The republic of Yemen 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 (North Yemen) People's Democratic Republic of Yemen (South 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 Yemen Arab Republic ➢ 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 ➢ Ali Abdullah Saleh – 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 .