Sana’a: “We feel like animals without a master, not sure where we are going. There is no security, electricity or water — it’s just gone so bad,” shouted Mohammad Al Qalisi, 23, studying radio and television broadcasting at Sana’a University. Yemen plunged into deeper chaos after the resignation of the president and prime minister, an hour apart, on January 22.
Since then, Al Houthi rebels have overrun president Abd Rabbo Mansour Hadi’s private residence and presidential palace. After escaping the arrest and returning to Aden, the president rescinded his resignation. On Monday, Prime Minister Khalid Bahah managed to flee Sana’a where he was under house arrest.
Since Hadi’s departure from Sana’a, Gulf countries have rallied behind him by reopening their embassies in Aden mid-February after their closure in Sana’a. So far, the US has not decide to reopen its embassy in Aden, although they continue to back Hadi as the legitimate president of Yemen.
Aden, the flourishing southern port used to be the capital of the People’s Democratic Republic of Yemen (PDRY) after its independence from the British, until the unification of North Yemen in 1990.
Nonetheless, the idea of moving the capital to Aden has transfixed Yemenis.
For some, the relocation is unfathomable, while others believe it could be a temporary solution until the Al Houthis cease their occupation of Sana’a.
Change in constitution
For now, the declaration that Aden is the new capital of Yemen is largely symbolic. Legally, moving the capital would require a change in the constitution.
Without a parliament and a constitution, Hadi has no access to a cabinet or finances for administration.
The idea of moving the capital to Aden was first presented by southern delegates attending the National Dialogue Conference back in March 2013. They believe this could be done as a part of the six-region federalism plan proposed by some and adopted by Hadi. The majority of southerners firmly reject a capital in Sana’a as a part of a larger federation.
Walid Al Bakili, a paediatrician from Aden supported federalism before the rebels occupied Sana’a, but now does not think it’s a good idea.
“Sana’a is controlled by arms and the security situation and government is weak,” he said. Aden, he says, is a better alternative.
“There is good infrastructure, sanitation, water and it’s quite modern,” he added.
Niyazi Al Ashwal, works in the Ministry of Public Works and Highways in Sana’a. He estimates a minimum of eight years to have the right infrastructure for a relocation to Aden.
“This will require preparation of the headquarters of all ministries, the central bank, the presidency, parliament, state institutions, embassies, and housing for employees,” he emphasised.
Al Qalisi thinks the relocation won’t happen and the move could be an alternative solution until the political situation resolves.
While UN Envoy to Yemen, Jamal Bin Omar and GCC countries back the constitutional legitimacy of the president, what remains to be seen is whether Hadi will be able to rule from Aden.
Despite his origins from the south, he is viewed as a traitor due to his support for unity, which goes against some factions of Al Hirak Al Janoub or the Southern Movement.
Since his arrival in Aden, Hadi has yet to publicly address the people.
“It is unclear what Hadi’s relationship with Hirak will be,” said Fernando Carvajal, a US-based expert in Yemen affairs.
“Many factions of Hirak would not accept Hadi as they are fundamentally against the idea of unity,” he added.
For Mohammad Al Anesi, who runs a construction business in the capital, Hadi is a weak president and cannot rule in Sana’a or Aden.
Last week, Aden’s special forces commander Abdul Hafez Al Saqqaf refused to step down, defying orders from Hadi.
Instead, he insisted he would only take orders from the presidential council in Sana’a.
Meanwhile, the relationship between Special Security Forces (SSF) and popular committee members loyal to Hadi in Aden has strained.
Regardless of Aden’s former ‘capital’ status, becoming the capital again may ruffle a few feathers in the south, Carvajal said.
“Shabwa and Hadramout cannot afford to allow Aden to gain any power over them or become the decision maker in the future shape of a southern state.”
Not surprisingly, Hadi’s announcement of Aden as the capital has enraged former president Ali Abdullah Saleh.
Saleh accused Hadi of conspiring with the separatists. Conversely, Saleh has been widely accused of backing the Al Houthi coup after Arab-Spring inspired protests which began in 2011 eventually ousted him from the presidency after more than 33 years in power.
