GCC Proposal to solve Yemen Crisis

By Fatik Al-Rodaini

- The full text of GCC Proposal to solve Yemen Crisis
- Decree No. (24) in which President Saleh authorizes his VP to conduct dialogue with opposition on September 12, 2011
- UN Security Council resolution 2014 on Yemen on October 21,  2011
- The executive mechanism of the GCC Proposal  
After almost two months of unrest in Yemen and continued protests against President Ali Abdullah Saleh the Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC), which which includes the United Arab Emirates, Bahrain, Saudi Arabia, Oman, Qatar and Kuwait, offered an initiative to solve the crisis in Yemen that provides for President Saleh to step down and hand the power to his Vice President Abdu Rabu Mansur Hadi in exchange for immunity.
The GCC initiative, which has been backed out by Saleh for three times, proposed him to resign in 30 days, as new presidential elections to be arranged by opposition-led national government within 60 days.
On May 13, Qatar withdrew from the GCC initiative to end the political crisis in Yemen, with Gulf media outlets saying the withdrawal was justified due to the delay in finalizing the deal by President Saleh and the opposition in the country.
Yemen's opposition coalition, Joint Meeting Parties, JMP had signed the GCC initiative at the time that Saleh dodged the crucial deal on May 22.
The U.S. and west countries support the GCC initiative to handle the current crisis in the country.

-On September 12, President Saleh authorized his VP to conduct dialogue with opposition and to singe the agreement on behalf of him.
- On October 21, UN Security Council issued a resolution No. 2014 on Yemen called the Yemeni government and the opposition to solve the crisis according to the GCC proposal.
-The Yemeni government and the opposition coalition may singe on November 10 on the executive mechanism of the GCC Proposal to solve the current crisis.
 Following is the text of the initiative of the GCC
GCC Proposal
The agreement between Yemen's ruling party and the opposition
*Basic Principles
-The resolution of the agreement will lead to safety, security, stability and unity of Yemen.
-The agreement will achieve Yemen's people ambitions in change and reform.
-The agreement will achieve peaceful transition of power, and avoid Yemen entering chaos and violence and this will be within a national agreement.
-Both sides are obligated to defuse all elements of political and security tension.
-Both sides are obligated to stop all sorts of revenge and persuing of the other in appliance to the gaurantees and pledges offered by this proposal.
*Executive Steps:
-From the first day to the agreement, the President of the Republic instructs the opposition to form a national government 50% for the ruling party, 40% for the opposition, and 10 % front other political powers.
-The government will be formed during the seven days from the date of signing the agreement.
-The new government will create the suitable atmosphere to achieve the national agreement and defuse all elements of political and security tension.
-On the 29th day of the signing of the agreement, the parliament including the opposition will issue a law which will grant President and those who served under his rule Immunity from law and judical prosecution
-In the 30th day after the signing of the agreement, and after the president and his aides in rule are granted Immunity from prosecution, the president will handover his resignation to parliament, and his vice president becomes the new president after parliament approves Saleh's resignation.
-The new president (former vice president) calls to presidential elections within 60 days in compliance to the constitution.
-The new president (former Vice President) forms a constitutional committee to supervise to prepare a new constitution.
-After the constitution being finished, a referendum will take place to accept the new constitution.
-When the constitution is approved by the people, it is important to offer a timetable for the new parliamentary elections according to the constitution.
-After the parliamentary elections are complete, the winning party with majority of seats in parliament will be asked to form a new government.
-The GCC, EU, and US will be witnessed to this agreement.
Signature
The President of Yemen Republic
Yemeni Opposition
Witnesses
The GCC
The US
The EU

-Decree No. (24) in which President Saleh authorizes his VP to conduct dialogue with opposition
On September 12, 2011 President Ali Abdullah Saleh issued a presidential decree to give Vice President Abdo Rabbo Mansour Hadi a mandate to conduct a dialogue with the parties signatories to the Gulf initiative.
Upon the presidential decree No. (24), "Vice President Abdo Rabbo Mansour Hadi has the necessary constitutional authority to conduct a dialogue with the signatories of the initiative made by the states of the Gulf Cooperation Council, reach an agreement on a lasting mechanism for the implementation of the initiative, sign it subsequently on our behalf and begin tracking its implementation under a regional and international auspice, leading to hold an early presidential election and ensure a legal and democratic transition of power".
- UN Security Council resolution 2014 on Yemen on October 21,  2011
The Security Council,
Recalling its Press Statements of 24 September 2011, 9 August 2011, and 24 June 2011,
Expressing grave concern at the situation in Yemen,
Reaffirming its strong commitment to the unity, sovereignty, independence and territorial integrity of Yemen,
Welcoming the Secretary-General’s statement of 23 September 2011 urging all sides to engage in a constructive manner to achieve a peaceful resolution to the current crisis,
Welcoming the engagement of the Gulf Cooperation Council, and reaffirming the support of the Security Council for the GCC’s efforts to resolve the political crisis in Yemen,
Welcoming the continuing efforts of the Good Offices of the Secretary-General, including the visits to Yemen by the Special Adviser,
Taking note of the Human Rights Council resolution on Yemen (A/HRC/RES/18/19), and underlining the need for a comprehensive, independent and impartial investigation consistent with international standards into alleged human rights abuses and violations, with a view to avoiding impunity and ensuring full accountability, and noting in this regard the concerns expressed by the United Nations High Commissioner for Human Rights,
Welcoming the statement by the Ministerial Council of the Gulf Cooperation Council on 23 September 2011 which called for the immediate signing by President Saleh and implementation of the Gulf Cooperation Council initiative, condemned the use of force against unarmed demonstrators, and called for restraint, a commitment to a full and immediate ceasefire and the formation of a commission to investigate the events that led to the killing of innocent Yemeni people,
Expressing serious concern at the worsening security situation, including armed conflict, and the deterioratingeconomic and humanitarian situation due to the lack of progress on a political settlement, and the potential for the further escalation of violence,
Reaffirming its resolutions 1325 (2000), 1820 (2008), 1888 (2009), 1889 (2009) and 1960 (2010) on women, peace, and security, and reiterating the need for the full, equal and effective participation of women at all stages of peace-processes given their vital role in the prevention and resolution of conflict and peacebuilding, reaffirming the key role women play in re-establishing the fabric of society and stressing the need for their involvement in conflict resolution in order to take into account their perspective and needs,
Expressing serious concernalsoaboutthe increasing number of internally displaced persons and refugees in Yemen, the alarming levels of malnutrition caused by drought and soaring fuel and food prices, the increasing interruption of basic supplies and social services, and increasingly difficult access to safe water and health care,
Expressing further serious concern at the increased threat from Al-Qaida in the Arabian Peninsula and the risk of new terror attacks in parts of Yemen, and reaffirming that terrorism in all forms and manifestations constitutes one of the most serious threats to international peace and security and that any acts of terrorism are criminal and unjustifiable regardless of their motivations,
Condemning all terrorist and other attacks against civilians and against the authorities, including those aimed at jeopardizing the political process in Yemen, such as the attack on the Presidential compound in Sana’a on 3 June 2011,
Recalling the Yemeni Government’s primary responsibility to protect its population,
Stressing that the best solution to the current crisis in Yemen is through an inclusive and Yemeni-led political process of transition that meets the legitimate demands and aspirations of the Yemeni people for change,
Reaffirming its support for the Presidential decree of 12 September which is designed to find a political agreement acceptable to all parties, and to ensure a peaceful and democratic transition of power, including the holding of early Presidential elections,
Stressing the importance of the stability and security of Yemen, particularly regarding overall international counter-terrorism efforts,
Mindful of its primary responsibility for the maintenance of international peace and security under the Charter of the United Nations, and emphasizing the threats to regional security and stability posed by the deterioration of the situation in Yemen in the absence of a lasting political settlement,
1. Expresses profound regret at the hundreds of deaths, mainly of civilians, including women and children;
2. Strongly condemns the continued human rights violations by the Yemeni authorities, such as the excessive use of force against peaceful protestors as well as the acts of violence, use of force, and human rights abuses perpetrated by other actors, and stresses that all those responsible for violence, human rights violations and abuses should be held accountable;
3. Demands that all sides immediately reject the use of violence to achieve political goals;
4. Reaffirms its view that the signature and implementation as soon as possible of a settlement agreement on the basis of the Gulf Cooperation Council initiative is essential for an inclusive, orderly, and Yemeni-led process of political transition, notes the signing of the Gulf Cooperation Council initiative by some opposition parties and the General People’s Congress, calls on all parties in Yemen to commit themselves to implementation of a political settlement based upon this initiative, notes the commitment by the President of Yemen to immediately sign the Gulf Cooperation Council initiative and encourages him, or those authorized to act on his behalf, to do so, and to implement a political settlement based upon it, and calls for this commitment to be translated into action, in order to achieve a peaceful political transition of power, as stated in the Gulf Cooperation Council initiative and the Presidential decree of 12 September, without further delay;
5. Demands that the Yemeni authorities immediately ensure their actions comply with obligations under applicable international humanitarian and human rights law, allow the people of Yemen to exercise their human rights and fundamental freedoms, including their rights of peaceful assembly to demand redress of their grievances and freedom of expression, including for members of the media, and take action to end attacks against civilians and civilian targets by security forces;
6. Calls upon all concerned parties to ensure the protection of women and children, to improve women’s participation in conflict resolution and encourages all parties to facilitate the equal and full participation of women at decision-making levels;
7. Urges all opposition groups to commit to playing a full and constructive part in the agreement and implementation of a political settlement on the basis of the Gulf Cooperation Council initiative, and demands that all opposition groups refrain from violence, and cease the use of force to achieve political aims;
8. Further demands that all armed groups remove all weapons from areas of peaceful demonstration, refrain from violence and provocation, refrain from the recruitment of children, and urges all parties not to target vital infrastructure;
9. Expresses its concern over the presence of Al-Qaida in the Arabian Peninsula, and its determination to address this threat in accordance with the Charter of the United Nations and international law including applicable human rights, refugee and humanitarian law;
10. Encourages the international community to provide humanitarian assistance to Yemen, and in this regard requests all parties in Yemen to facilitate the work of the United Nations agencies and other relevant organizations, and ensure full, safe and unhindered access for the timely delivery of the humanitarian aid to persons in need across Yemen;
11. Requests the Secretary-General to continue his Good Offices, including through visits by the Special Adviser, and to continue to urge all Yemeni stakeholders to implement the provisions of this resolution, and encourage all States and regional organizations to contribute to this objective;
12. Requests the Secretary-General to report on implementation of this resolution within 30 days of its adoption and every 60 days thereafter;
13. Decides to remain actively seized of the matter
-The executive mechanism of the GCC Proposal  
The executive mechanism of the GCC Proposal in which JMP and GPC will sign on November 10:
Some of the opposition politicians confirmed Tuesday that they were informed by the US ambassador that president Ali Abdullah Saleh agreed to authorize his deputy to act for him until a new president is elected within three months after the GCC deal is signed.
- The authorization decree stipulates that Saleh will remain president until a new president is elected and that the authorized deputy should not remove him. This is a kind of guarantee.
- Immediately, after the GCC deal is signed by Hadi, and the implementation mechanism is approved by both sides, the UN Security Council would issue a resolution binding all conflicting parties to implement the mechanism step by step and UN envoy Bin Omar would be monitoring all steps and performance of all parties.
- After being authorised by President Saleh, Hadi would entrust someone nominated by the opposition to form a national unity government from the opposition coalition and the ruling party.
- The opposition-chaired government would form a military and security committee chaired by Hadi, to control the army and security. The son and three nephews of President Saleh will remain in their positions as commanders in army and security until the end of the transitional period.
- Then, the vice president would call for presidential elections within three month. Hadi himself would be the candidate of both the ruling party and the opposition as a man of national consensus.
- Hadi would be elected as a transitional president for two years during which all political and constitutional issues are supposed to be solved.
Yemen 24 News