Sadiq al Ahmar As Parliamentary Speaker

According to Naba News, Islah has been pressuring President Saleh to nominate the eldest Ahmar brother, Sadiq al Ahmar, for his father’s former position as Speaker of the Parliament. The move makes sense given that Sadiq is now the leader of the Hashid tribe, which makes him the most powerful sheikh in Yemen…at least in name. If this news is true, it’s indicative of a couple of things. First, Islah will continue to be dominated by the Ahmar family. Second, the party is moving to solidify its tribal element – the words of Sadiq’s brother, Hamid, a few weeks ago, echo the party’s attempts to appeal to their tribal base as well.

Akhdam in Germany

Sad. He may enjoy immunity, but why anonymity?

Yemeni diplomat kept Indonesian as slave: German ministry

BERLIN (AFP) – A Yemeni diplomat stationed in Berlin treated his Indonesian maid like a domestic slave, the German foreign ministry said on Friday, confirming media reports.

The 30-year-old woman told a German newspaper she was forced to be on call 24 hours a day was beaten by her employer if she failed to work quickly enough.

Rice Snubbs Yemen Over al Badawi

So Yemen has decided not to host the conference on Bush’s Mid-East Initiative, “Forum for the Future.” Their official reason involves some sort of technicality with timing. Seriously though, they must think we are all a bunch of hameer – Yemen would jump at the opportunity to host this thing…at any time. All you have to do is look how proud they were to be hosting a delegation of congressional staffers. 

The question is, is this really State punishing Yemen for policies that run counter to the global war on terror, or is it something more? Is this simply a shot across the bow, like withholding the millennium challenge funds?  I am not 100 percent convinced that anger over al Badawi, or even generic “security concerns” are the only reason for Rice’s refusal to attend. Franky, recent and recurrent stirrings over the al Moayyad case, Guantanamo and the Palestinian issue make a visit by the Secretary politically unwise at this time, if ever. I’m not trying to deny that an actual physical threat to Rice may exist (although I probably don’t think it is as high as many), only that other factors may very well be at play – such as the broad dislike of the American government among Yemenis, and Yemen’s inability or unwillingness curb the expression of it. Public demonstrations won’t hurt the regime, in fact they may strengthen it, by presenting the regime to the U.S. as an American ally in the face of public opinion to the contrary. It also generates sympathy for the regime’s political concessions such as the jihadist catch-and-release program.

Given Yemen’s strategy of playing both sides, Rice in Yemen will most likely never happen…it would be too much like the mistress coming to a family dinner.  

CLARIFICATION: US Congressional STAFFERS Meet With Yemeni Ministers

Yemeni-American reporter Munir Mawari has been doing some home work and he discovered that the “American Congressional Delegation” visit that has been publicized in Yemen lately is actually only congressional staffers:

“This is misleading story and media scandal. I checked with the Congress and have been informed that none of the US Congress members visiting Yemen. The delegation consists of 13 staff members from those who work for the congress. The Yemeni government is misleading its own people to show that US legislators are supporting Yemini Democracy.”

Good job Munir! 

UPDATE On Terror Suspects in Belgian Shooting

Well, more like a confirmation. Mukalla Today says the suspects were apprehended on the basis of reports from locals, and confirms that a number of them where caught on the road to Shabwa. The report ends by citing sources that said the “taqfiri terrorists” were from “outside the governorate” (of Hadhramout).

Congress Meets Yemen Education Minister: “Appreciates” “Pracitical Steps”

“Practical steps” – like stepping stools for the kids forced to learn by peering through schoolhouse windows? – overcrowding is a big problem. 

Education minister meets US congress delegation

[21 January 2008]

SANA’A, Jan. 21 (Saba)- Minister of Education Abdul-Salam al-Jawfi met on Monday with a delegation from the US Congress and reviewed with it strategies and programs in fields of basic and secondary education as well as efforts being exerted to improve input and output of educational activities.

Islah HQ in Sa’dah Raided

Security forces raid Islah’s headquarters in Saada  

21/01/2008

January 21, 2008 – Security forces raided Sunday the headquarters of the Yemeni Congregation of Reform party (Islah ) in Saada , arrested 10 members and put them in jail without any justifications.

The Usual Suspects: Yemen Says It Has Individuals Linked to Belgian Shooting

Yemen is saying they have some suspects in the Belgian shooting. There were reports that they rounded up a number of people just after the event occurred, but there was no word that they actually had someone who knew anything. The article from Hadhramout Press says that Yemeni authorities announce the capture of four suspects from “takfiri” extremist groups which it called “a clear reference to al Qaeda.” The government has a history of blaming things on al Qaeda when they think it suits them – which should be kept in mind.

Propaganda on US Congressional visit to Yemen

Al-Arhabi acquaints US congress delegation on reforms in Yemen

[20 January 2008]

SANA’A, Jan. 20 ( Saba)- Minister of Planning and International Cooperation Abdul-Karim al-Arhabi met on Sunday with the American Congress delegation whom he showed nature of economic and political reforms Yemen has carried out in the framework of National Reforms Agenda,indicating Yemen’s keenness on making use US parliamentarian experiences.

Transcript of Hamid al Ahmar Interview with Dubai TV

Unfortunately only in Arabic. Available at: