Yemen - Dancing on the Heads of Snakes

Leading the transitional government in Yemen, President Abed Rabbu Mansour Hadi faces many complex challenges as he learns how to ‘dance on the heads of snakes’, an expression often used by the former president Saleh, to epitomize the difficulties faced within the fractionalized state and it’s shifting democratic concerns. After decades of post-civil war government predation and weak central control of the state many of Yemen’s problems have become increasingly worse. Hiding under a veil of democracy the country has failed to construct a stabile state as the complex system of tribal, religious and regional affiliations grow more prevalent. The state has continued to erode as political power becomes less significant and various groups find an increased strength in money and weapon. As one of the worlds most heavily armed countries it is no surprise Yemen’s civilians have grown increasingly militarized and diluted with advantageous outside actors contributing to its weakened state. Engulfed in a variety of conflicts the young population of Yemen will bare the brunt of the diminished living standards and economic collapse. The depleting oil and water resources accompanied by a rapid population growth only further complicate the problem. In an attempt to foster democratic transition, Mr. Hadi has promoted national reconciliation with the support of UN Security Council and much of the international community. Hadi has scheduled a national dialogue conference on March 18 and is encouraged by the council to incorporate all factions tied to the political transition of the country. As discussed earlier the lack of objective power within the government has allowed for a more subjective strength in weapons and outside actors to pose a greater threat for the country. The UN Security Council was recently asked by Yemeni authorities to investigate a ship they had seized with cargo of Iranian-made bomb-making material, suicide belts, explosives, rockets, and other weapons, believed to be used to interfere with upcoming dialogue process. While still under investigation the council’s main unease rests in outside influence of weapons and money into Yemen for the purpose of undermining the transition. The UN Security Council warned possible sanctions upon Yemen’s former president and Mr. Hadi, along with other groups, who posed a serious threat to the countries democratic transition and national unity efforts. http://www.aljazeera.com/news/middleeast/2013/02/201321681558104725.html