The republic of

Al-Jumhuriya al- Yemenia

Basic Facts

Capital: Sana'a Population: ca. 25 Million Borders: Saudi-Arabia and Omam Language: Arabic President: Abdrabbo Mansour Hadi Head of Governement: Mohammed Salem Basindawa

Religious Groups

● Sunnis

● Shiites (Zaidiyyah)

● Jews

● Baha'i

● Christians

● Hindus

History

Yemen Arab Republic ()

People's Democratic Republic of Yemen ()

North Yemen

➢ In 1905 the British Empire and the Ottoman Empire draw a border between their protectorates

➢ After World War I and the breakdown of the Ottoman Empire, North Yemen became an independent Kingdom under Imam Yahya in 1918

➢ After his murderer in 1948 his son Imam Ahmad became the new leader

➢ 26.09.1962 he died and a group of nationalistic, sunni officers (leader: Abdallah as-Sallal) overthrew the zadidiyyah monarchy and proclaimed the

➢ A civil war between the royals and the republicans followed

which ended in 1970 South Yemen

➢ 30.11.1967: The „Southarabian Federation“ and the protectorate of the South Yemen (both british) gained independence and became the People's Democratic Republic of Yemen

➢ Socialist Party ruled the country

➢ 1986: Two weeks civil war and overthrown head of the governement (Ali Nasir Muhammad al-Hassani)

➢ His followers were able to proclaim Haidar Abu Bakr al-Attas as the new leader and he remained in this position till the unification.

The Unification

➢ 22.01.1990: The ministers of both republics opend the borders

➢ 22.05.1990: The unified Republic of Yemen is pronunced

➢ – President of the Yemen Arab Republic since 1978 – became the first President of the reunited Yemen

➢ 27.04.1993: First free elections; 3 big parties 1) General People's Congress (GPC) 2) Yemen Socialist Party (YSP) 3) Islah Party

➢ Coalition of GPC and Islah

➢ 1994 civil war weakend the socialists → GPC could rule without islah

➢ Saleh remained president → 2001 presidentship was extended to 7 years Problems before the Arab Spring

● Yemen was always characterised by tribes – Use of kidnapping to make demands to the governement

● Huthi-Conflict – 2004-2010 (ceasefire)

● Al-Qaid'a

● Pirates

The Arab Spring in Yemen

Protest

➢ Starting 27.01.2011

➢ Demanding the resignment of Saleh

➢ Being president for over 30 years

➢ Corruption

➢ Underemployment

➢ Economic conditions

➢ Clashes between protesters and the military forces

➢ Not statisfied with the solution of Saleh's resignment

Government today

Parliament: 301 Seats - elected 27. April 2003

Speaker: Yahya Ali Al-Raee (GPC)

Issues after the Arab Spring

➢ Elections were set for February 2014

➢ Postponed and Basindawa will stay President

➢ Immunity of Saleh

➢ Ongoing Huthi-Conflict and uprising of the south