Saleh's Empty Promises

With the announcement that President Ali Abdullah Saleh will allow for new elections in order to facilitate a peaceful transition. But in his speech that addressed the entire nation, he calls protestors terrorists and agents of Al-Qaeda. This not only angered protestors, but has and will spark more violence and protests. It’s a slap in the face to the Yemeni people. I do not see how one can call the people protesting terrorists, when the violence is being caused by the governments own men, their own army. Violent crackdowns are on the rise and this is not a good sign for a peaceful transition, no matter how much it is wanted. With violence increasing since Saleh’s arrival back in Yemen, hopes for a peaceful, stable conversion of power have all but vanished. 

President Ali Abdullah Saleh shown here giving his first speech since arriving back in Yemen.

                But one would hope that maybe elections might work, that maybe if events do not deteriorate too quickly, maybe the elections will actually lead to change. But really, that does not look like it will happen. Recently, Saleh has announced that once allies who defected to the opposition will not be allowed to run in the elections if they are to be had. His reason?  "If we transfer power and they are there, this will mean that we have given in to a coup. If we transfer power, and they are in their positions, and they are still decision makers, this will be very dangerous. This will lead to civil war." 

                Really Saleh? Really? You’re saying you don’t want to give into a coup huh? Are you blind? Are you freaking blind, do you not see the thousands of people rallying in the streets, putting their lives on the line, on hold, just to protest you?! It seems the same veil of blind power has fallen over Saleh’s face as it has over Gaddafi’s and Assad’s. Civil war may very well break out not due to supposed coups and “unfair” elections. Unfair elections have happened for years. No, civil war will break out because the Yemeni people are getting frustrated with the lack of progress from Saleh and the increased violence from the government. This is what happened in Libya, and this may very well happen in Yemen. And if this happens in Yemen, it could be much, much worse. Al Qaeda’s known to be strong in the south and tribal rivalries often lead to outbreaks of violence. With such a volatile society already, a civil war may be the worst thing for Yemen right now. But sadly, it might be the only way.