Sana'a: Granting immunity to Yemen's Ali Abdullah Saleh so that he will step down in exchange is necessary to end political deadlock in the country, Moustafa Noman, Yemen's ambassador to Spain told Gulf News in an interview.
"Those who supporting the decision took into consideration the interests of the country. Opponents should understand that the country has been put under international guardianship and progess could take a lot of time unless people let bygones be bygones. While I supported the law politically, I truly sympathsze with those who lost their loved ones during the revolution," Noman said.
Secessionist fears
Addressing his concerns over the future of a post-revolutionary Yemen, Noman said Yemen's secessionist movement in the south was the most pressing issue to be resolved.
"In southern Yemen, the boiling situation is being administrated by a stubborn mentality that does not create any chance for quiet dialogue away from the implications of civil war. I understand the marginalisation and suppression the people in the south suffered, but this should not drive them to deny that Yemenis are all part of one nation regardless of different customs."
Noman suggested that senior politicians of the south who are living in exile should be involved in the solution. "I have said many times that Ali Salem Al Baidh and Ali Nasser Mohammad (former presidents of ex-South Yemen state) can significantly contribute to the national dialogue and take a lead in preserving the country's unity."
Other pressing challenges Yemen faces are the paralyzed economy, lack of services for the people, and Al Houthi and Al Qaida groups vying for influence, according to Noman.
Political scene ‘shrouded in mystery'
The current political scene in Yemen is extremely shrouded in mystery as the country is going through "an unprecedented transitional period", Noman said. "The beneficiaries from the old regime increased their interests. There are no institutions that could restore the country's dignity. This could lead to comprehensive anarchy and the collapse of the existing authorities."
Noman warns that this "vague" situation could produce a generation of terrorists. "This[chaotic]panorama is breeding ground for hardliners like Al Qaida who extended in the southern and middle areas of the country Al Houthi a rebel Shiite group, have not yet decided to turn into a political entity but they could also benefit from the situation. These two parties (Al Qaida and Al Houthi) greatly concern me along with many others."
Noman praised the current prime minister Mohammad Basindwa as a clean man. "The new unity government is led by an accredited veteran figure. I believe he has sincere intentions to bring about a bright future for a new Yemen. However, his government has very few resources to face the challenges. An important message he did send however is that there would be no revenge on the former regime."
Despite all his concerns, Noman remains optimistic about presidential elections slate for November 21. "I am quite sure that acting president Abd Rabu Mansour Al Hadi and Prime Minister Mohammad Baswinda will lay the foundation for a modern civilian state based on a constitution that preserves people's rights."
Youth should form parties
He also called upon young protesters, who have been camping out for more than a year demanding the ouster of the former-regime, to form political parties. "The youth are the generators of change in the country. They should now engage in the political process either by setting up their own political entities or joining existing ones."
