Restoring security and political stability in Yemen is a top priority for President Abd Rabbo Mansour Hadi, but how far he is prepared to go to attain the objective remains to be seen. So far, the government has been unable to deliver social justice and economic reforms. A major reason cited for this lack of progress is continuing political instability. Coupled with a serious security threat, this has been a deterrent for the country to move beyond the chokehold of the past.
Therefore, it is heartening to note President Hadi’s initiative to end the power struggle within the military — between the transitional setup and former president Ali Abdullah Saleh’s relatives and allies. Fortunately, Brigadier General Ahmad Saleh seems to have agreed to be given the command of a military region in an institutional reshuffle. Integral to the shakeup was the abolishing of the powerful military unit, the Republican Guard, headed by Saleh. The son of the former president is seen as a contentious figure whose influence over Saleh’s allies in the army continues to cast a pall on administrative affairs. As a result of the power wrangling, Yemen’s security has nose-dived further. Not only has Al Qaida in the Arabian Peninsula (AQAP) consolidated its influence, but the overall law and order situation has deteriorated with a sharp rise in kidnappings of foreigners, murders and tribal conflicts. It is highly important that all factions set aside their differences and work together to counter the serious challenges facing the country. The progress achieved must not be wasted.
