Yemen 2011

2011 Yemeni protests

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Yemen is in the Arab World, in the southern half of the Arabian Peninsulabordering the Arabian Sea

The 2011 Yemeni protests followed the initial stages of the 2010–2011 Tunisian uprising and occurred simultaneously with the 2011 Egyptian protests^[1] and other mass protests in the Arab world in early 2011. Protesters initially protested against governmental proposals to modify theconstitution of Yemen, unemployment and economic conditions^[2] and corruption^[3]. Their demands increased to calls for President Ali Abdullah Saleh, who has been facing internal opposition from his closest advisors since 2009,^[4] to resign.^[5][6][3] A major demonstration of over 16,000 protestors took place in Sana’a on 27 January^[7] and human rights activist and politician Tawakel Karman called for a “Day of Rage” on 3 February.^[8]

Contents [hide] 1 Background 1.1 Internal governmental opposition to Saleh 1.2 Use of pink 2 Protests 2.1 Mid-January 2.2 Since 27 January 2.3 Opposition strategies 3 Arrests 4 Reactions 4.1 Domestic 4.2 International 5 See also 6 References 7 External links

Background

Yemen has one of the lowest Human Development Index ratings in the Arab world.

Yemen is facing conflicts with al-Qaeda in the Arabian Peninsula,^[9] as well as a revolt from southern secessionists (where Osama Bin Laden is originally from) who want to see the oldSouth Yemen reconstituted. Additionally, there is also a Shia Houthi rebellion in the north of the country that wishes to be seperate.

Ali Abdullah Saleh has been president of Yemen for 32 years

Ali Abdullah Saleh has been president of Yemen for more than 30 years,^[1] and many believe his son Ahmed Saleh is being groomed to eventually replace him.^[10] Almost half of the population of Yemen live on $2 or less a day, and one-third suffer from chronic hunger.^[11] Yemen ranks #146 in the Transparency International 2010 Corruption Perceptions Index,^[12] and #15 in the 2010 Failed States Index.^[13]

A draft amendment to the constitution of Yemen is currently under discussion in parliament despite opposition protests. The amendment seeks to allow Saleh to remain in the office of president for life. He urged the opposition to take part in an election on April 27 to avoid “political suicide.”

The current parliament’s mandate was extended by two years after an agreement in February 2009 agreement the ruling General People’s Congress and opposition parties seeking a dialogue on political reforms such as: moving from a presidential system to a proportional representation parliamentary system and a more decentralised. Neither measure has not been implemented.^[14]

Internal governmental opposition to Saleh

In December 2009, United States (US) diplomat Angie Bryan referred to opposition to Saleh from Saleh’s closest advisors. Bryan wrote, “Like other Saleh watchers, xxxxx^[15] characterizes the multitude of threats facing Saleh as qualitatively different and more threatening to the regime’s stability than those during any other time in Yemen’s history. ‘Saleh is overwhelmed, exhausted by the war, and more and more intolerant of internal criticism. Saudi involvement comes at just the right time for him’ xxxxx said. Largely unprecedented criticism of Saleh’s leadership within the rarified circle of Saleh’s closest advisors has increased in recent months, even including longtime Saleh loyalists such as Office of the Presidency aides xxxxx, according to xxxxx. These names add to the growing chorus of Saleh loyalists that have shed their traditional aversion to disparaging the man they call ‘The Boss'”.^[4]

Use of pink

Main article: Colour revolution

Yemeni protesters wore pink ribbons to symbolise the “Jasmine Revolution” and indicate their non-violent intent.^[11] Shawki al-Qadi, a lawmaker and opposition figure, said pink was chosen to represent love and to signal that the protests would be peaceful.^[16] The preponderance of pink ribbons in the demonstrations showed the level of planning that went into the protests.^[16]