The primaryreasons why the Yemeni opposition is ineffective [Archives:2008/1209/Opinion]
By: Dr. Nassser Mohammed Nasser
Criticism by itself doesn't mean hostility, prejudice or discrimination against the individual or party being targeted by criticism. Instead, it means anatomy and diagnosis with the aim of identifying weaknesses and limitations in order to rectify and overcome them as such may help improve status of the targeted party.
This is the message of criticism and critics, which we need to understand and deal with in this context. Undoubtedly, if opposition exists in any country, it inarguably reflects a healthy phenomenon, plus clear evidence of community development and progress toward breaking the state of stagnancy and monotony.
In addition, having an opposition alliance is pondered upon as a forward step on the democratic course, however, presence of such an alliance doesn't necessarily imply effectiveness. In Yemen, the opposition exists but it lacks effectiveness. So, what are the reasons why this opposition is ineffective? The following points give an answer to this question:
One: There are some opposition figures who exercise politics and trade activities at the same time. Therefore, growth of their broad commercial interests has become correlated with survival of the current regime via suspicious deals, tax waiving and provision of other facilities. These figures turned to give a top priority to their commercial interests.
Two: Some opposition figures are involved in cases of terrorism, murder and embezzlement of funds they collected under the guise of charitable services. Consequently, those figures have become merely helpless cards at the hand of the regime, thereby possessing no will to do something for politics.
Friendly opposition
Three: Some opposition figures get small benefits from the regime such as luxurious cars and other gifts. They benefit from the regime, on the one hand, and on the other, they enjoy good economic conditions, and therefore needn't sacrifice them. Those figures want a friendly opposition, which they can run by amicable concessions, not from jails and detentions.
Four: Opposition figures and civil society activists understand well how huge cruelty and barbarism they must confront will be if their opposition constitutes a serious threat to the regime. They also understand that there are famous leaders, who lost their lives as a result of cruelty and barbarism. Those leaders include Jarallah Omar, former Assistant Secretary-General of Yemeni Socialist Party (YSP), Hassan Al-Huraibi, Majid Murshid and tens of active opposition leaders, who were assassinated or killed in maliciously plotted incidents.
Five: Grassroots and fans supporting the opposition are ineffective too. These people don't interact nor do they back any parties raising their demands and concerns before the regime. As a result, movements of party leaders and civil society activists turn out to be individual adventures without any relation with citizens (grassroots and opposition fans), who behave as helpless viewers of what happens between the government and opposition activists.
In conclusion, had the west, after being defeated by Muslims in the reign of Islamic Caliphate, remained machinating collapse of Muslims and glorifying the great achievements reached by the once exalted Romanian State and conquests of its great men, the whole world would have remained experiencing darkness of the medieval ages. The west did not do so. It began promoting self-criticism until it changed itself and the entire world.
Source: Al-Wasat Weekly
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