Dr Shamlan Al Essa
A Yemeni government spokesman has revealed his government’s intention to apply for membership of the Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC). The problem is that the Yemeni leadership has the mistaken belief that joining the GCC will bring security, stability and prosperity to the country.
Good wishes and sincere aspirations aside, the question is will this idea be accepted? There is no need to examine whether Yemen is ready to move from chaos, civil war, tribal conflicts and sectarianism to stability.
The question we would like to put to those who want Yemen to join the GCC is: Are the political, economic and social conditions conducive to such a bond?
In a country where the central authority is not respected by all sections of the Yemeni people, how can anyone demand that Yemen join the Council when there is no political or economic stability? Security and stability need to be ensured in all Yemeni regions before we can discuss such a proposal.
The second question is: To ensure security and stability, are the political and tribal elites, political movements and other parties willing to abandon their loyalties to tribe, sect and region in order to fuse in the crucible of citizenship to unify the Yemeni people?
I don’t want to be accused of being against Yemen joining the GCC, but I think there are some practical steps that must be taken before such a move. These are:
First, there should be a national dialogue involving all sections of Yemeni society, under neutral international supervision, to resolve Yemen’s outstanding issues, taking into consideration the fact that Yemeni society is steeped in tribalism and sectarianism.
This dialogue should focus on defining an appropriate political system that best fits Yemen and its people. This system should gradually reduce tribal and sectarian influences to supplant, in the mind of the Yemeni citizen, narrow loyalties with the idea of citizenship.
Second, there is a need for an elected parliament consisting of two assemblies. The People’s Assembly should be directly elected by the people, and the Supreme Council Assembly should be made up of Yemeni elites such as judges, lawyers, doctors and scientists.
It should also have as members the heads of tribes and sects, as well as representatives of the Jewish, Christian and other minorities in Yemen. The task of the Supreme Council is to monitor the performance of the House of Representatives so that it doesn’t turn into a tool of manipulation for religious parties, tribes or sects.
Third, after the war ends, Yemen will need a project to support it economically so that the people’s lives improve. Education, health, electricity and water supply and other services should be improved.
More industries and agricultural projects need to be established to create job opportunities for Yemeni youth.
Finally, the Gulf and Arab world should start and intensive, civilized dialogue on how to save Yemen from recurring crises. The Yemeni people are good folks who deserve to live better, and it is the right of their innocent children to look forward to a better future.
The author is a researcher and political analyst
