Yemen needs more than a UN resolution to oust Saleh

As his country faces economic and humanitarian disaster, Yemen's president seems concerned only with retaining power

Brian Whitaker

guardian.co.uk, Monday 17 October 2011

Article history

Almost nine months after the uprising against President Saleh began in Yemen, it looks as though the UN security council will finally get round to issuing a resolution this week. Whether that will make any difference on the ground remains to be seen.

On Sunday, six more demonstrators were shot dead on the streets of Sana'a – reportedly by plainclothes government snipers – and clashes between pro-Saleh forces and tribal militias allied with defected elements of the Yemeni military continue unabated.

In the midst of that, Yemen, which has long been one of the world's poorest countries, continues its slide towards economic and humanitarian disaster.

"Every night, a third of the Yemeni people go to bed hungry," Valerie Amos, a UN humanitarian official, warned last week. "In some parts of the country, one in three children are malnourished – among the highest malnutrition levels in the world." Even for those who have food to eat, prices of basic commodities continue to soar.

These economic problems have been overshadowed by political conflict but they are a major factor in the country's instability. Worse still, there is no longer any prospect of tackling them while Saleh remains in power.

Not that Saleh appears particularly concerned by that. All the signs are that his main – perhaps only – priority now is to ensure that he and his family continue to hold the reins for as long as possible, even if in the end he presides over a country in ruins.

Increasingly, he seems to be harbouring Mugabe-style delusions. Last week, as word spread of the likely UN resolution, he accused diplomats of being biased against him. Foreign ambassadors, he said, "move from one opposition to the other, collect information and consider the information they get from the opposition as they if they are the victim whom they should support". He also described the local opposition as "insane [people] who can't sleep and only want to take power".

At an international level there is broad agreement that the way forward for Yemen should begin with Saleh's departure but persuading him to go is proving far more difficult than it did in Tunisia or Egypt. Among the complicating factors are American fears about al-Qaida in Yemen and Saudi Arabia's fears of a genuinely democratic transformation in its southern neighbour. The Saudis don't really care about Saleh but they are opposing any change that upsets the general status quo.

The proposed security council resolution – drafted by Britain and leaked last week – could win approval from Russia and China because, unlike the earlier resolution Syria which they vetoed, it doesn't talk of sanctions or other punitive measures. The draft "strongly condemns the continued human rights violations by the Yemeni authorities" and "demands an immediate end to all violence by all sides".

It adds that "all those responsible for human rights violations and abuses should be held accountable" – which sounds like a threat to prosecute Saleh and other offenders – while also calling on Saleh to "immediately sign and implement a political transition on the basis of the Gulf co-operation council initiative". This is where the resolution gets into a muddle. The GCC initiative includes immunity from prosecution for Saleh, so the security council cannot hold him to account for his crimes while at the same time urging him to sign the initiative.

Apart from that, there is little reason to put much faith in the GCC initiative since its "transition" timetable allows plenty of scope for Saleh to backpedal and prevaricate. He was originally supposed to sign it in April but then refused at the last minute.

Since then he has alternately blown hot and cold on the initiative – usually depending on how much pressure he happens to be under at the time – but there is not much reason to suppose that a security council resolution will make him sign it now, let alone implement it.

Yemen - Another journalist killed as Saleh regime steps up violence against protesters

October 17, 2011

Reporters Without Borders firmly condemns the death of Al-Yemen TV cameraman Abd Al-Ghani Al-Bureihi, who was fatally shot yesterday when security forces opened fired on protesters during a massive demonstration in Sanaa to call for President Ali Abdallah Saleh’s resignation. Around 20 people were killed during the weekend protests.

Al-Bureihi’s death brings to six the number of journalists killed in Yemen since the pro-democracy protests began in February. It has again highlighted the dangers to which journalists covering these protests are exposed. Two other cameramen, including Salah Al-Hatar of Al-Jazeera, were reportedly injured during yesterday’s demonstration.

Reporters Without Borders offers its condolences to Al-Bureihi’s family, friends and colleagues and reiterates its appeal for an end to the violence against civilians, including journalists. The Yemeni authorities must answer for Al-Bureihi’s death.

Journalists and news media have been involved in several incidents in the past few days. Reporters Without Borders has learned that Abd Al-Karim Thail, the editor of the 3 February website, was arrested as he was leaving his Sanaa home in the company of the activist Hamir Al-Muqbili on 14 October. His website posts information about the uprising in Yemen.

The Sanaa headquarters of the privately-owned TV station Al-Saida caught fire during clashes between security forces and members of the 1st Armoured Division who are backing the protesters. The station sustained a great deal of damage and much of its equipment was destroyed.

Ever since President Saleh’s return from Saudi Arabia on 3 October, the pro-government TV stations have been waging a hate campaign against many journalists, accusing them of treason and espionage. This has triggered a wave of attacks and violence against a growing number of media personnel.

In a statement last week, the Yemeni Journalists’ Syndicate condemned the “carnage” and “relentless slaughter” of civilians and journalists by forces loyal to President Saleh and reiterated its call to the government to put a stop to the targeting of journalists.

Clashes Kill 8 in Yemeni Capital

Sana'a, October 17, 2011- Clashes between troops loyal to Yemeni President Ali Abdullah Saleh and opposition forces have killed at least eight people in the capital, Sana'a.

Medical personnel said at least three of those killed in Monday's fighting were in the city's Change Square, which has served as a center of anti-government protests. The other victims were killed in overnight clashes around Sana'a.

The clashes come a day after loyalist forces shot at protesters in the capital, killing four. Activists there said tens of thousands of people gathered Sunday to call for the president's resignation.

There were also reports that forces in the southern city of Taiz killed one person.

Saleh has remained in office despite 10 months of mass demonstrations against his 33-year rule.

Saleh repeated in a speech earlier this month that he will not hand power to long-time rivals from the opposition parties. He said they have hijacked the youth activists' protest that began earlier this year and aim to "destroy the country."

Yemen's Saleh: diplomats spreading falsehoods

By AHMED AL-HAJ Associated Press

10/16/2011

SANAA, Yemen—Yemen's embattled President Ali Abdullah Saleh charged Sunday that foreign diplomats have been misled by the country's opposition and are conveying false information about the situation in Yemen.

Saleh's criticism came before a scheduled meeting this week at the U.N. Security Council to discuss a resolution calling for an immediate cease-fire and transfer of power.

On Sunday Saleh's security forces opened fire on protesters, killing at least seven.

Addressing military officials, Saleh said the foreign ambassadors, "move from one opposition to the other, collect information and consider the information they get from the opposition as they if they are the victim whom they should support."

Saleh clings to power despite more than nine months of street protests, inspired by popular uprisings in Tunisia and Egypt.

He has balked at signing a deal backed by his powerful neighbors and the U.S. in hopes of providing a smooth transition of power. Under the agreement, Saleh would resign and hand power to his vice president in return for immunity from prosecution.

According to a Yemeni foreign ministry official, the Gulf Cooperation Council, which initiated the power transfer deal, has turned down a request by Saleh to make changes to the deal to enable him to stay in power until 2013. The official spoke on condition of anonymity because of the sensitivity of the matter.

In his speech, Saleh described the opposition as "insane (people) who can't sleep and only want to take power."

Saleh's remarks, broadcast on Yemeni state TV, came as his security forces fired at protesters marching through the capital and a southern city, killing at least five people, according to a medical official.

Mohammed al-Qubati, the director of a field hospital at Sanaa's main protest site dubbed "Change Square", also said four civilians and at least 37 people were wounded in the violence there.

Witnesses said snipers on rooftops opened fire on the crowd of tens of thousands of protesters, marching through the streets to call for Saleh's resignation.

Loyalist forces of the Republican Guard, a unit led by Saleh's son Ahmed, also lobbed tear gas at the demonstrators.

Witnesses said that the Republican Guard clashed near Change Square with the anti-government troops of renegade army general Ali Mohsen al-Ahmar, who defected and joined protests months ago. Two of al-Ahmar forces were killed.

In a statement, Al-Ahmar described Saleh as "the ignorant man who does nothing but killings."

Saleh's security forces also tried Sunday to disperse a large protest in the southern Yemeni city of Taiz, killing one woman and injuring seven other people, medical officials there said.

On Saturday, security forces fired on a huge rally of some 300,000 people in Sanaa, killing at least 12 protesters and wounding some 300.

Yemeni Forces Fire on Protesters, Killing Four

By ASSOCIATED PRESS

October 16, 2011

SANAA, Yemen—Yemeni security forces opened fire Sunday on antigovernment protesters marching through the capital killing at least four people, a medical official said.

Mohammed al-Qubati, the director of a field hospital at Sanaa's main protest site dubbed "Change Square", also said at least 37 people were wounded in the violence.

Witnesses said snipers on rooftops opened fire on the crowd of tens of thousands of protesters, marching through the streets to call for the resignation of President Ali Abdullah Saleh.

Loyalist forces of the Republican Guard, a unit led by Saleh's son Ahmed, also lobbed tear gas at the demonstrators.

Witnesses said that the Republican Guard clashed near Change Square with the antigovernment troops of renegade army general Ali Mohsen al-Ahmar, who defected and joined protests months ago.

Pro-Saleh security forces also tried Sunday to disperse a large protest in the southern Yemeni city of Taiz, killing one woman and injuring seven others, medical officials there said.

Sunday's violence comes a day after security forces fired on a massive rally of some 300,000 people in Sanaa, killing at least 12 protesters and wounding some 300.

"No immunity, no guarantees. Saleh and his aides must be prosecuted," chanted protesters in Sanaa. "Free people of the world, Saleh must be tried."

President Saleh clings to power in the face of more than nine months of massive street protests, inspired by popular uprisings in Tunisia and Egypt.

Mr. Saleh, who has been in office for 33 years, has staunchly refused to quit power.

He has balked at signing a deal that the U.S. and Saudi Arabia have backed in hopes of providing a smooth transition of power. Under the agreement, Mr. Saleh would resign and hand power to his vice president in return for immunity from prosecution.

AQAP media chief killed in Yemen

SANA'A, Oct. 15 (Saba) - Security forces have managed to kill media chief of Al-Qaeda in the Arabian Peninsula (AQAP), a security official said Saturday.
In a successful military operation, AQAP media chief Ibrahim Mohammed Saleh al-Banna'a, Egyptian, has been killed on Friday night in Azzan area of Shabwa province along with six other terrorists, the source said.
Al-Banna'a is one of the most wanted militants of al-Qaeda worldwide, he said.

Nine killed in US drone strikes on Yemen

Laura Kasinof
October 15, 2011
ADEN: Air strikes, believed to be by US drones, have killed at least nine people in Yemen, including a senior official of the regional branch of al-Qaeda and an American, the 17-year-old son of an al-Qaeda official killed by the US last month, according to the government and local reports.
Fighting also escalated in the capital, Sanaa, where at least 12 anti-government protesters were killed by security forces near the Foreign Ministry, and at least four civilians were killed in a battle near the airport, opposition officials said.
The fighting was the deadliest since the President, Ali Abdullah Saleh, returned to the country last month, and coincided with rising political tensions as all sides await a statement expected by the United Nations Security Council in coming weeks.