Yemen: Orderly transition to old guard rule. U.S. approved

The reason the Yemen presidential election is held up as a model is that it involves a transition that the U.S. and neighbouring Arab states regard as in their interests. The fact that this is a deal imposed from the outside by the GCC with the approval of the U.S. and Saudi Arabia is neither here nor there.

The fact that former president Saleh gets to go scot free of any liability for his killing of protesters is not to be mentioned. That his vice president is sole candidate for president does not matter. Nor does it matter that Saleh's relatives still have important roles in the government. In fact some of his relatives run the security forces.

As many protesters thought from the beginning those from the military who joined them were fair weather friends. Now they can participate with the old guard in sharing power they are joining in supporting the vice-president.

The U.S. backs the Saleh approved sole candidate Mansour Hadi a major general. Basically the entire Saleh regime remains in place. Meanwhile Saleh is in the U.S. for medical treatment. Don''t expect the U.S. to hold him responsible for his crimes. Saleh was a good guy helping out in the war on terror as will Hadi.

No doubt many protesters will boycott the elections as wiill Houthi rebels in the north and separatists in the south. One can expect continuing repression of anyone who disagrees with this new model transition to rule by the old guard in Yemen. For more see this article.

UN: Amnesty Deal with Saleh violates International Law

    A deal worked out by the GCC (Gulf Co-operation Council) would give President Saleh of Yemen amnesty from prosecution for any crimes both to himself, his family, and his aides. The deal was supported by the United States.
 After stalling for a lengthy period, Saleh finally signed the deal. Power was to be transferred to his vice-president although Saleh would retain the title of president for some time. Many opposition policies also supported the deal and were given in return some positions in the transitional government. However, many in Saleh's family still serve in important positions as well.
    The UN High Commissioner for Human Rights Navi Pillay noted: “I have been closely following the events in Yemen, particularly the very contentious debate about an amnesty law to be presented to Parliament shortly,” “International law and the UN policy are clear on the matter: amnesties are not permissible if they prevent the prosecution of individuals who may be criminally responsible for international crimes including war crimes, crimes against humanity, genocide, and gross violations of human rights.”
   Protesters in Yemen take the same position as the UN commissioner. However with the U.S. and important regional powers supporting the amnesty it is unlikely that Saleh and his family will ever face justice or be held accountable for their actions including responsibility for ordering crackdowns that killed many protesters.

President Saleh to remain in Yemen

   Outgoing president of Yemen Ali Saleh has flip flopped again as he has many times on other issues. After claiming that he was going to the U.S. for medical treatment he has now said that he will remain in Yemen.
   Saleh may be attempting to ensure that his family and party retains control of events. There are both internal revolts and also protesters in the streets.
   A son and nephew of Saleh command the Republic Guard and Central Security forces giving them a great deal of power. Under an agreement brokered by the GCC with the support of the Saudis and the U.S. Saleh transferred power to his vice president Abed Hadi. He will formally relinquish the presidency after he is granted immunity.
   Protesters reject the deal. They want Saleh and others to be held responsible for the deaths of many protesters and other crimes. Unrest has increased with strikes in many government institutions. The military has seen defections in support of the protesters.
  In a statement Saleh said: “It is not possible in any way, shape or form to allow the collapse of state establishments and institutions that have been built over the last 49 years,”  Translated this means that Saleh has decided to stay in Yemen and work to retain the power of his family and himself. For more see this article.

Yemen: Deal sells out protesters

The deal was brokered by the Gulf Cooperation Council with the support of Saudi Arabia and the United States. The deal will grant immunity from prosecution for president Saleh, his family, and aides in return for his relinquishing power.
  Within 30 days Saleh pledges to leave power which will then be granted to his vice president Abdrabuh Hadi. Important positions in the government no doubt will still be held by members of his family. Presidential elections are scheduled to take place within 90 days.
   In a speech at the transfer Saleh called the protests a coup and did not mention their demands that he be held responsible for his crimes against the protesters. Saleh spoke of the opposition groups that welcomed the deal as his brothers. They are his brothers in selling out the protesters agenda to the status quo. The Saudi King said that the signing represents a new page in the history of Yemen.
  Now Saleh 69 is free to go to New York where he seeks medical treatment. Soon after the announcement of the deal protests have broken out in the capital Sanaa. The protesters reject the deal. They want Saleh and his family to be held responsible for the deaths of many protesters during protests that began last spring. Yemen still faces separatist uprisings in both the south and north as well as challenges from militant Islamist groups who have taken over considerable territory. For more see this article.