Sheik Ameen Al-Ukaimi to Yemen Times “Conflicts Between Al-Jawf’s Tribes Emanate from Political Disputes” [Archives:2000/16/Interview]

Yemen is suffering from tribal disputes and kidnapping incidents, both of which have grave effects on our country.
Sheik Ameen Al-Ukaimi is a Member of Parliament for Al-Jawf governorate and member of the Consultative Council. He is also a member of the Islah party . Sheik Ameen has asserted that kidnapping of the American expert Kenneth White was masterminded by Al-Monkid Company because some officials in the government refused to settle its case. He also said that the incidents of Marib and Al-Jawf in July 1997, were a direct result of the government’s declaration of war against the citizens of these governorates which aimed at silencing their protests against raising kerosene prices. To shed light on this serious matter of kidnapping and its reasons and some other related issues, Hassan Al-Zayedi of The Yemen Times met Mr. Al-Ukaimi and filed this interview.
Q: What are the biggest and most important tribes living in Al-Jawf governorate?
A: All the inhabitants of Al-Jawf are tribesmen. There are many tribes living in Al-Jawf, the largest of whom is Dahma, and many other tribes branch from it like Bani Nawf, Hamdan and many others.
Q: Why are there continued wars and conflicts between these tribes?
A: Conflicts between Al-Jawf’s tribes result from political disputes. After the eruption of 26 September revolution Jawf’s tribes constituted a very big striking force possessing all types of weapons that pose threat to both Yemeni and Saudi sides. This has led to create seditions and wars among them. What is occurring now is the product of the current events in our country whether by officials in the government or by political parties.
In the past the family of Hameed Al-Deen used to think that if the tribesmen were educated that would pose a danger threatening their rule. Now, the politician say if these tribes calmed down and got reconciled, that would endanger their rule, which in my opinion, is a wrong conclusion.
Q: What about the incidents of Marib and Al-Jawf of 1997 between civilians and army units where more than 53 were killed? How you feel about the clashes with army units occurring every now and then in Al-Jawf?
A: Most of the clashes between tribesmen and the government are resulting from suffering of tribesmen and their unemployed youth as well as from the misbehavior by some government officials. As regards the 1997 incidents, they resulted from the government oppression of the citizens’ peaceful protests against the increase of prices the government tried to implement.
Q: What were the tribes’ requests and what means were used to have them met?
A: I was in London during that period, but the means the tribes had used were that they placed blocks on the main roads against government vehicles by uprooting trees and putting them across the roads, in order to calm the situation down so that nobody -not even the media- would know about it; The government declared war against these tribes.
Q: Al-Jawf governorate is one of the arable governorates where the civilization of Himyar and Ma’aeen were born. Many tourists come to visit Al-Jawf. However the kidnapping incidents may hamper tourism prospects there. What’s your comment on that and what measures do you think should be followed to put an end to them?
A: Al-Jawf has many arable lands and lots of water springs. However, agriculture does not flourish in it as it should be. The reason is that the government itself does not care much and fights agriculture and farmers in the governorate by following futile economic policies.
As regards historical places, Al-Jawf is famous for its ancient civilizations and ruins like the cities of Barkeet, Ma’aeen (the original city), Al-Sawda’a, Al-Bayda’a and many other cities. Unfortunately, the government is not bearing its responsibility in taking care of these ancient cities. Now, regarding the kidnapping phenomenon, I consider it a phenomenon that arises from inside the authority or as a result of pressures against the government from within itself. There are cases when citizens express their demands. Some of their demands focus on paving a road or building a medical unit or a school or even granting social security pensions. They want through these ways to send a message calling the attention of the government to their needs.
Q: What about the kidnapping incident of the American expert Kenneth White?
A: Sultan Al-Arada and I were not aware of the incident of kidnapping the American expert White until we were informed by the authority in Sana’a. We had no idea of the identity of the kidnappers till Sultan received a phone call from the kidnappers and it was then that the authorities in Sana’a were informed. Therefore, as members of the parliament we were accused of being responsible for this incident by some analysts and officials because they do not have enough information about the nature of the incident although in reality they are the actual people in charge. So, I would like to assure that we only knew about the incident after the news came from Sana’a.
Q: Was Al-Monkid really responsible for White’s kidnapping? How was the incident solved?
A:Basically, the incident was personal and then it was politicized. Several parties took part in triggering it. There were tribal parties as well as Al-Monkid company. The tribes, on the one hand think that their internal disputes are not paid due attention by the government to settle them Al-Monkid company wanted to press the government to settle its issues. I have learnt that the company had for some months before the kidnapping incident drawn a plot to execute the incident. It had then put it into action it by using persons from Ma’areb and Al-Jawf.
Q:What details do you know about the mediation to release the kidnapped?
A: As I have said earlier, Sultan was told by telephone about the demands of the kidnappers. Then, we received the American expert and handed him over to Sana’a after reaching an agreement with them. As for mediation for solving the company’s issue, I believe that the president, vice president and Sheik Abdullah Al-Ahmar are engaged as a commission for discussing it; Undoubtedly they would find a solution.
Q: Was the motives of the kidnapping to retrieve the rights of Al-Monkid Company?
A: Yes, that was a clear demand from them and it was discussed in a meeting with Sheik Abdullah Bin Hussein Al-Ahmar. This took place before the release of the American expert, but then things developed to separate the kidnapping incident from their case.
Q: People look at citizens of Al-Jawf as kidnappers and highwaymen and that Al-Jawf is a stronghold for them; What is your comment?
A: I would like to clarify that stealing cars and kidnapping incidents are means through which citizens to cause more troubles for the government. It is the authorities who passed its problems to Al-Jawf, but as for the people of Al-Jawf, they honor nobility, dignity and are famous for generous hospitality.
Q: Is it true that Al-Jawf has become a location for car stealing gangs? And are they merely inhabitants of Al-Jawf or do they come from other governorates as well?
A: Yes, that is true. However, those gangs come from all governorates like Sana’a, Marib, Aden and others as well. This is an outcome of unemployment and deteriorated economic conditions.
Q: Is it also because Al-Jawf is situated close to Yemeni borders and due to continuous accusations against its residents?
A: Residents of Al-Jawf and Marib are not agents to anybody and the real agents are inside the authorities and the proofs are many and clear.
Q: We notice that Al-Jawf area is a deserted governorate that lacks many public services. Why? What is your role as a parliament member?
A: It is clear that Al-Jawf governorate is neglected and this is the government’s policy. They do not want the inhabitants of Al-Jawf to be educated. Moreover, they do not get equal treatment in employment. They are deprived of senior posts. firm that Bedouins are the genuine Arabs.There are many educated persons from Al-Jawf qualified for such posts.
However, they are blamed to be Bedouins. I would like to confirm that Bedouins are the genuine Arabs.
Q: Are you implying that if the people of the governorate run the administration they would do better and solve their problem?
A: Yes, that would have solved so many problems. However, the government does not want to do that. I believe that our people here are more qualified since they have better knowledge of the traditions and customs of their people and subsequently they would be more able to solve their own problems and disputes.
Q: Does this mean that officials in Al-Jawf cannot deal with the residents of Al-Jawf?
A: Yes, these officials are not aware of the traditions and habits of the inhabitants and therefore they cannot deal with them. How can they do so when they are not even familiar with the dialect of the people there?
Q: What is your task as a parliament member in providing public services for the government?
A: Our job is to spare not a single effort to end the clashes and disputes between tribes. We are also attempting to provide education and health facilities in the governorate. Unfortunately, the government is exercising an unethical policy against the citizens of Marib and Al-Jawf.
Q: Being one of the main Sheikhs and a parliament member, do you meet with the president and inform him about your needs and problems?
A: Of course, we meet sometimes with the president and officials in the government and inform them about our problems and the ways there are to be solved. However, this has led us to nowhere because there is not an honest will from the government to do anything in this regard.
Q: As Sheikhs, do you try to solve the problem between tribes and does the government help you in this?
A: I frankly say that the government only helps when this would in a way or another serve its interests. However, if there was problem regarding the rights or disputes of the tribes, the government creates other problems, and puts hindrances against any constructive efforts.
Q: Being aware of all aspects of these problem, why do not the sheikhs do something to end it?
A: Many of the Sheikhs are subject to pressures and threats of losing their personal interests. Moreover, there are still some people who are weak and those are used to ignite problems and this as I said is the policy.
Q: Nowadays, we can observe many young men who have managed to survive these problems and come to the capital to pursue their education, but they soon get killed? What is the reason behind this?
A: I would like to say again that officials in the government have taken the share of Al-Jawf’s civilians jobs and scholarships. At the end of the year they send their sons to Al-Jawf so they would get the scholarships. In addition, those who want to pursue their education in the capital either get killed in front of his college or in the capital’s streets. We can take for instance what happened to Bin Al-Kadi who was killed in front of the Medicine Faculty and Bin Al-Aradah and Bin Ka’alan who were murdered in front of the Police Faculty.
The government cannot provide safety for those students even in Sana’a. It is probably because officials do not want people of Marib and Al-Jawf to be educated because they are known to be smart and to always secure the first rank in their colleges and universities. These officials would like to save all government positions for their sons and they fear that if there were educated people from this governorate, they would be forming a potential danger to the government.
Finally, I would like to thank the Yemen Times for publishing the truth always without fear of any party or running after a personal interest.

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