U.S. security assistance to Yemen is aimed at restoring stability and security to Yemen while building the capacity of the Yemeni government to combat the common threat of al-Qaida in the Arabian Peninsula (AQAP). The United States provided $31 million in security assistance to Yemen in FY 2011 and plans to provide roughly $47 million in Department of State-funded security assistance in FY2012, as well as $112 million in Department of Defense-funded programs to train and equip the Yemeni security forces to conduct counter-terrorism operations.

“Based on conditions in Yemen, we are gradually resuming previously suspended military assistance to components of the Yemeni military that are combating AQAP. The resumption of assistance to Yemeni forces includes equipment and limited training,” said the spokes person. He added “We will support efforts to reform and strengthen Yemen’s law enforcement and judicial institutions in order to enhance the rule of law.”

He also mentioned that in accordance with the political transition initiative, Yemen must restructure its armed forces under civilian control, and create a unified and professional leadership structure that serves the Yemeni people’s national interests. The United States is committed to supporting the Yemeni military as it undertakes this task.

UNHCR says IDPs return might be delayed

2012-08-10T22:40:00.001+03:00

By Majid al-Kibsi

UNHCR has warned that IDP return might take a longer time than it is expected due to the security risks of the land mines and the Un-Exploded Ordnance (UXO).

When the IDPs crisis, in the south, first began in May 2011, UNHCR mobilized in 24 hours to provide life-saving assistance to approximately 200,000 IDPs, in addition to direct support to the government.

“There is a possibility that IDPs may return to Abyan in the foreseeable future. Although some spontaneous returns to Abyan have already taken place, the pervasive presence of landmines and UXOs, a still fragile security situation, lack of basic services, loss of livelihoods and extensive damage to infrastructure are major obstacles to safe and sustainable return at present,” read the statement distributed by the UNHCR.

The press release added that UNHCR has pre-positioned necessary supplies for returnees. On 25 July, 2012 UNHCR handed over a 150kva generator to the Governor of Abyan to be installed in the Al-Raziy hospital in Zinjibar where most of the spontaneous returns have occurred.

In addition, UNHCR is building the capacity of local authorities to respond to the situation of the returnees. UNHCR, through its partner Society for Humanitarian Solidarity, has also opened an office in Zinjibar to provide assistance to those who have returned spontaneously, build response capacity and assist with protection and shelter concerns.

“UNHCR is committed to assisting the IDPs from Abyan wherever they are,” said Mr. Naveed Hussain. During his mission to the south in June, Mr. Hussain, UNHCR’s Representative in Yemen, met with the Governors of Aden and Abyan and noted that as areas become conducive to return and safe humanitarian access, UNHCR is prepared to support voluntary and sustainable returns to Abyan. While UNHCR closely coordinates with the government and other agencies on a response plan for Abyan, the Sub Office in Aden has continued to assist IDPs in their areas of displacement.

On the other hand, Mr. Ahmed al0-Kohlani, Head of the Executive Unit for IDPs Camps assured that the unit is holding constant meetings with the humanitarian agencies in Sana’a and Aden in order to coordinate a safe return for the IDPs.

“We have held meeting with the Yemeni Executive Mines Action Center (YEMAC) and the international humanitarian Agencies to fund YEMAC operations in order to haste the return of IDPs as soon as possible,” said al-Kohlani. He added “The problem now lays in the spontaneous returnees. We cannot deny the people from going back, and therefore we are facing a big challenge to make Abyan as safe as possible to save as many people as we can.”

In early July UNHCR provided a 40kva generator for the Hashid Health Center in Mansoora District, Aden that has already benefited over 29,000 persons to date, out of which 5,316 are IDPs (mainly women). During her mission to Aden in late July, Fathiaa Abdalla, the Deputy Representative, oversaw the construction of a movable one-room wooden shelter for a vulnerable IDP woman head of household who was living in a makeshift shelter made out of benches and plastic sheeting adjacent to a school that is being used as an IDPs collective center in Khormaksar district.

Over the last year UNHCR has distributed non food items to over 70,000 in Aden (both in and outside schools), Abyan, Al-Baida, Hadramout and Shabwa Governorates. In Aden UNHCR has also created alternative shelter space for over 600 IDPs that had been living in collective centers in schools, freeing up classroom space for some 6,000 students.

Interior Ministry warns of new terrorist attacks by al-Qaida

2012-07-27T00:17:00.001+03:00

By Majid al-Kibsi

The Interior Ministry notified security units to take caution as a laden explosive car is expected to strike key government and foreign facilities.

Security Officer stated on the condition of anonymity that the car is to reach Sana’a by Thursday, informing security check points to take extra caution and to be alarmed by the specifications of the car.

“They (Ministry of Interior) gave us information about the car type, Model and even plate number,” said the source.

On the other hand, the Ministry of defense announced that three terrorist attacks were foiled in the governorate of Aden on Thursday only.

The Ministry mentioned that security forces disarmed three explosive planted in three different locations in Aden.

The Ministry did not give more details regard the locations or the operations.

Moreover, the security forces has foiled last Sunday an explosion targeting the Political Security office in Aden. It also arrested terrorists wearing women’s clothes and military uniforms.

The attacks of al-Qaida has increased after the military annihilated the presence of al-Qaida in Abyan on June, which drove al-Qaida to threaten to launch a guerilla war all over Yemen.

Also Earlier this week, the interior has busted an al-Qaida cell located in the neighborhood of the Political Security headquarter in Sana’a. The cell consisted of underage youth.

This came within the busting of many cells follows al-Qaida in Sana’a and all the way to Abyan a week before Ramadan.

Currently, the security forces are on alarm state in expectation of any terrorist act carried out by al-Qaida during the holy month of Ramadan.

Landmines threaten IDPs return to Abyan

2012-07-27T00:15:00.000+03:00

By Majid al-Kibsi

About half a million Yemenis are living as IDPs, due to the conflicts in the north and south of Yemen, stated International agencies working in Yemen. In Aden, many schools are still crowded with the IDPs who have fled from Abyan seeking refuge in the neighboring governorate of Aden and living in hard circumstances.

Among the threats that forbid the citizen from heading back are the landmines and the Unexploded Ordnance (UXO). Yemen Executive Mine Action Center (YEMAC) has mentioned that 1875 explosive were found in Abyan during the last two months (June and July) which varied among 12 Anti-Personnel mines, 22 Anti-Tanks mines, 1494 UXO and 347 booby traps.

During this period four engineers from YEMAC has been martyred in result to these traps.

According to Ali al-Sagheer, Engineer in YEMAC, there are many areas that are invested by mines some goes back to the era of British Occupation and some to the civil war in 1994. “Whenever we finish some of these areas, a conflict occurs and then we have to work on it again,” said al-Sagheer. He also added “Today, we are working on clearing the landmines in Abyan.”

Earlier last week, Executive Unit for IDPs Camps met with officials and representatives of international organizations working in Yemen to discuss the return of the IDPs back to their towns.

During the meeting headed by the chief of the Executive Unit, Ahmed al-Kuhlani, the situation of internally displaced people from the province of Abyan was brought up. According to al-Kuhlani, some of the IDPs have returned to their homes and villages spontaneously.

Within the meeting, al-Kuhlani indicated that the de-mining carried out in the province of Abyan was addressed with a dedicated de-mining project which completed 60 percent of the area so far.

“We are still waiting for a confirmation letter from the De-mining Authority as well as the map that shows the green areas,” said al-Kuhlani. “A map will be distributed to the working organizations in order to facilitate their work and make it safer for the IDPs to return,” he added

According to al-Kuhlani, the mines were mostly found in the demarcation lines between the army and al-Qaeda, stressing that life is going back to normal in the province of Abyan.

“President Abdo Rabbo Mansour Hadi, has stressed the importance of relocating all IDPs relief agencies offices to the provine of Abyan to including the Operational Unit,” mentioned al-Kuhani adding that the Governor of Aden has stressed the haste of returning all IDPs to their village so that the schools in Aden occupied by the IDPs camps could get rehabilitation in order to resume teaching in the next semester.

The meeting was attended by a number of representatives from international and national agencies operating in Yemen.

Yemeni Olympic delegation departs to London

2012-07-22T13:02:00.000+03:00

By Majid al-Kibsi

The countdown to the London 2012 Olympics continues and with just 6 days to go the Olympic Flame has now arrived in London, making a spectacular entrance to the city via helicopter.

Fatima Sulaiman Dahman

To mark the occasion and to wish the Yemeni team of athletes and National Olympic Committee the best of success at the games, the British Charge d'Affaires, Sharon Wardle welcomed their representatives to the British Ambassador's residence. She was joined by the Minister of Youth and Sport, Moammar Al-Eryani.

Nabil Mohammed Al-Garbi

The Athletes participating this year in the London 2012 Olympics are Ali Khosrof in the Judo for Men 60kg, Tameem Mohammed Ahmed Al-Kubati in Men’s Taekwondo 58kg, Nabil Mohammed Al-Garbi Athletics for Men 1500 M and Fatima Sulaiman Dahman for women’s Athletics 100M.

The players promised in the reception to present their best and to make extraordinary affort to raise the flag of Yemen high in the UK. “We are well prepared and ready to participate in the games. We will make it,” said Khosrof to the Yemen Observer. His colleague al-Kubati assured the same and added “We will meet Yemen expectations and represent Yemen in the best way.”

In her remarks, the Charge d’Affaires passed on a message from the Foreign Secretary in which he said:

Tameem Al-Kubati

Ali Khosrof

"I want to say a great warm welcome to everybody who is coming to the Olympic Games. We have organized here in the United Kingdom what we hope will be one of the greatest Games ever... We're looking forward to everyone being able to cheer on their competitors, their favorite athletes from all over the world. Enjoy the Olympic Games."

The Charge d’Affaires complimented the Yemeni athletes on their proud tradition of participation in the Olympic Games which began at the Barcelona Olympics in 1992.

It is noted here that Yemen participated in the Olympics in 1992 for the first time after unification, but the first time was back in 1984 in Los Angles in United States.

Since that date Yemen has participated in all Olympic games and in the Olympic Games held in Sydney 2000 the world witnessed Hana Ali Saleh as she became the first Yemeni female athlete to compete in the Olympic Games.

“Of course this year the Olympic Games this year coincides with the holy month of Ramadan, a very special time for all Muslims. In addition to the facilities provided within the Olympic village, Muslim organizations in the UK are using the opportunity to celebrate Ramadan by launching Iftar 2012 to welcome athletes and visitors coming to London,” said Wardle as she added that The mosques involved in the program will be serving Iftars to allow visitors to break the fast and it will be welcoming athletes and visitors to their facilities.

The London Olympics take place from 27 July to 12 August and the Paralympics Games take place from 29 August to 9 September.

The Games will include more than 200 countries, over 10,500 Olympic athletes, more than 4,200 Paralympics athletes and over 14,000 officials.

The event will centre on the Olympic Park in East London, home to the Olympic Stadium and key venues such as the Aquatics Centre. Other events, such as football and sailing, will take place across the UK.

Executive Unit discusses IDPs return to Abyan

2012-07-21T13:41:00.000+03:00

By Majid Al-Kibsi

Executive Unit for IDPs Camps met with officials and representatives of international organizations working in Yemen to discuss the return of the IDPs back to their towns.

Also, the meeting discussed the Mechanism, identification process and coordinating the assistance to be provided from organizations to the internally displaced persons returning to their villages and homes. Moreover, the meeting discussed the establishment of an operations room to coordinate and facilitate relief operations.

Within the meeting, al-Kuhlani indicated that the de-mining carried out in the province of Abyan was addressed with a dedicated de-mining project which completed 60 percent of the area so far.

According to al-Kuhlani, the mines were mostly found in the demarcation lines between the army and al-Qaeda, stressing that life is going back to normal in the province of Abyan.

Al-Kuhlani stressed the importance of coordination among the organizations working in the area and local authorities to provide assistance to those affected in the province by the conflict with Ansar al-Sharia'ah, an off-shoot of al-Qaeda terrorist, as well as coordinating with the Operational Unit to provide aid to displaced people in Aden and to ensure that aid includes all those affected and displaced through a unified effort by international organizations and the executive unit and local authorities.

He emphasized that the return of IDPs to their homes is voluntarily referring to the form where the data should be filled for those wish to return to their homes in Abyan in order to facilitate the task of their return, emphasizing on the need to provide drinking water and electricity in order to ensure the normal life in Abyan.

The meting was attended by a number of representatives from international and national agencies operating in Yemen.

Ukraine demands compromises from Yemen to Accept WTO bid

2012-07-21T13:37:00.000+03:00

By Majid al-Kibsi

Ukraine demanded decreasing costumes fees of some commodities including decreasing Iron costumes to 0% according to the Minister of Industry and Commerce.

Sa’ad al-Deen Bin Talib, Minister of Industry and Commerce mentioned that the Yemeni government demanded in the latest bid presented to Ukraine that the Iron costumes decreased to 5% after Ukraine refused the bid offered by Yemen to join the World Trade Organization (WTO).

“Yemeni Government is still waiting for the answer of Ukraine positive or negative and accordingly, next step shall be determined,” said Minister of Industry.

Ukraine defied demands to let Yemen join the WTO and has accused other countries of violating its sovereignty and their own responsibility to remain neutral, according to a confidential letter seen by Reuters on Tuesday.

The Ukrainian letter, circulated among WTO members on Monday, said Kiev was being subjected to “inappropriate” pressure to consent to Yemen's membership, amounting to “interference” in the process.

Ukraine's stance puts it at odds with the WTO's 154 other members, all of whom are ready to let Yemen join, 12 years after it first applied for membership.

Many trade diplomats say they are puzzled by Ukraine's stance as it has little or no trade with Yemen. They say its stance forms part of a wider pattern of behavior involving aggressive tactics.

Under WTO rules every country has an effective veto on new members because countries wanting to join have to agree terms with every existing member, as well as bringing domestic laws into line with those of the rest of the trading club.

Kiev's resistance is causing friction because the WTO has just drafted new guidelines to make it easier for “least developed countries” like Yemen to join, with existing members expected to limit their demands for tariff cuts.

The new guidelines are set to be approved at a meeting of the WTO's General Council next week, which will also examine the question of what is delaying Yemen's attempt to join the WTO.

Ukraine said in its letter that the idea that Yemen was unable to offer further tariff cuts was unacceptable, and that diplomats chairing the WTO bodies involved would be violating their neutrality if they took Yemen's side.

It said it was taking a pragmatic and flexible approach and had not yet decided whether to accept Yemen's latest offer on tariff cuts, made on June 19.

It blamed Yemen for the slow progress of its bid to join, saying that constructive negotiations had begun only at the end of May, since when there had been significant progress.

Yemen's frustration prompted it to ask three senior WTO diplomats earlier this year to help it reach a deal with Ukraine.

The diplomats sent Ukraine's delegation a letter on July 6 and plan to convene a meeting on Yemen's bid on July 23, two days before the WTO plenary meeting, at which all eyes will be on Ukraine's representative.

Ukraine said it was “deeply disappointed” by the letter and particularly wanted an explanation of one sentence, which read: “It is also our firm conclusion that no further revised or improved offer should be reasonably expected from Yemen”.

Ukraine said it considered that sentence to be designed to encourage Yemen to halt bilateral negotiations and put pressure on Ukraine.

Yemen Celebrates the World Refugees Day

2012-06-20T13:02:00.000+03:00

By Majid al-Kibsi

World Refugee day aims to draw the public's attention to the millions of refugees worldwide who are forced to flee their homes. Yemen has celebrated this Wednesday with this occasion in order to note the issues of the refugees and the hardship they face.

Naveed Hussain, UNHCR’s Representative in Yemen, while visiting a school in the Crater district in Aden on 17 June that has been used a collective centre for the displaced from Abyan assured that the World Refugees Day is a reminder of the importance of addressing displacement across borders and at home.

On 4 December 2000, the United Nations General Assembly in Resolution 55/76 decided that, from 2001, 20 June would be celebrated as World Refugee Day. In this resolution, the General Assembly noted that 2001 marked the 50th anniversary of the 1951 Convention relating to the Status of Refugees.

Yemen is the only country in the Arabian Peninsula to be signatory to the 1951 Refugee Convention and its 1967 Protocol. In 1987 UNHCR established its operations in Yemen and in the south in 1992 in response to the large-scale influx of Somali refugees.

Today, Yemen faces major challenges with refugees, internal displacement (IDPs) and mixed migration.

Somalis are granted immediate prima facie refugee status, while other nationalities must go through a Refugee Status Determination (RSD) and UNHCR has also been providing assistance to IDP populations in the north and south.

UNHCR Calls on International Community to Help Yemen Address Displacement Crisis

The UNHCR called International Community to help Yemen address displacement crisis as the Internally Displaced Personnel (IDPs) numbers has increased.

Yemen is in the midst of a complex emergency and its humanitarian needs continue to grow at an alarming rate with record-high levels of displacement of its own citizens; there are over 170,000 registered internally displaced persons (IDPs) from Abyan and a further 314,000 Yemenis displaced due to conflicts in the north. Despite this, Yemen continues to live up to its international obligations and hosts over 224,000 refugees, mainly from Somalia. As well, due to drought, conflict, political instability and human rights violations in the Horn of Africa, there has been an increasing influx of people fleeing across the Arabian and Red Sea into Yemen in search of safety, protection and economic opportunities. There were over 103,000 new arrivals in 2011 and 51,000 people have arrived along Yemen’s shores so far this year. UNHCR provides assistance and protection to some three quarter of a million refugees and internally displaced persons, working across the country in the areas of greatest need.

UNHCR has been responding to the IDP crisis in the south since it first began in May of last year, providing life-saving assistance to IDPs. UNHCR recently created alternative shelter space for over 600 IDPs that had been living in collective centres in schools, freeing up classroom space for some 6,000 students. The office has also been responding to the recent developments in Abyan, providing assistance to those who have returned already and is gauging the intent of the people from Abyan that have found refuge in Aden and other southern governorates. Most families are eager to return and have sent their young men to check on properties and assess the general situation. UNHCR has always considered return to a person’s place of origin as a preferred solution, provided conditions are conducive to return. UNHCR has been assessing areas of potential return, supports the needs and interests of the displaced and recognizes the IDP’s concerns over safety as well as the availability of livelihood opportunities.

“Addressing displacement is a key component of promoting stability in the country. No meaningful or lasting resolution to these conflicts can be achieved without addressing the plight of Yemen's internally displaced persons,” Mr. Hussain went on to say. “UNHCR continues to support the government’s efforts to assist refugees, for whom Yemen has always shown great hospitality, and for the Yemenis displaced from their homes due to conflict. Yemen also needs the continued support of its neighbours and the international community during this critical transitional period in order to ensure peace and stability in the country and the region.”

Security forces arrests six brothers over suspicion of al-Qaeda

2012-06-19T12:43:00.001+03:00

By Majid al-Kibsi

Armed security forces arrested six brothers from their family house over the suspicion of being al-Qaeda members on Sunday June 17.

Eyewitnesses assured that on Sunday, three security cars filled with armed men broke into the house of Ali Jameel, an old man in his seventies, and arrested all his male sons whom ages rate from 20 to 35.

“They have taken every man in the house,” Said an eyewitness who refused to mention his name and he added when asked about the reason “You know why they would be arrested.”

Another source mentioned that they were arrested due to their religious orientation which is sympathetic to al-Qaeda.

The father said to one of the neighbors that they were arrested unfairly without any clue or a reason to be suspected.
Moreover, he mentioned that the forces which he did not know for which security department they are, “stole” the furniture as well as the computer and mobiles in the house. “They filled a truck with what they have stolen from the house,” said Jameel.

Jameel also assured that his sons were all at home because they wanted to build a third floor to the house and has already bought the materials to do that.

On the other hand, Jameel said that he is not sure whether it was the National security or the political security that arrested his sons.

Staff Union ends a ten years old conflict between TeleYemen and its staff

2012-06-16T12:39:00.000+03:00

By Majid al-Kibsi

After a decade, the Prime Minister yield to the agreement between the Yemen International phone calls company (TeleYemen) and the Union of its staff on Saturday June 16.

The agreement between the general committee of the TeleYemen staff union and the company board resolved different issues, such as the rights of the retired and deceased employees which was the center of argument for 2 decades.

This resolution came after a meeting for the union, attended by 298 emoployees out of 352 where the majority approved to the agreement between the company and its staff.

Prime Minister, Mohammed Salem Ba Sendwah blessed the agreement and promised to implement it stressing all parties to work hard in order to develop the telecommunication sector in Yemen.

A Ministerial Committee was formed from the Minister of Telecommunication, who headed it and Ministers of Parlimant and Shura Affairs, Finance, Justice, Civil Service and Insurances, Legal Affairs and Ministers Council Affairs.

The committee was held in charge of studying the conflict between the employees and the administration of the company after the threats of partial strike and the escalation to full strike by the employee.

In a press statement, the committee assured that the strike carried by the employees has hindered the work of the company causing damages in the company services and in the financial outcome of the company which goes to the treasury.

According to the statement, the committee reached an agreement that saves the rights of both sides and ends the ten years old conflict in regard to the retirement rewards.

In 2002, TeleYemen staff sued the company demanding to annul the clearance agreement in 1989 and demanded their retirement rewards starting the date of appointing, the case remained in the court for ten years where 6 verdicts were issued ending with the Supreme Court verdict on March 2012.

Media is yet to appreciate the value of caricature in Yemen

2012-06-15T19:59:00.004+03:00

By Majid al-Kibsi

Kamal Sharaf is a Yemeni caricaturist who has participated during the youth revolution that started last year with his caricatures and calls for a civilized state. His caricatures invaded facebook pages as the people shared them for their reflection to the reality.

In his caricatures, Kamal always stood against the three elements that sabotage the Yemeni society; those who mischief in the name religion, mischief in the name of politics and the Sheikhs who mischief in the name of tribe.

With his unbiased caricatures, he made many attackers on facebook who were accusing him of being many things. The Yemen Observer’s Majid al-Kibsi met Kamal Sharf and asked about these issues as well as many others:

The price of ideas

Majid al-Kibsi: Can you tell us how you became a caricaturist?

Kamal Sharaf: In 2007 I became a professional caricaturist I worked in other fields yet the caricature has always been my passion and top priority.

MK: What the Yemeni people think of the caricature, and how important it is for them?

Sharaf: Caricature is public art in general. It targets normal, cultivated and all levels of society a like in a simple language that summarizes their hopes and expectations. It is very important and as old as the history. The hieroglyphic carved in the ancient Egypt as well as the sphinx are caricature.

The influence of this art represent the awareness, a scream that expose all mischievous and spotlighting the negativities.

In my opinion, the youth revolution in Yemen has revived the caricature art and gave it more audacity, clearer and better than before.

MK: What are the challenges that face the Caricature in Yemen?

Media outlets editors in Yemen still consider the caricature as an accessory addition to the newspaper, they didn’t realize yet that it is an essential column in any newspaper. The attention to the caricaturists is still weak from the government, the cultivated and the press. However, the caricature has proven strong in Yemen and was acknowledged due to its strength and influence.

Another issue, many publishers do not respect the author copy rights. Some media publish my works with o permission, and this reflects how all copy rights in Yemen are violated in the open.

The least that they can do is to take permission especially if these are old works, ethically they should call and ask for permission and I don’t care about the financial revenue since they are old works but they should respect the author and his copy rights.

Moreover, there are English written newspapers that takes the works and translate it into English wrongly, this sabotage the idea behind the work.

Another obstacle faces caricature in Yemen is that there is no union for Yemeni caricaturists and no attention paid to the art in general. The caricaturist abroad is respected as an ideologist.

MK: What is the message that you hope to deliver through your caricatures?

A recent statement by al-Islah Party addressed al-Zindani as
Professor instead of Shiekh

In my works I try to expose three actors in the Yemeni politics. The actors are the ones who held the alleged to act by the name of the country, the ones who alleged speak in the name of the religion and the tribe. These three elements are the ones that create the catastrophes in this country. My job is to focus on them and show the people how they support each other. For example Saleh’s regime was supported by the “allegedly Religion guardians” who are actually the Muslim-brothers movement and the tribe was giving these religion guardians a social statue by its strengths, weapons and oppressing the public.

MK: And how did you delivered this message to the people?

I tried to deliver it with simple tools in such as sarcastic character, very strong sketches and I tried to deliver very simple ideas, sometime it did not include any text on some of my work in order to address every person.

Even if I didn’t write a text on it, the general caricatures would always have the idea so clear.

MK: You are fighting the terrorism in many of your works, why did you dedicate your caricatures to this issue?

Tribal armed men keep on attacking power lines in Yemen.

I consider it as a great threat to our society that a man would say that he represents Allah and the religion and alleged that Allah is a weapon to kill incents people with. This issue has many grave consequences in giving the chance for western forces to use it against us like what happened in Iraq. It also makes our depressed youth a simple pray to fall in their trap by using the religion to allure them, and we are Muslims and believers and religion has a great importance in our lives.

These people take advantage of those things to achieve their advantages led by their twisted ideology. It is a threat and an internal danger which attacks us through our religion and traditions.

We have to break the sacredness of these idols, not everyone who has a long beard has become a holy man. Here comes our role in breaking this sacred taboo and comment with a caricature.

MK: You have participated in lighting candles for the souls of the Saba’een martyrs who were killed in the Terrorist attack on may 21. However, you were condemned by the revolution youth, can you tell us why?

Kamal Sharaf was arrested two years ago for making fun of the former president Saleh, when he was released he continued to expose all wrong doing in Saleh regime

It wasn’t by all the change youth, only some of them. Some revolutionists understand that we went to the streets to demand reviving the country and against killing whether in al-Saba’een or al-Sitteen. That is why I went along with some of the youth protestors to the Saba’een square and light up the candles after a week of the terrorist attack that killed the soldiers, Yemeni souls. We are against that, against the terrorism and against killing any Yemeni. That is why we put flowers on that location as a simple of life and to express our refusal to the policy of death and the terrorism that aims to destroy our lives.

MK: Many of your caricature, in precise the ones that impersonate a religious man you gave him a red beard, who do you suggest in these caricatures?

Who uses the other?

Since the character has a red beard, people believed it was al-Zindani but I have explained more than once that I don’t mean him in precise but I meant the radicalism and the twisted ideologies in general.

Never the less, I also have some critic against al-Zindani, I criticize him as a politician not as religion cleric and this is within my rights. Al-Zindani has been more politician than a cleric.

MK: Many readers of you caricatures are accusing you of being a member of al-Houthi movement due to your caricatures orientation. Why is that?

The bad health care in Yemen

Recently, anyone criticize Muslim-Brothers movement and the forces that ridden on the back of the revolution, is automatically categorized either a Houthi member or from the regime remnant and this is an issue. Moreover, I have all the right to sympathize with al-Houthi movement, they are part of this society, but if they commit any actions that hurts the society, I will criticize them same as the other forces in Yemen.

MK: but how was the caricature role within the revolution in 2011, has the caricature achieve anything?

The Caricature was a revolutionary comrade in the revolution. It attended all the demonstrations and shouted loud and influenced the people. It was posted in every tent and not only caricature drown by professionals, it was drown by amateurs as well.

Everybody in the change square drown a caricature that reflected their hopes and dreams and explained why they have taken to the streets.

MK: But how do see the future of the caricature in Yemen?

The youth revolution has revived the caricature and reached the people by reflecting the reality. Caricatures in the past were mere comic strips or soft social critic. In the revolution, the people realized that the caricature could become very bold and daring political critic. The bolder the caricature is against the ones who takes cover behind religion, country and tribe the more influence.

MK: what is your last work you have done and why?

Last work is about Sheikh Hussien al-Ahmar and his new established national coalition for civilized state (Sharaf breaks in laugher). I have drawn the reality in a caricature which attracted many people.

What he actually did was a caricature in its own, look at this; influential tribal sheikh came to a conference hall with armed men and escort to lead a civilized coalition. It is caricature already.

The man should understand what civility is before he appoint himself as the leader of a civilized coalition.

MK: What about you, what kind of a state you call for?

I want Yemen to be a civilized secular state, and it would satisfy all citizens in my opinion. We have a nice secular module such as Turkey, where religion, society and everyone is respected. As a citizen I wish to live in my country with my honor untouched, my believes and faith respected.

Even the tribe can play a positive role in this, the most important is to agree to the basics and carry it on, I hope that the national dialogue will get positive results.

MK: have you targeted the National Dialogue in your works?

I haven’t done anything about it yet because it hasn’t started yet and its features are still foggy. I can’t predict if it will carry out in a positive or negative way, but we could only hope it would be for the best.

MK: What is the final message you would like to say to the people who read and view your caricatures?

Difference in opinion and drawing people in some way it doesn’t mean that I hate them personally; I only criticize their practices especially the political actors who we are entitled to criticize them. Globally these people are criticized in bolder and more intensive way than we do in Yemen, and it is very natural outside Yemen.

We must understand that it doesn’t reflect hatred or a personal grudge, I am only criticizing these politician’s behaviors and it is my right to do so.

Whenever I make a caricature, some of the character seems to have a special holiness, the followers of this person influenced negatively. Some of them have been made into an idol to worship. It has became natural to make your own idol and worship it. After Saleh many idols has emerged, everyone has made his own idol that he worship and when I criticize someone I start to receive accusation that I am holding grudge and personal hatred.

Yemeni inventors to discuss their inventions in Germany

2012-06-14T20:13:00.001+03:00

By Majid al-Kibsi

Two Yemeni inventors were invited to visit two universities and a research center to discuss their inventions which they exhibited earlier in many international exhibitions where they received many awards.

The inventors Hani Baja’alah and Fahd Ba Eshin who invented the life cabinet and the doctor chair will be discussing their invention for 25 days during their visit to Germany.

Governor of Hadramaut felt proud as he met the inventors in Mukalla city with the honorable achievements of the inventors.

The first invention is a “Life Cabinet” which was designed for the civil aviation planes and has separate cabinets where each holds 12 passenger if a fire erupted , so that the plane could land safely and at the same time act like life boats and minimize the casualties.

The other invention is a “Doctor Chair”, which aims at providing medical supervision to the passenger and diagnose the passenger’s health status to inform the captain if the passenger ‘s life is in threat so that the pilot could land as soon as possible to get the passenger required treatment and safe his life.

The two inventors assured that this would be a great chance for them to introduce their inventions and look into getting opportunities to adopt and invest in these inventions.

Armed Tribesmen escort the Civilian Collision

2012-06-10T20:14:00.002+03:00

Courtesy from artist, Hussien al-Ahmar announces a civilized coalition

By Majid al-Kibsi

The National Coalition for a Civilian State held a press conference on Sunday to answer all the questions held by the journalist who were waiting for this chance to rain him with many questions, starting with how a tribal leader is calling for a civilian state.

Answering media questions, Hussien al-Ahmar , head of the Modern National Solidarity and member of the coalition assured that it takes two things to civilize the tribe; education and development.

According to al-Ahmar the past era has created a new tribe different from what tribes are really are. Many traditions such as kidnapping, killing and blocking the roads were emerged, which reflected a negative image of what tribes really are.

He also assured that tribesmen really seek peace and stability and that they would give up their weapons if the state was civilized and implemented its authority.

Like he did on Sunday, al-Ahmar was escorted by his heavily armed men who surrounded the hotels which he announced the civilian coalition from.

Within the announcing of the coalition, al-Ahmar who is a tribal leader and the son of the biggest Sheikh in Yemen mentioned that the coalition will accept all the political actors who would like to join.

Mohammed al-Mutwakkel, Secretariat General Assistant of the public forces party, and a JMP leader member called in the conference for an equal citizenship for women and non-Muslim citizens in Yemen.

From eggs hatches art, First Egg Art exhibition in Yemen Inaugurated

2012-06-09T20:20:00.002+03:00

By Majid al-Kibsi

This time the egg did not hatch a little bird, it hatched fashionable piece of art that decorate any palace with elegance and beauty.

Farha Sayeed, the spouse of the Indian Ambassador has opened her exhibition of egg art which she called (Eggspressions). The exhibition held dozens of eggs that amazed the audience who came from diplomatic missions and Yemeni Government as well as art lovers in Yemen.

The audience expressed their astonishment with way Farha carved the fragile egg shells making it into a wonderful piece of art.

Minister of Culture, Dr. Abdullah Mandhooq opened the exhibition; he commended the exhibition and wished for more similar exhibition.

“It shows how precise her work is,” said Abdulrahman al-Eryani Consultant for the Minister of water, Environment and sustainable development.

Farha, who holds a Bachelor's degree in English Literature, pursues varied interests in arts and crafts. While she has a passion for Egg Decoration that she picked up twelve years ago and Silk Painting, she is equally adept at charcoal painting, Thermo Cole painting, Tile Painting, Aluminum foil work, Glass Painting, glitter and zardori work and soft-toy making.

To make this wonderful piece of arts, Farha takes the eggs and turn them from a fragile plain sphere into an artistic piece of decoration that in a process that takes almost three to four weeks to complete a piece, “it is a lengthy process. There is the cleaning of the eggs, disinfecting them and treating them and working on it so it is a lengthy process.”

Farha's collection of decorated eggs was first displayed in October 2003 for a month by the Art Lovers' Group of H. Lundbeck A/S, Denmark.

Farha's maiden full-fledged solo exhibition of Decorated Eggs and Silk Paintings was hosted by the Frederiksberg Commune, Denmark at Byggeriets Hus from April 8-May 9, 2004. A part of her collection of decorated eggs was also displayed during an international show held at Intercontinental Hotel Jeddah from 16-17th October, 2005, which featured cultural exhibits of arts and crafts from several countries of Asia and the Middle East.

Farha's second solo exhibition, 'EGGCELLENCE was held at Reda Art Gallery in Jeddah from 14-16 June, 2008 and was inaugurated by Her Royal Highness Princess Fanda Bint Al-Saud.

Her first solo exhibition in India, 'EGGXOTICA', was held from April 11-15, 2010 at the prestigious Visual Arts Gallery, India Habitat Centre, New Delhi, which was inaugurated by Dr Shashi Tharoor, former Under Secretary General of the UN and India's former Minister of State for External Affairs.

Yemen president refuses Islamic party's complaints against governor

2012-06-03T22:31:00.000+03:00

By Majid al-Kibsi

Within the aftermath of removing the security director of Taiz by the governor, al-Islah party complained to President Abdo Rabbo Mansour Hadi, who refused that complaint.

Sources assured that the governor met leaders from al-Islah as well as other Joint Meeting Parties (JMP) on Saturday where he noted that he standed equally apart from all political parties, assuring that he was not going to pay attention to partisans matters but instead to matters of development and services provided to citizens.

Al-Islah, as well as the JMPs, were against the decision made by the governor in which he asked the Minister of Interior to replace the Security director with a stronger character. They filed a complaint to the president about the removal of Taiz’s security director, Brigadier Ali al-Saeedi.

Governor Hael defended his decision by writing on his Facebook profile that he replaced some officials because he only believes in well qualified personnel to occupy these positions.

“I have given the deputy governors many chances to rectify their mistakes, yet that didn’t come up with any result,” said Governor Hael.

Regarding the security director who was appointed months ago and followed al-Islah party, Hael justified replacing him by saying that he had been given many chances to prove himself but his constant failure, and his neglecting, almost cost the escape of thousands of prisoners from the central prison.

According to al-Awla newspaper, the governor was discussing the reason why the Security director did not implement the plan, which was agreed to stop the riots. The director said “I have no idea why the plan was not implemented, my deputy went home to sleep,” then Hael replied to the director “You too go home, you don’t wanna work.”

Local Council of Taiz’s governorate issued a press release condemning the chaos in the central jail on May 25th. Seven inmates were injured and 10 escaped from jail, only five of them were arrested according to the press release.

Yemen Islamic Calligraphy versus Digital Age

2012-06-02T12:45:00.003+03:00

Islamic Calligraphy has always been an art that has been passed down the generation, carrying many definitions of life, culture, politics, love and most importantly, the words of Allah.

Quran is written in Islamic calligraphy and passed down from generation to generation.

But today, the calligraphy is taken a new turn in the world of advertisement.

It started to cooperate with the computer graphics design to create a new generation of advertisement based on the beauty of the Islamic Calligraphy. The designers have started to include forms of Islamic or Arabic calligraphy in their designs.

They try to approach the cultivated society as well as attracting the people to the beauty in the Islamic calligraphy. In Abu Salah’s Bookshop you would notice an artwork hangs on his shop.

The art work was a collaboration between two generations: the father is a calligrapher and the son is the computer designer. Waleed al-Ward, 16 web and graphics designer, redesigned and stylish the outlook of his father’s calligraphy.

He embedded them in his design. “I like Islamic calligraphy because it adds beauty to the design due to its distinction,” said Waleed, the designer.

He added “it is a living art that gives life to the design. The hand writing is different than the fonts of a computer and anyone could see the difference.”

According to Waleed, the handwriting resurrect the artistic design especially is the design is related to the culture. “Sometime the customer does not just ask for an Islamic calligraphy in the design rather they want it for website, advertisement or even a logo.

I add the handwriting automatically to the design samples and show it to them, particularly if the business is in the field of culture, traditional or classics because it gives the impression of the cultural sophistication and the civilization of Arabs.” He also complained that some customers request impossible tasks, which is the biggest challenge for him.

“It could be challenging to meet the customers’ expectations,” said Waleed. “Sometimes they ask for more additions that will ruin the design and I as a designer obligated to let them know that it could be inappropriate or does not integrate with it,” He added.

Waleed’s father, Khalid al-Ward, 39, a prominent calligraphy artist in Yemen, sees his son’s creativity in combining between the calligraphy art and the design.

“The Islamic calligraphy has adopted to the contemporary arts by expressing in the advertisement,” said al-Ward. He indicates, “One of the challenges that us faced as calligraphy artists is the modern technology, which we adapted to it and tried to understand it.

The designers have started to realize that they need a unique touch in their designs.

There is only the Islamic Calligraphy can provide.” According to al-Ward, designers tried to search for a way that will help Arab society to appreciate the artworks; however, that usually have western influence or adopt the western style.

“Not all calligraphy artists could adapt to the modernization. Publicity and advertisement is not the only beneficiaries from the Islamic Calligraphy but it was a good move to introduce the Islamic calligraphy,” said al-Ward.

Al-Ward has two sons: one of them is also a designer but the other is following his father footprints. “My younger son,Waseem, 10, has improved his calligraphy skills and I think that he will be an expert in less than one decade.

The two boys have influence by their father because they have lived in a house that is full with their father’s passion in calligraphy. This had an impact on them to learn and appreciate the Islamic Calligraphy.

Their father wished that they could follow the path they want and he assured that he will always support them wishing that they will integrate with each other skills. Waleed interests in computer graphic design and started working as a designer three years ago when he was only thirteen. Since then he has improved his competency in the field.

Today he is a web designer and carries out many design projects that comes through acquaintances. According to Waleed, some designs are targeting the West and English speaker customers; therefore he would not collaborate Islamic calligraphy in this design.

“I cannot express my feelings on all the designs because I have express from the customer’s perspective,” said Waleed. Walled’s father disagrees with him in this matter. Al-Ward assuried that the subject is not the matter since there is always the capacity for Islamic calligraphy.

“If you express some background about the Arab culture in a website with an Arab origin it would not hurt even if the website is addressing to western society,” he added Waleed explain more,

“The website might represent a technology aspect, in this field it might not be appropriate to add an artistic form of Islamic Calligraphy” According to Waleed, the design should get the acceptance of three parties “The Client, The designer and the public targeted by the design”.

Defectors from Yemen’s former ruling party inaugurates new party

2012-05-28T23:25:00.000+03:00

By Majid al-Kibsi

Justice and building is what Yemen needs the most and that is the name of the new political party, which was announced on Monday, May 28th.

Within the Announcement conference of the Justice and Building Party that promises to provide justice, freedom, equality and stability, the Yemeni Prime Minister gave a speech where he stressed the importance of enforcing democracy in Yemen, in actions, not in talk.

“Political parties and organizations are demanded to practice democracy in the first place among its ranks. If they don’t do that, then they won’t be capable to practice it within, and they won’t be able to do it outside,” said Mohammed Salim Basendwah, the Yemeni Prime Minister, referring to the low participation of women and youth in political parties.

Mohammed Ali Abu Lohum, head of the party’s preparatory committee assured that the party aims to a civil state, based on Islamic and human values, where all ethnic, religious and ideological differences are respected.

The Party states it aims at enabling the youth to achieve the goals they set in their youth revolution, demanding change, the construction of the infrastructure of a modern civil state, a state of law and order.

Setting up the party began at the early stage of the youth protesters when some leading members of former president Ali Abdullah Saleh Party’s, General People’s Congress (GPC), casted their lot with the youth protesters. Muhammed Ali Abu Lohum used to be the Head of the Foreign Affairs Department at GPC.

Yemen Unity threatened by injustice

2012-05-21T20:44:00.000+03:00

By Majid al-Kibsi

The united Republic of Yemen established in May 1990 was a marriage between what, at first glance, seemed unlikely partners. The north, though theoretically in the “capitalist” camp, was one of the world’s poorest countries; a highly traditional Arab-Islamic society, with a strong element of tribalism. The south, on the other hand, partly secularized and partly de-tribalised, had taken the Marxist route. Even poorer than the north, it was one of the Soviet Union’s largest debtors. In some respects the move towards multiparty democracy in Yemen was even more surprising, given the history and inclinations of the two newly-unified states.

The Unity between the two states was endangered after the first elections when the Socialist Party couldn’t defeat al-Islah party (Islamist party) and in 1994 the last president of the south Ali Salem al-Baid announced separation from the united country causing a war which was won by the Army of the north accompanied by militants of tribes.

After the 1994 civil war, several hundreds of thousands of military and civil employees from the south were forced into early retirement, and compensated with pensions below the sustenance level. Although there is poverty in all parts of Yemen, many in the south felt that the government was intentionally discharging southerners from important positions and replacing them with northern officials.

In May 2007, grieving pensioners who had not been paid for years began to organize small demonstrations calling for equal rights and an end to the economic and political marginalization of the south. As the popularity of such protests grew, with more people beginning to attend, the demands of the protests developed, eventually leading to the full secession of the south. The government's response to these protests was dismissive, labeling them as ‘apostates of the state’.

This gave birth to the Southern Movement, which now consists of a huge coalition of groups, each with slight differences of opinion yet united by a common goal of secession from the north and regaining independence for the territory of the former South Yemen.

Nowadays, Yemeni people celebrate the 22 anniversary of the 22^nd of May. The day when the two stated emerged as one in 1990. But still, some are still demanding the separation of the south. Especially after what was called “The Arab Spring”.

A new President is now in charge, he is expected to fulfill the demands of Yemeni people. Why are there still calls for separation and how he can fix that?

Salman Abdo Ahmed, Political Science student mentioned that what happens now are the remnant of the previous regime for over 20 years and the policies of exclusion and marginalizing carried out by Saleh’s and individuals close to him both in the north and the south.

“These accumulations can’t be solved in a day, two or even a year so that we could say that everything will solved in two months after Saleh left,” said Salman.

He also added that the threats to the unity are topped by the continuation of Saleh regimes way in exclusion and marginalizing when dealing with the people of the southern governorates in addition to making new issues instead of solving the previous ones.

Iscander Mamari, a Journalist assured that the situation which we are experiencing is a result of the rule of President Saleh in all aspects and the way he has been ruling Yemen which led to this political congestion, which pushes southerners to behave in such way.

“I believe it is their right to conduct in such way, however we expect from the new leadership to have solution that satisfies all parties,” said Iscandar.

“Many issued threaten the Yemeni Unity,” said Marwan al-Essamy, Political Sciences Graduate. He added “After the war in 1994 many issues were left untouched. The south was under a socialist system while the north was under a capital system which caused many economical differences between the sides when united.”

Moreover, al-Essamy added that this also caused inequality gap in addition to the raise of unemployment rate, stealing the lands in the south as well as the increscent in carrying firearms inside cities.

According to al-Essamy, the only way to protect the Yemeni Unity is by solving these issues including the increasing of unemployment rate in the south which affected the youth mostly.

Abdullah Awadh Salim Joban, a Web Developer summarized the best way to rescue the Yemeni Unity in Justice and giving back rights.

The flags of the old state of the Democratic Republic of Yemen have spread all over the City of Aden. It can be seen on top of public building, houses and painted on the walls.

Many citizens of the city say that the reason is that they want equality and some say that they no more want the unity.

“The demands of the southern people are not time-related ends by the era of Saleh. it is not the same as the youth demands in the change square,” said Alaa Afarah a diplomatic attaché in the Ministry of foreign Affairs.

He explains more, “The southern people demand clearly that they want separation due to the delay in response to their demands in getting their rights which caused the southern movement to raise their demands into separation.”

According to Afarah, if the new political forces continue on the same policy, there will be an armed conflict especially with the current instability in the security aspect and clear dividing among themselves which showed clearly in the last presidential elections that not many southern participated in, even when the president and the prime minister are from the south.

“What really threaten the Unity now is the mentality that aims to create chaos in the south through al-Qaeda or other movements,” said Afarah.

He said that the only solution is the dialogue between the South and the North of Yemen to get a resolution of a five-year federation followed by fate-deciding poll so that the political forces in the north could show a faithful intentions and willingness in solving the southern issue.

“If the people in the southern witnessed reformations they will stick to the unity because they chose it willingly in the first place. But if we resulted to the maneuvering policy, give total authority to the south, divide the south into three regions or even add Taiz and al-Baidha to the south it will fail and cause more tension on public level.

On the other hand, Mohammed Abdulqader, an engineer says that the whole chaos made by the southern movement is to get more money and nothing more.

“The Transitional Justice law will compensate victims and neighborhoods and the affected people in the civil war of 1994,” Yemen Minister of Legal Affairs.

2012-05-20T17:01:00.000+03:00

By: Majid al-Kibsi

Dr. Mohammed Ahmed Al-Mikhlafi, a key figure in the Socialist party and Minister of Legal Affairs, was a legalist and a professor in the Yemen Human Rights Observers. He received his PhD from Russia in international law and was a general manager at the legal affairs department in the Ministry of Expatriates.

Moreover, al-Mikhlafi has published books in law and human rights , Globalization effects on technology ant its conflicts, Freedom of Investment’s risks, “Copy Rights” and “Electoral system in Yemen”.

The Yemen Observer met with Minister al-Mikhlafi to discuss new draft law on transitional justice and a new amendment proposed to the parliament and follows an interview with the Minister:   YO: The Turkish ambassador recently announced that Turkey was working in partnership with your ministry regarding a change in legislation.

Could you tell us more of what is at stake here and the areas that you intend to change?

We have a long list of legislations that is required for the coming transitional phase. These legislations are divided into three groups. The first group focus on enhancing liberties, rights and freedom of expression such as demonstration organizing law, journalism law, unions law, CSOs’ law, freedom of information law.
It also focus on establishing human rights foundation law in cooperation with the Ministry of the Human Rights; accommodating the marginalized law; amending the discretionary materials of the executions law and the political parties and organizational law.

The second group of laws will focus on countering corruption and enhancing transparency through the laws of countering corruption, tenders, financial disclosure, enriching and illegal profiting, protection of witnesses and reporters in corruption cases, judicial authority law, prosecuting supreme authority employees and the control and auditing central authority laws.

The third group targets the public participation enhancements by working on the laws of the local authority law, visions of the constitutional amendments and the transitional justice law.

The objective is to adopt the national regulations and legislation with the International conventions that Yemen has signed and committed.

YO: Would you use Turkey as a model to emulate in Yemen?

In regard to the experiments, we are willing to learn from these countries, but our choice will be defined in accordance to the national dialogue, the experiments that seek the democracy or have achieved it like Turkey, which is an Islamic country. It might be the closest module that we emulate, quote or refer to.

YO: But what is the objective that you seek to achieve during your period in this position?

I only want to achieve something to Yemen that will make a change, an achievement that will stop the violations against human rights and liberties, achievement that would end attacks against the public institutions and facilities and to end the system of corruption.

The presence legislative entity includes the basics and values of response governing will be the only way to end the corruption or at least will start the base for the next phase.

YO: Many activist says that the Ministry does not have the authority to propose new laws without being assigned by the Parliament or a presidential decree; therefore it condemns the proposing of the Transitional Justice law presented by the Ministry of Legal Affairs ,Why?

It is misleading information or perhaps just a misunderstood fact. There are only two authorities that are authorized to propose the law: the parliament and the Government. In the government, the authority in charge of proposing laws is the Ministry of Legal Affairs either respectively or in cooperation with another ministry or authority and no authority or Ministry is authorized to propose a law. Whoever says this is part of the conspiracy and attacking that led Yemen to failure.

YO: So, if the Minsitry has been targeted because of its support of the Transitional Justice law, and who is benefiting from this?   The law came along with the National Reconciliation that consist from two sides. One is forgiveness that calls for forgiving whoever committed crimes or felonies during their working days or under the name of the authority. This was achieved through the immunity from prosecution law.

The other side achieves by Justice. We always say that “there is no peace without justice” those who have the immunity attack this law and do not realize that the immunity cannot uphold in reality without achieving justice and acquiring acceptance and satisfaction from the reconciliation.

There are also personnel who do not agree with the law and still feel the urge to have vengeance.

This way of thinking is not positive or promising because Yemen Unity, solidarity and peace depends on the citizen safety , peace and stability which is more noble than the idea of punishing the person in question. That might also be a reason to think that the transitional justice law has served the part that acquired the Immunity.

There are also personnel with private agendas to practice rights activism as a resource for profiting, which it can be, but it is not like this. If the law is not published then there will be no work for them to practice.

Those may have not understood the law because if they have understood it well they will realize that the law creates a new opportunities such as preparing an environment of tolerance, awareness of national dialogue, promoting for forgiveness and accepting the others in the economical , political and religious sides.

YO: The proposed Law will compensate the victims of the revolution and the demonstrations, but will it also compensate for the neighborhoods that were affected by the demonstrations such as al-Jamea’a and al-Tahrir?

The law would compensate the affected and damages areas including the areas that were hit by the conflict materially and morally.

The moral damage will compensate by a speech that address to the whole society. What you mean by the neighborhoods is that any damage occurred during 2011 in these areas due to political conflict or attacks by the demonstrators or mobility restrictions, in addition to the society damages, will be compensated.

Moreover, the damages that affected the citizens in the south in 1994 civil war as well as the attacks on the peaceful Southern Mvoement or any area in Yemen will be compensated. Moreover, any damages after the establishment of the Republic until now will also be compensated.

YO: Such compensations are not in small figure, the government would need a huge amount to compensate all the victims, have you taken this issue into your consideration?

There is no doubt that we had it in our consideration. Yemen ability to handle the burden of the transitional phase is not available. But this operation is internationally supported.

This international support will have a large portion of it directed to the transitional Justice implementation, which we already know about it.

YO: What are the output expectations you are looking forward to achieve from the National Dialogue?

National Dialogue is the essence of the political process; the actual success of the political process depends on the National dialogue. All parties are welcomed in the National dialogue; if any actor wants to exempt itself from the dialogue nobody can force it.

However, I don’t think there are any forces that exempt itself from the national dialogue. These forces exempt itself are weak forces that cannot be equal and it won’t stop the national dialogue.

In regard to the output of the national dialogue, it was already decided before it started; it is specified on the mechanism of implementing the transitional period.

The national dialogue will target three tasks: first, to solve the southern issue; second,to remove all the conflicts aftermath in many areas which led to wars such in Sa’adah; and third, to make a new vision for the political strategy, economical strategy and social strategy based on the basics of the new constitution.

Therefore, the basics are required to define the shape of the governing system which should achieve by decentralization and partnership in power between the political forces in Yemen, also creating a system that removes the aftereffect of the past regime.

YO: Some political forces put pre-conditions like al-Houthis and the Southern Movement in order for it to participate in the national dialogue. What is the government position in this?

There are no pre-conditions before the national Dialogue. These conditions are some kind of will test, but I don’t think that their conditions might forbid these forces from participating in the national Dialogue.

There is a communication committee formed by presidential decree. The committee objective is to responsible to form predatory committee to preare for the dialogue.

I guess that if any side wants to put condition it means it is not willing to participate in the dialogue. I think the Southern Movement does not have any objection to the peaceful dialogue. In regard to al-Houthis, they are part of the National Dialogue committee and presented a documents title “Vision to the national dialogue”.

YO: “Investment needs strong and fair judicial system,” Judges have argued on many occasions for the need to separate the Judiciary from the Executive and Legislative as to be completely independent; hence the Judiciary would be free from manipulation. What are your thoughts on this?

The independence of Judicial System is related to the constructer of the whole system. It is related to the separation of the authorities.,Now there is interference between the Judicial and the Executive. However, the Executive has the upper hand.

The other thing is that the judicial system needs to restructure, so it can be capable to face the other authorities. Moreover, the judicial authority has to be independent financially and administratively so that the executive authority does not have any responsibility in hiring and appointing judges. All of these things should be treated within the new constitution and be tackled in the national dialogue.

Prime Minister's Body Guard kills an Unarmed Gate Keeper

2012-05-14T17:20:00.000+03:00

By Yemen Observer

Prime minister, Mohamed Salem Basendwa came through this Saturday as the Yemen Observer’s correspondents discovered that a bodyguard of the Prime Minister who had been assigned to his daughter’s protection shot a guard at the Exceed Language center in Sana’a, the capital, twice in the leg once in the chest, causing the man’s death.

According to initial reports and eye –witnesses accounts, Basendwa’ daughter who is a student at the language institute came accompanied by her bodyguard to attend class when the guard in charge of the building security politely advise the driver that all students needed to be dropped off before the gate as no car was allowed to get through.

After an exchange of heated words as The Basendwa’s daughter just assumed that rules did not apply to her given her father’s position within the government is believed to have warned Babel Jabr al-Sanabani, the guard that she would take actions against him and show him “what she was capable of.”

It is important at this stage to note that it was impossible for the Yemen Observer to independently verify the witnesses’ statements or concur with the authorities as the case is still pending and awaiting a decision from the District Attorney’s office.

Abdel-Malek al-Anisi, Basendwa’s personal bodyguard then is said to have opened fire onto Sanabani.

The altercation was actually caught onto the security cameras of the Institute, clearly assigning blame.

Rights activists in the capital are already calling for Basendwa’s daughter to be held accountable for her actions, as “accessory to murder”.

Basendwa’s office refused to comment on the matter, only saying that justice will follow its course.

Yemenis across the provinces have said to be shock, adding that for all the many allegations which the Joint Meeting Parties made against former President Saleh and his regime, never in 33 years did such a scandal took place.

Technical Committees to study Yemen’s needs for friends of Yemen’s conference

2012-05-05T15:08:00.000+03:00

By Majid al-Kibsi

Saudi Finance Minister announced that Technical Committees will study Yemen’s needs in order to present them to the Friends of Yemen Conference which will be held soon in Riyadh.

According to the Saudi Minister of Finance, Ibrahim al-Assaf, all cases related to supporting Yemen will be studied through these committees to be presented to the conferences of Donors and Friends of Yemen.

“Yemen is going through essential changes and need support and backup from all countries in the world to get over its crisis,” said the Minister in a press statement at the conclusion of the Finance Ministers of the Gulf Countries held in Riadh. He also noted that other countries are to participate in the Conferences of Donors and Friends of Yemen.

Al-Assaf mentioned that within the 93^rd meeting of the Financial and Economical Cooperation Committee, the committee discussed the cooperation approaches for Jordan, Morocco and Yemen. Moreover, the Minister stated that Jordan and Morocco support was announced, but in regard to Yemen, all cases will be discussed the development support methods and a report will be presented to heads of the GCC states.

Conference of Friends of Yemen was scheduled to be held on April 27, but it was postponed until May 23. It is believed that the reason for the postponing is due to the lack of preparation from the interim government.

The conference is expected to reveal the form of support from the donors in the technical and financial aspects as well as gathering support for the GCC initiative to overcome the difficulties facing the Yemen.

Yemen faces several economic challenges, following a year of political and social unrest. The economy may have shrunk by as much as 10% in 2011, inflation has hit 23%, and unemployment among the youth could be at 40%. The immediate fiscal constraints represent the biggest challenge to Yemen’s economy in the short term.

Yemen to deport Belgians suspected of terrorism

2012-05-04T12:52:00.000+03:00

By Majid al-Kibsi

The two Belgians who have been arrested with suspicion of terrorism in Sana’a last month are to be deported from Yemen, said Yemeni official on Sunday May 6.
The Yemeni Official mentioned that the two Belgians were detained on April 13 at Sana’a International Airport as they tried to enter the country. He identified them as Ibrahim Bali, a Belgian of a Somali Origin and Ezzeddin Tuhairi a Belgian of Arab descent.

According to the official they were arrested on suspicion of planned terrorist activities in Yemen. “We are in a process of negotiation with the Belgian government. We expect them to be deported within days," said the Official.
A Belgian Foreign Ministry spokesman confirmed the two Belgian were being held over suspected involvement in terrorist activity, and said Brussels was seeking consular access to them.

National Organization for Defending Rights and Freedom said in a statement that "The weeks-long arrest of the two Belgians is against the Yemeni law and we call the Yemeni public prosecution to interfere into the case and allow the defendants to face a fair trial, or release them if there were approved not guilty," the statement read.

Moreover, the statement demanded the Attorney General to swiftly order the prosecution, to visit their prison, and release or refer them to specialized courts, asking to hold the personnel responsible for this illegal seizure accountable.