Yemeni Opposition Fears Saleh Won’t Resign

According to reports, opposition leaders and officials close to the president said they remain unconvinced that former president Saleh is serious about leaving power, fearing he will try to use the country’s continued unrest to keep his seat. He agreed to resign more than six weeks ago, but “Yemeni state media still speak of him as leader of the nation, and his allies frequently hinder the work of a new unity government sworn in by his vice president.” He also announced that he no longer intends to seek medical care in the United States, and a leader in Saleh’s party said Saleh had decided to remain in Yemen in response to concerns that his departure could be bad for Yemen and the ruling party. Jeffrey Fleishman and Zaid al-Alayaa write that Saleh “still holds an uncanny sway over the country… [and] he has been maneuvering for his son and nephews to retain control of Yemen’s military and security agencies.”

Meanwhile, Navi Pillay, the UN High Commissioner for Human Rights, issued a statement calling on Yemeni decision-makers to respect the prohibition under international law against amnesties for the worst human rights violations. “Amnesties are not permissible if they prevent the prosecution of individuals who may be criminally responsible for international crimes, including war crimes, crimes against humanity, genocide and gross violations of human rights,” Pillay said.

Additionally, Yemen’s Shiite Houthi rebels have formed a political group seeking a role in the new government, according to party organizer Mohammed Miftah. Finally, tens of thousands Yemen citizens demonstrated in 18 cities across the country chanting for the freedom of political detainees taken during recent unrest.