Yemen Celebrates UN Decision to Lift Sanctions on Former President Ali Abdullah Saleh and Son
Yemen’s internationally recognized Presidential Leadership Council and political parties have welcomed the recent decision by the UN Security Council’s Yemen sanctions committee to lift sanctions against former President Ali Abdullah Saleh and his son, Ahmed. The sanctions were imposed on Saleh and his son a decade ago for obstructing political transition in Yemen and supporting the Houthi rebels. However, Saleh switched sides in 2017 and launched a military uprising against the Houthis, which ended tragically with his death. The Yemeni government had recently requested the UN sanctions committee to waive the sanctions on Saleh and his son, who currently resides in the UAE.
The decision to lift the sanctions has been met with celebration among Yemenis, particularly Saleh’s loyalists. Tareq Mohammed Abdullah Saleh, the former president’s nephew and a member of the Presidential Leadership Council, expressed his gratitude to the council, Saudi Arabia, and the UAE for their efforts in persuading the UN committee to lift the sanctions. He also called on Yemenis to unite and fight against the Houthis.
Other Yemeni government officials and political party leaders have also applauded the UN committee’s decision. Othman Mujalli, a member of the Presidential Leadership Council, contacted Ahmed Saleh to congratulate him and express appreciation to Saudi Arabia and the UAE. Former Vice President Ali Mohsen Al-Ahmer, who supported anti-Saleh rallies in 2011, praised the UN decision in a post on social media. Lt. Gen. Sagheer bin Aziz, chief of staff of the Yemeni army, and Sultan Al-Barakani, the parliamentary speaker, also expressed delight at the move.
While Yemen celebrates the lifting of sanctions on Saleh and his son, the US Treasury Department announced sanctions on two individuals and four firms based in China and Yemen for assisting the Houthi militia in acquiring components for weapons used in attacks on ships. The US has been leading a coalition of marine task forces to protect international shipping lanes from Houthi attacks. In response to these attacks, the US designated the Houthi militia as a terrorist organization, imposed sanctions on individuals and firms aiding the militia, and launched strikes on Houthi targets in Yemen.
The recent UN decision to lift sanctions on Saleh and his son is seen as a positive step toward reconciliation and stability in Yemen. It is hoped that this move will encourage other factions to engage in peaceful dialogue and work towards a political solution to the ongoing conflict. Yemen has been devastated by years of war, with the Houthi rebels controlling large parts of the country and the internationally recognized government struggling to regain control.
The lifting of sanctions on Saleh and his son also highlights the complex nature of alliances and loyalties in Yemen’s political landscape. Saleh, who ruled Yemen for 33 years, was once a key ally of the Houthis before turning against them. His death marked a significant turning point in the conflict, but the repercussions are still being felt today.
As Yemen continues to face numerous challenges, including humanitarian crises and economic instability, the international community must continue to support efforts for peace and stability in the country. The lifting of sanctions on Saleh and his son is a small step in the right direction, but much more needs to be done to bring lasting peace to Yemen and alleviate the suffering of its people.