Student Opinion – Demonstrations in the Middle East: Yemen’s Got Talent
Recent youth revolutions have created an unprecedented phenomenon in the Arab world. Who would have thought that throngs of young, irate Arabs would discover a powerful mechanism that rattles the toughest leaders? For the first time in our history, we are witnessing Arab dictators’ humbleness. While the case of Libya is an exception, almost all Arab rulers are pledging an array of concessions and reforms. Will that work for all countries, or will the wave of discontent continue to flush out stubborn leaders? One would assume that if peoples’ needs are met, then it is in their interest to shift positions and accept the reforms. However, the streets of countries like Yemen are still boiling and the revolutionaries are continuing their momentum. Layered onto the chaos are a number of political actors who have become skilled dancers, of a sort. They are shifting and gyrating, trying to win the dance competition. The Yemeni youth revolution has been hijacked by politicians with some very fancy moves.
President Ali Saleh is overwhelmed by a host of challenges. Even before the revolutions ignited, he was facing a number of structural and societal problems. Yemen is unique: It is tribal, the poorest and the most armed Arab country. Dwindling resources and an unforgiving security situation put Yemen on the international community’s “bad list.” Saleh previously expressed how difficult it is to rule Yemen: “Ruling Yemen is like dancing on snakes’ heads.” Saleh’s grip on the situation is compromised by many of his former dance partners. Some of his strongest political and military allies have shifted positions to take advantage of the opportunity presented by the protests. The most shocking among these is General Ali Mohsen, a prominent commander, fellow tribesman, and friend of the president. Gregory Johnsen, a Yemen specialist at Princeton, said that Saleh is dancing his last dance. What he didn’t mention is that other dancers are impatiently waiting for their turn to perform.
Who will be the next on the dance floor, and who will be able to rule Yemen while avoiding the snakebites? The best dancer is yet to be determined, but I’m confident that whatever the dances, they will be performed to the same old rhythm and beats. Changing the president of Yemen will not necessarily translate into the changes that the revolutionaries expect. Saleh’s dance might be over, but the other performers are staying, and so will the corruption, disorder, and qat. My condolences to the Yemeni youth: Your revolution has been infiltrated by political performers. Be wary of applauding those dancers shimmying onto the bandwagon. We have seen their moves before and it’s time for a new boogie. Snakes are all over Yemen, be careful.