Moral Strength  Solves Many Problems [Archives:1998/51/Viewpoint]

The month of Ramadhan is perceived by Muslims as the holiest of times. There are many reasons for this, and I am not here to explain why. The simple fact is that most Muslims tend to become more devout and more pious at this time. I suppose, this would include our politicians.
This is interesting because character development and moral strength are two elements which would help the regime grow out of its many problems. If our rulers and their proteges were to show more self respect and dignity in their interaction with the public and the nation’s resources, I believe more citizens would accept their authority.
In the recent past, we have had more disturbing violence. More explosions, more kidnappings, and more shoot-outs. It is very clear from this continued violence that the state has lost much of its ability to reign in the violators. Putting it differently, more and more citizens find it possible and acceptable to defy the authority of the officials and the state they represent.
The “law-breakers” give simple answers. Those who should be upholding the law – government people – are also among the first to break them. Thus, the authorities are in no position to play the “holier than thou” game since they do not command a higher moral ground vis-avis the violators.
One friend explained it like this. “Do you know why junior clerks and ordinary soldiers openly ask for bribes, steal government money and openly break the law? It is because they know that their superiors cannot hold them accountable, because they are bigger crooks.”
The same applies, for example, to the kidnappers. In part, they kidnap innocent people – foreigners, businessmen, etc. – and use their hostages to blackmail the official authorities or other people. One main purpose is to make money, although the kidnappers also bring up other demands such as implementation of development projects, employment of local cadres, etc.
Government officials cannot look these people in the eye and tell them: ‘You are thieves.’ I remember an interesting episode during the visit of the Minister of Interior to Marib in his attempt to release hostages earlier this year. The kidnappers told him they wanted money in return for the release of the foreign hostages. “You mean the purpose behind your efforts is to get money illegally?” he asked them. They whisked back, “Yes, just like you.”
President Ali Abdullah Saleh’s regime cannot address these problems unless it employs clean and capable people. There are plenty of these, although the President has consistently gone on the record for choosing the worst available personnel.
I want to repeat for the hundredth time. Leading a nation or even a company requires a certain legitimacy. It involves a contract. The leader has to command certain moral authority in the way he/she behaves. If this moral authority is eroded, the ability of that leader is badly undermined. That is why many Yemenis who can defy the authorities do so. Many more would have done the same if they knew they could get away with it or they could with-stand the backlash of the authorities.
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