Continuing protests will be fatal for Yemen

The current state of affairs in Yemen is disturbing. There is a deep level of uncertainty and an alarming continuation of instability. Yemen has to bring back a sense of security and unity so that it is able to move towards the stage of nation-building.

The common factor so far in Yemen is the large number of protests. These are taking place regardless of the fact that an agreement that paved the way for the transfer of power has been reached between Yemeni President Ali Abdullah Saleh and opposition groups. But after much delay and the overcoming of various obstacles with regard to the matter, the country seems to still be at the crossroads. It is not clear as to whether it will be gripped by civil war or will be able to move on to the future.

Recent events are evidence of this dangerous situation. Yemeni forces recently opened fire on thousands of demonstrators, killing at least nine people. The protesters were demanding that Saleh be prosecuted and not be given any immunity. This demand, of course, stands in contradiction to the previous agreement that the Yemeni president be spared from any prosecution in exchange for giving up power. Furthermore, clashes have also taken place between supporters of the Islah Islamist party and members of the Al Houthi rebel movement, also in relation to the same issue.

Such events will no doubt continue until and unless the leaders of all the concerned parties in Yemen come to an agreement that it is time for nation-building. Protests have become the norm for almost a year now and their continuation would prove to be fatal for the country's future. Yemen deserves closure on the chapter of confrontations, killings and violence once and for all.