Yemeni opposition rejects president offer to step down by year-end

2011-03-23 By Faisal Darem in Yemen

Yemeni MPs discuss the vote in parliament about imposing a state of emergency. [Reuters/Khaled Abdullah Ali Al Mahdi]

Yemen President Ali Abdullah Saleh announced Wednesday (March 23rd) he would accept a five-point roadmap proposed by the opposition last month.

The roadmap calls on Saleh to step down by the end of 2011 and calls for early parliamentary and presidential elections. Saleh said previously he would not resign until 2013 when his current term expires.

The opposition said Saleh's acceptance of the demands is too late. Mohammed Saleh al-Qabatti, head of the political bureau of the Yemeni Social Party, which is a member of the opposition Joint Meeting Parties, told Al-Shorfa, "Time has run out for the roadmap, which would have guaranteed an honourable exit for the president, but he turned it down."

Al-Qabatti said ongoing demonstrations have changed the equation, and as a result, the opposition has increased its demands. He said the president should "step down now through measures guaranteeing an honourable exit and at the same time, meet the demands of the people".

Saleh announced a state of emergency Friday after 52 people were killed during clashes in Change square between demonstrators and government supporters. Citizens were prohibited from carrying weapons in public for 30 days. On Wednesday Parliament approved imposition of the state of emergency for a 30-day period during a special session. Only one member voted against the declaration, and questions were raised by opposition figures about whether a quorum was present. Only 164 parliament members attended the session, but there are 301 total members.

Mohammed al-Sabri, spokesman for the Preparatory Committee for National Dialogue, an opposition group, told Al-Shorfa, "The current parliament had no legitimacy to agree on the imposition of a state of emergency." He said parliament lost its popular and constitutional legitimacy in 2009, and that the extension of its term was the product of a political consensus that was made to preserve the national interest.

"The text of the constitution states that the imposition of a state of emergency must be based on the emergency law, and we do not have an emergency law," he said.

Al-Sabri added, "The state of emergency does not concern the opposition and is considered a dead declaration by a dead regime. The source of authority is the people, and the people are outside in public squares calling for the departure of the president, not the imposition of a state of emergency."

Saleh warns of civil war

On Tuesday, Saleh warned that efforts to topple his presidency could lead to civil war.

During a meeting of the Supreme Council of the Armed Forces, he said individuals who are seeking to assume power through a coup should realise that doing so is "out of the question" because the country would not be stable with a leader who acquired power by such means. He said such a move would lead to civil war.

Saleh's warning followed the announcement by dozens of army leaders that they were supporting the protesters who are demanding that Saleh resign immediately. Leaders in the ruling Congress Party and senior government positions also resigned to protest Friday's clashes.

During the meeting Saleh said, "I say clearly to the brother officers (who resigned) as a result of weakness and media intimidation. The media has terrorized them until they fell like autumn leaves, and they shall regret it," Saleh said in a speech which was later broadcast on state television.

Media reports indicated that Yemeni officials were considering a Saudi initiative that included holding presidential elections within six months as a solution to overcome the current crisis.

The proposal was introduced after Foreign Minister Abu Bakr al-Qirbi visited King Abdullah in Saudi Arabia on Monday where he delivered a message from Saleh.

The opposition was quick to declare its rejection of the initiative. Mohammed Qahtan, official spokesman for the Joint Meeting Parties told Al-Shorfa, "There is no room for any initiatives especially after the bloodshed that occurred in Sanaa Friday."

Qahtan added, "The situation in Yemen is moving toward a peaceful popular revolution, especially since the army leaders’ support balances the scale."

Regarding the possibility of civil war, Qahtan emphasised that the demonstrations would remain peaceful until the end and would not lead to a military coup. He said, "In the event of a civil war, the president and his allies are the ones who would use arms."

Tariq al-Shami, spokesman for the ruling Congress Party, told Al-Shorfa that any coup attempt against constitutional legitimacy could trigger a civil war. He called on the opposition and dissidents to obtain power through constitutional means and elections.

In response to the new Saudi initiative, al-Shami said, "We welcome any initiative ensuring a smooth transition of power through constitutional and legitimate means independent of coups, chaos and sabotage."

Protests continue amid heightened security

On Monday evening and Tuesday morning, thousands of demonstrators crowded Change Square in Sanaa demanding that Saleh issue a final statement of resignation, according to Ahmed Shabah, a member of the Media Committee for the Youth Revolution Coalition, who spoke with Al-Shorfa.

Saleh described the leaders who announced support for the demonstrators as "climbers to the chair of power." In response, leaders among the demonstrators said in a statement broadcast in Change Square that officials who joined the peaceful revolution is not a declaration of a coup, "because the era of coups has past."

They said they are committed to peaceful demonstrations and are committed to protecting the protesters.

Observers said the decision by prominent military leaders to support the demonstrators has positive and negative implications for the opposition.

Sadeq Nasher, a political analyst, contended that some of the army's divisions and top leaders joining the youth revolution is, to a large extent, a guarantee that today’s crisis in the country will not be prolonged and that the revolution will be accomplished quickly.

Nasher expressed fear of a split in the army, saying, "Many realise the seriousness of this division unless Saleh moves to provide a genuine, clear initiative, through which he specifies a date for the handover of power to a Council of Wise men, a transitional council or a national unity government in which all parties in political life are represented, first and foremost the representatives of the youth revolution."

Abdul Aziz Awdah, an analyst and a columnist, told Al-Shorfa that the army leaders who joined the opposition will create a balance of power between the government and the opposition.

He expressed displeasure over the possibility that the demonstrations would turn into an instrument used by the opposition and Army leaders, saying, "The revolution would be stolen with the involvement of these leaders."

Meanwhile, army tanks and armoured vehicles deployed in the vicinity of the Republican Palace, the Ministry of Defence, the Central Bank, the Credit Bank and the headquarters of the ruling party.

On Tuesday, troops from the First Armoured Division also took positions at the entrances to the protest square near Sanaa University to protect protesters after Friday's clashes.

WHAT DO YOU THINK OF THIS ARTICLE? (TOTAL VOTES: 3)

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READER COMMENTS

5stars

2011-7-27

Factors of chaos, instability and insecurity in Yemen may lead the country to major problems in all aspects of life, because Yemen is basically a poor country in terms of security, due to the widespread corruption. In addition, the country suffers from a lack of transparency in eradicating corruption, which has become rampant in the country's institutions, leading to the weakening of the infrastructure and the structure of state policy. Therefore, Yemen is embroiled in a quagmire of significant challenges that prevent it from achieving its objectives in order to secure stability in the country, due to the government's inability to provide security in the country by dealing with al-Qaeda. The government has not handled the difficult conditions of the citizens by developing solutions to them, in spite of the existence of oil fields and precious metals in Yemen, but it does not allocate any share of those resources to be used in the development of the country's infrastructure or to promote public health and education, and to address poverty, unemployment and diseases. This has led to increasing violence and extremism and growing al-Qaeda activity in the region, because of the presence of fertile ground for the growth of this organization, which has attracted a lot of young people and brought them under its wing by providing support and care for them. In addition, Yemen is considered a safe haven for these organizations and a starting point for exporting terrorism to the rest of the world. Today, we note that Yemen is experiencing dissent and unrest, as a result of the uprising of the masses several months ago. This led to the division of the Yemeni army and security forces into supporters of President Ali Abdullah Saleh and pro-revolution forces. This has resulted in lawlessness, after the suspension of the Yemeni armed forces and security forces specialized in fighting al-Qaeda. This enabled al-Qaeda and its supporters in the region to act freely and actively, taking advantage of the conditions of instability and preoccupation of the security forces in the current events in the country to achieve its malicious objectives in strengthening its wings in the northern or southern areas, and to introduce weapons and other equipment to carry out another terrorist attack.
sundos

2011-7-27

The events happening in Yemen are very dangerous. I wish we could see the end of these conditions which are behind the instability and insecurity in Yemen. Indeed, there is no work, no school attendance; there is nothing. Life is at a standstill in Yemen. People cannot live under such conditions. I hope that this turmoil will end soon.
محمد راشد

2011-5-13

Ali Abdullah Saleh is a statesman and to his credit, he has many good actions and sound policies, as well as his love for the Yemeni people. He has struggled in order to establish a Yemeni government which enjoys proper legitimacy and which has its own laws and can run its own affairs. Saleh is not like the other rulers that trample on the feelings of their people. However, he has been overwhelmed by the circumstances, and it is possible that he will get the right opportunity to bring Yemen back to life again, and to a better status than before. God, the Exalted, has said that God will not change the condition of a people until they change themselves. May God be exalted! Every single word of His is filled with advice and admonition. You have to realize the extent of God’s mercy. It is beyond the shadow of a doubt that His mercy is greater than everything, and that He alone knows what is hidden in people’s hearts. The conditions in Yemen could change after Saleh holds consultations with other countries and agrees with them on establishing strong relations that will help him restore Yemen to its previous condition. I am sure that those who praise Ali Abdullah Saleh have the greatest admiration and love for him, and that they want the good of Yemen and the Yemenis.
صدقي

2011-4-15

As an honorable citizen, I personally call on Yemenis to stage demonstrations and face injustice, racial oppression, clinging to power and neglecting poor people who have suffered hunger, poverty and deteriorating conditions at all levels, namely health care, services and everything. Thus, I join them and call on the government to find solutions to all outstanding problems and grant further attention to Yemen, which has become a poor and miserable country which imports used clothing. In addition, it has become a country where administrative corruption and the underdevelopment that accompanies it have spread. Tell us what the solution is and what the destiny of Yemenis will be. The people want a solution; otherwise they will behave in the same way as the brave Egyptians, who insisted on overthrowing the unjust regime of Hosni Mubarak. In fact, we wish all the best and peace for our brother, Yemen. We also hope that their demonstrations will be beneficial and bring good luck, God willing.
حماد عيسى

2011-3-30

The call for dialogue by the president is very positive, and all protesters must seize this opportunity. In fact, the opposition must delegate representatives in order to sit and discuss seriously, instead of sitting in the street, wreaking havoc and leading the country into a security and political vacuum. As far as I am concerned, President Ali Abdullah Saleh got the message and has become credible nowadays. He sent many messages to the opposition, inviting them to sit with him at the table of dialogue, since the latter may change many things. Therefore they must act quickly, because he is better than other rulers who are repressing such demonstrations, and who never propose dialogue or sit at an actual dialogue table. Let’s take advantage of the situation before the opinions change because of foreign intervention or terrorist acts that aim to destroy Yemen. Indeed, I want to salute the president for such a good initiative.
قابيل نصر

2011-3-28

Ali Abdullah Saleh invited the Yemeni opposition to sit at the table of dialogue in order to calm down the people who are going on demonstrations to achieve change and to topple his regime. In fact, this invitation did not offer anything to the Yemeni opposition. It merely aimed at calming down public opinion. The followers of the political situation in Yemen will know that the opposition is neglected and oppressed by the Yemeni regime. That is why the regime of Ali Abdullah Saleh wants to improve its image in Yemen, in order to win people’s sympathy, especially the opposition, which rejects the Yemeni regime. In fact, there is no reason for these practiced methods, because people reject this regime. Thus, this invitation will fail in the end.
وحيد مجيد

2011-3-28

I think that what has happened in the Arab region in terms of demonstrations and uprisings is due to the corrupt leaders that must be replaced, because of their failed dictatorial regimes that stole the people’s wealth during the years of their rule. Thus, what are they waiting for from oppressed and deprived people? In fact, change is an important factor in order to improve the situation in all the Arab countries. The corruption of these regimes, their inhuman practices and their repression of freedom are the reasons behind the increasing hatred of people toward these leaders. That is why they call for change, to change this miserable situation, especially since the Arabs are no longer able to endure it. Thus, we see that many countries and people have gone on demonstrations to achieve change and to topple the corrupt regimes.
سهل

2011-3-28

Those who want to make the Yemenis stop their uprising and demonstrations, saying that they are sowing discord, are really stupid, and they are the supporters of Ali Abdullah Saleh who benefit from the government regime in Yemen, and they are tyrants who oppressed the Yemeni people. Thus I think that they want to thwart the will of the demonstrators and to sow fear in their hearts, saying that Yemen may witness discord and destruction if Ali Abdullah Saleh leaves power. However, many people don’t believe that, because they are aware enough to believe these statements and descriptions. Thus, we reject these statements, because these demonstrations didn’t aim to sow discord between Yemenis, but it is a revolution of salvation, demands for change and reforms, in order to regain people’s rights.
زكريا عبدالقادر

2011-3-26

Those who demand the departure of the regime in Yemen are citizens, which implies that this is the unique demand of all the Yemeni people. In fact, the citizens have lost their hope in life because of Yemeni President Ali Abdullah Salih, who succeeded to power when he was a strong youth. Still, today he does not want to step down from power, even though he has grown old. I wonder when Ali Abdullah Salih intends to step down? Do you want to change the people because they want to change you? You cannot change the people, because they are tired of the indecent life which you force on them. The youth are suffering from the lack of job opportunities. Therefore, I think that those who call on President Ali Abdullah Salih to step down are honest citizens who are sincerely patriotic. The latter do not want to see Ali Abdullah Salih steal their fortunes. In fact, this president has been robbing his people since he took over power in Yemen. This is a public demand and not an individual one. Therefore, he must respond to these demands as soon as possible, because the Yemeni people cannot tolerate oppression any longer.
محمود محمد احمد

2011-3-26

I ask God the Almighty to save you from any more bloodshed, because the blood of a Muslim is more sacred than the Kaaba. I ask God to guide Saleh and lead him to make the right and wise decision. We belong to God the Almighty and to Him we shall return. Peace be upon you….
اصيل عريب

2011-3-26

I greet the president.
عماد الجمري

2011-3-25

They must take the required actions to improve people’s living conditions by providing the necessary services and providing job opportunities, by eradicating unemployment. In fact, unemployment makes people feel the lack of governmental care. The ruler is supposed to provide services to the people when they are unable to provide food, drinking water, medicines or other humanitarian services. Thus, the Arab leaders must step down from power, to allow those who have the ability to provide services and protection for the people, in order to help them to enjoy goodness and security through the existence of fair leaders, who work for the sake of the people’s protection.
محمد النهدي

2011-3-25

May God guide the president to all that is good, and keep him away from all that is evil. We also ask God to protect Yemen from conspiracies.
علي

2011-3-25

I am Ali Abdul Rahman Isqin from Marib Province. I support Ali Abdullah Saleh and I am ready to sacrifice my soul for his sake. I want him to complete his procession.
جلال

2011-3-25

May God help the president in this ordeal.
جمال بو خاطر

2011-3-24

Of course, every man makes mistakes, and rashness is an integral part of human nature. The leader Ali Abdullah Salih is good and he works to achieve the interests of Yemen. He spent his whole life working for the sake of Yemen and the Yemeni people. We should not forget his heroic services to the Yemeni people, because anyone who denies this is not a true Yemeni; he is a foreign agent who seeks to create problems in order to destroy our home. Yemen has passed through very difficult conditions, and this should make us ask God to help the ruler and his advisors, who tried to control the situation in Yemen in every possible way. It is illogical to accuse the leader of the state of treason or to say that he does not want good for his country; quite the contrary, he always wants it to be on top. Yemen has already deteriorated because of the circumstances and pressures that occurred in the past. The cultivation of coffee has become very limited in Yemen, due to weather conditions and the lack of water. Yemen is the top Arab exporter of coffee and Yemenis love this work, but conditions are very difficult. This has led to the deterioration of the economic situation in Yemen. Most countries use large quantities of coffee, and it has become available everywhere, and this has contributed to the deterioration of the economic situation in Yemen. This is one of the reasons. As for the demonstrations that demand rights, they are legitimate, but the Yemenis should understand things and put themselves in the shoes of the leader. What would they do under all these pressures? May God help him to bear these responsibilities.
مهي خالد

2011-3-24

I wish that this would happen, and I ask God to protect the Yemeni people and make them understand the seriousness of the current situation. Ali Abdullah Salih must fulfill his promises, to protect the high interests of his people as well as his own interests. I also call on the Yemenis to be patient this last time, to stop the bloodshed, which will lead us to nothing. God is the guide.
deyr

2011-3-24

When will this situation end in Yemen? The country is deteriorating without any progress being made in industry, commerce, trade or anything. May God help them.
عمرو

2011-3-24

The Yemeni people have suffered more than any other people in the world. The Yemenis have endured many troubles and upheavals. Now, it is very difficult and it is assumed that other peoples should stand with them, because they are in urgent need of help. The situation is deteriorating every day. There are cowardly people who allege that the demonstrations in Yemen cause turbulence and destabilize the country. However, they are hypocrites, because the demonstrators in Yemen are very brave and have strong faith in their true message. Today, Yemen is going through very bad conditions and it complains due to the lack of any services. Yemen has become economically very backward and it is seeking a way out of its ordeal. They are trying to find quick solutions in the country. In my opinion, I believe that the demonstrations in Yemen are very good, and I encourage the demonstrators. As for those who claim that these demonstrations are causing turbulence, I disagree with them, and I believe that this is one of the most important steps the Yemenis have taken.
البيحي

2011-3-24

The most important thing is the unity among the youth, because some of them call it Marching Friday, while others call it Departure Friday. We should make it the Friday of Marching and Departure.
محب الخير

2011-3-24

I think that dialogue is the beginning of the solution, because force will lead Yemen into the abyss. The president has offered many concessions, and we must now enter into a dialogue in order to reach a solution, God willing. I call on all people to conduct this dialogue and deprive the conspirators of any chance to destroy the country.
حرنفسي

2011-3-24

We wish that the country would solve this problem and get over this crisis at the lowest cost.