Stability lost [Archives:2008/1213/Opinion]

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December 4 2008

By: Abdulwasea Al-Nakhlani
Like other Yemenis, I have been thinking for years that our country is about to enjoy good internal stability after our government overcame all the traces of external threats by enhancing security at the border with neighboring countries, specifically Saudi Arabia, the border dossier of which proved to be the most difficult ever faced by Yemeni government.

Afterward, we expected the bilateral relations may become more healthier, according to statements made by former Yemeni Prime Minister Abdulqader Bajammal, who added the quality of partnership to the brotherly relations between both bordering states.

Scores related with mutual commercial interests, economy and investment would have been functioning as the new nature for the bilateral relations following border demarcation and stability boost in our homeland. This also encouraged the Yemeni government to sign more security agreements with other neighboring countries and the United States of America in a serious attempt to eradicate terrorism.

By signing multiple security agreements, the government wants to help the country avoid any direct confrontations with Al-Qaeda Network or other terrorist groups, as well as abort any malicious attempt to foment internal conflicts in Yemen, thus hindering the nation's economic development and the state's efforts to consolidate factors of stability, calmness, social peace and democratic progress. During the time period that saw Yemen's being serious to enhance security and stability, I felt that the country is about to witness a serious development phase, and that our government would spare some of its time to address any pressing issues countrywide without any trouble or fears of regional or foreign threats. The entire world has been expecting the Yemeni government to prepare its nation for a distinctive step and plan for producing development pillars and carrying out comprehensive reforms.

In addition, Yemen was expected to work on expanding the scope of the democratic process and involvement in decision making, plus fighting corruption and reducing influence of some powerful individuals. It was also expected to move toward the era of globalization, investment and stability.

Other states around the world see Yemen as having an important strategic location, which if exploited well, will boost international trade. Yemen's strategic significance also arose from its long coastline through which more than 25 percent of global oil exports passes. This significance requires that all Yemenis pay great attention to situations in their homeland and work harder in order to help it avoid sliding into the tunnels of terrorism and internal conflicts.

Yemenis resume same ambition

Having seen that their government is serious to avoid internal conflicts and enhance security, Yemeni citizens turned to expect that their country is bound to enjoy law and order, effective institutions, sustainable development and homeland protection against fragmentation and collapse.

Those hopes and ambitions vanished suddenly when the government made unexpected declarations relating with confrontations and clashes between the army and Houthi rebels in the northern Sa'ada province and nearby areas. This war aborted all the possibilities of establishing good stability nationwide. The situation became worse with the escalation of protests by military retirees in southern and eastern governorates.

Corruption and embezzlement of public funds were the last factors that helped tragedies in Yemen continue worsening and threatened the Arab state of unprecedented collapse as a result of rebellions, civil wars, fragmentation and apparent state's failure to administer the country's affairs. We turned out to be dreaming once again of the birth of a new stability overnight after we already felt good stability on the ground.

Source: Raynews.net
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