KIDNAPPING WITH A POSITIVE OUTCOME Adviser to the Ministry of Health and Colleague Kidnapped on Their Way to Mareb [Archives:1999/31/Front Page]

Kidnapping is one of the major problems faced by the Yemeni society. It is actually a nagging problem that needs stiff measures on the part of the government. In fact, it has become a common practice that some foreigners sometimes find interesting and funny. This is because the hostage may be held for a couple of hours or even minutes. This is actually what happened to the German adviser to the Ministry of Health Dr. Ernst. 
Tenambergen and his Yemeni colleague. They were intercepted and taken hostage by local tribesmen last Saturday ,July 7 on their way from Sana’a to Mareb but released after intensive discussions. Yemen Times talked to Dr. Tenambergen, Seconded by the German Technical Cooperation (GTZ), in Yemen since June 1997 and who believes that kidnapping can be of a positive outcome. Here is his full story. 
“We were on our way to Mareb in a vehicle of the Yemeni-German health Sector Project to assist the health Office in Mareb in planning their development and its cooperation with districts for the coming 2 years. About ? km out of Sana’a, the laughing crowd of a bus on its way to Sana’a predicted that we would be kidnapped by a group that has claims against the Government and is intercepting government vehicles and foreigners. We realized that after a couple of safe trips to mareb we had become too careless. Our colleagues in mareb had not been informed properly about our departure to send their guards in time and collect us from Sana’a as usual and we were driving in our 4-wheel drive Mercedes instead of the small Opel that would get stuck already after 10 meters off the tarmac. We surely did not like to get taken hostage but we also did not want to cancel the 3-day planning workshop with 30 people waiting. We decided to rely on the traditional Yemeni virtues of hospitality fairness and practical common sense and continued or voyage.” 
“Fifteen minutes later it happened. Two men on the road side took their Kalashnikofs when we passed and shot into the air. Three hundred meters further on two young tribesmen with guns stopped us. We stepped out of the vehicle while the leader of the group came running from the place where the shots had been fired. When we explained that we were on a mission for the Ministry of health he became very furious. He shouted that the government is not giving them anything and swore that they would keep us hostage. By then about 20 more tribesmen had gathered.””We explained to them very politely: The Ministry of Health is realizing that support for Mareb and other rural areas was insufficient and that our mission was part of a new program to change this and help Mareb. It would be to the disadvantage of the local population if those who want to come and assist Mareb could not feel safe. Although we had been warned we had continued our travel in order to see them and explain this to them. We should be allowed to continue our mission.””Then it all developed as we had hoped. There was a discussion of nearly one hour. At one stage, an elder tribesman took of his turban, lowered it in front of the leader of the intercepting group and pleaded for our release. The leader calmed down. We promised to see him in his village on our next trip to Mareb, shook hands and proceeded. 
On our way back to Sana’a we felt very safe with two tribesmen from Mareb as guides and guards in the vehicle.” 
Amendment: 
“I hesitated to talk too much about the event. It might harm tourism, our “kidnappers” and even the security forces along the road who allowed us to pass. But on the other hand, the lessons which can be learned may balance these disadvantage.””Obviously, the unacceptable, violent action of some tribesmen is not merely chaotic and arbitrary. Also these ones seemed to have a case. We did not try to find out which one, but after knowing Mareb now for one year we dare to say that among other features of underdevelopment there is no functioning social infrastructure in the governorate. The Ministry of health has paid much more attention to Mareb in the last year. By this it does not only fulfill a humanitarian obligation, it also contributes to national security. A fair share is social services is known to strengthen the feeling of identity with the nation especially in border regions.””There will still be a period of uncertainty and misunderstanding. But this experience reinforces me believe that common sense has a chance everywhere as long as there is dialogue.” 
 

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