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Political Ideology of Yemen

Framework of  Presidential Representative Democratic Republic

President of Yemen is the Head of State, while Prime Minister (who is appointed by President) is Head

of Government. President is elected by popular vote from atleast 2 candidates supported by Parliament.

Presidential Term of office is of 7 years and Parliamentary Term of Elected Office is of 6 years.

Notionally, Yemen has a multi-party system but in reality it is completely dominated by one party, the

General People’s Congress and has been since unification.

Executive Power is vested with the Government. Legislative Power is vested in both the Government

and Parliament. Judiciary is theoretically independent but is prone to interference from the Executive

Branch

Yemen is a republic with Bicameral Legislature.

Under the constitution, the people who share power include:

-  Elected President

-  Elected 301-seat House of Representatives

-  Appointed 111-member Shura Council

Political Background

For Hundreds of Years, Yemen was ruled by Imams. Imams and Kings of Yemen were religious

leaders belonging to the Zaidiyyah branch of  Shia Islam.  – Secular and Religious Rule from 897

This Rule existed until the Republican Revolution in 1962 and came to an end with the assassination of

Iman Yehia. This son succeeded him, but the political situation ended with the North Yemen Civil War

and setting of new Republic Regime.

In North, pro-republican and pro-monarch forces fought to come into power. While South was

under British Control

In 1960s – British sought to incorporate all of the Aden Protectorate territories into the

Federation. Together with several states, they formed the Protectorate of South Arabia.

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In 1963 – Fighting between Egyptian and British Led Saudi financed Guerillas in the Yemen Arab

Republic led to the formation of National Liberation Front who hoped to drive the British out of

Saudi Arabia

1n 1964 – British announced their intention to hand over power to Federation of Saudi Arabia

except that the military would remain

In the meantime, hostilities increased and there were around 280-500 guerilla attacks.

In 1966 - British Government announced that all British forces would be withdrawn at

independence

In response – security situation deteriorated with the creation of the socialist Front for the

Liberation of Occupied South Yemen (FLOSY) which started to attack the NLF in a bid for power,

as well as attacking the British

The Royal Marines, who had been the first British troops to occupy Aden in 1839, were the last

to leave. The Federation of South Arabia collapsed and Southern Yemen became independent

as the People's Republic of South Yemen. 

Since then, Yemen has suffered from a highly fractured political landscape, which is the legacy

of the regime of President Ali Abd Allah Saleh, who came to power in 1978 and formally

resigned his office in February 2012

Major political happenings

  Reunification

The Republic of Yemen (ROY) was declared on 22 May 1990 with Saleh becoming

President and al-Baidh Vice President. For the first time in centuries, much of  Greater

Yemenwas politically united. A 30-month transitional period for completing,

the unification of the two political and economic systems was set.

A unity constitution was agreed upon in May 1990 and ratified by the populace in May

1991, which affirmed Yemen's commitment to free elections, a multiparty political

system, the right to own private property, equality under the law, and respect of basic

human rights.

In early 1993, the two former ruling parties, the GPC and the YSP, merged to create a

single political party with an overall majority in the new House of Representatives. 

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 In January 1994, representatives of the main political parties signed a document of

pledge and accord in Amman, Jordan, that was designed to resolve the ongoing crisis.

Despite this, clashes intensified until civil war broke out in early May 1994.

  Yemeni Uprising

The 2011 Yemeni protests followed the initial stages of the Arab Spring and began

simultaneously with the Egyptian Revolution. The protests were initially against

unemployment, economic conditions and corruption, as well as against the

government's proposals to modify the constitution of Yemen. 

  Houthi Insurgency

In northern Yemen, where a large Shi’a Zaydi population lives, Saleh's regime has for

decades alienated this community through discriminatory religious and political policies.

Saleh, with the help of some elements in Saudi Arabia, had promoted strongly anti-Zaydi

groups of  Salafi Muslims in this region.

This ultimately dragged the Saudi Arabian military into the fray, leading to considerable

property destruction and a large refugee problem. In 2011, as Saleh's power waned in

the provinces as a result of the uprising against him, the Houthis took control over large

areas of the north, but still remain outside the political framework of government.

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  By early March 2012, a number of important steps forward had been taken: theswearing in of an interim power-sharing government, the establishment of abipartisan committee to oversee immediate and long-term stabilizationmeasures including the standing down of rival militias. Interim President  – Abdrabu Mansur Hadi 

  UN Benomar saw a movement still ―hungry for change‖ but also open todialogue on the way forward in Yemen.  ―The voices of the youth must beheard,‖ he said 

  Meanwhile, Benomar has also called on the international community to―upscale‖ its level of support for Yemen’s political, economic, humanitarian andsecurity needs and has indicated that the UN system — agencies, funds,programmes — would be retooling its assistance with an eye towardsupporting implementation of the transition plans. 

―The situation in Yemen remains highly fragile. Now is not the time for

complacency,‖ the UN envoy said. 

Charactersketch of colonel

Supporter and loyalist of Saleh

Mr Hadi's transitional government has since struggled to contain an Al Qaeda insurgency while trying toremove Saleh loyalists from key positions.

But many Yemenis are frustrated with the slow pace of progress and the National Dialogue Conference(NDC) launched in March aims to address their grievances.

Key points to note for Negotiation/ Communication

-  Westerner’s use a logical approach, Arab’s use personal and emotional appeal - Arab’s don’t like facts 

-   Arab’s have superiority complex, religion strongly influences politics and behavior  

-  Conservative 

-  Importance to impress others with integrity 

-   Arab’s take their time, arrive late 

-  Weak must be respected and protected 

-  Friend is a person who cannot refuse your request nor can you refuse their.

-  Talk a lot about their Family and Connections – ―Uncle is in the army, etc etc . If the Arab boastsabout his connections, then he is showing of his value of personal relationships. 

-  Do not appear detached and reluctant to accept favours

-  Expect regular praise for their done, NO Criticism

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-  Lavish gifts are considered Bribes, you don’t give gifts. Gifts are given by close friends and ifacquaintances give gifts then it is considered an insult

-  Closer Personal Distance, maintain good eye contact

-  Like Flattery

-  Don’t be shy, and if you talk less it won’t be appreciated, louder volumes also are preferred  

Stages of Negotiation

1. Exploration

-  Objective of this Phase would be to quote the colonel and establish a sense offriendship as Arabs expect sincerity and friend for them is a person who cannot refuse yourrequest nor can you refuse their  

o  Greetings – light handshake, sometimes handshake might linger and lead to handholding

o  Indirect style of communication over direct. Avoiding confrontation and saving face isimportant.

o  Polite and Respectful and Listen intently

o  Closer Personal Distance, maintain good eye contact

2. Bidding

-  Objective: Building relationships starting with small favours which constantly become big ones

o  Don’t quote a price from your side, wait for him to quote a price 

o  Lavish gifts are considered Bribes, you don’t give gifts. Gifts are given by close friendsand if acquaintances give gifts then it is considered an insult

o  Importance to impress others with integrity 

3. Bargaining

Redundant stage because Yemeni’s don’t like Bargaining.

4. Settling

Don’t close the connection established as if it is a formal business deal, Leave the dooropen for future business