By Catherine shakdam
The most impoverished nation in the Arabian Peninsula, Yemen has suffered many hardships and many humiliations by the hands of its leadership, its people having been forced to live in abject poverty while the elite revelled in opulence.
Formerly a brilliant nation, a nation where riches have always abounded, Yemen has witnessed a sharp decline over the decades, not only socially but also politically, economically and institutionally.
Starved, pillaged, betrayed and corrupted, Yemen bears little resemblance to its glorious past, one which still echoes in the memory of old, one which still could be reborn, if only deceit and lies did not stand in the way.
While 1962 was meant to free the people of Yemen from autocracy and pave the way to a more equalitarian society, where all would answer to the rule of law within the margin of Islamic tradition, Yemen saw in the fall of its king the inception of a dictatorial republic, a police state which axis was forged in nepotism and corruption. What should have been the birth of a new hope only carried the bitter taste of destitution.
As Yemen high and mighty divided up the nation as one would do a bounty, sharing in its immense wealth for their own selfish benefits, Yemenis were left to wither under what can only be described as institutionalized banditry, robbed of a future they were promised would be brilliant.
If 2011 Islamic Revolution failed to materialize Yemen’s yearning for change due to political manipulations and foreign engineering, 2014 has seen the rise of the most unlikely power, one which message of hope and dignity has once again reignited Yemen’s fire, one which has captured the imaginations of millions and allow an entire nation to feel inspired. From the deepest and farthest corner of Yemen Highlands descended the Houthis, a Zaidi faction organized under the leadership of Abdel-Malek Al Houthi.
In his early thirties, Al Houthi has already proven wiser than most veteran politicians. An astute strategist and a fervent nationalist, Al Houthi has established himself as a respected and trusted figure; somewhat of a rarity in Yemen since state dignitaries have proven more often than not to be professional crooks and liars.
A man of his words and a man of the people, Abdel-Malek Al Houthi has not just the bearings of a politician, but rather that of a leader of men, one which not only aspires to raise his countrymen above their station but one which also knows how to inspire beyond all politics and religious paradigms.
While his detractors have been keen to brand Al Houthi a liar and an opportunist, arguing that he is but a puppet of Iran, thus playing into Saudi Arabia’ sectarian narrative and Washington’s political playbook to tarnish his reputation, such words have proven to carry no substance at all before the changes he already implemented.
From the onset Abdel-Malek Al Houthi has promised Yemenis three things: that corruption would end, that the state would return to the people and that foreign intervention would be terminated. On all accounts he has already delivered. May be not in full of course, Yemen remains in many way a failed state, but the wheels of change have been set in motion and following decades in thick darkness, Yemenis can eventually discern in the distance their very own silver lining.
However hard dignitaries have attempted to demonize and vilify the Houthis, depicting the faction as a rebel militia animated of a fierce hatred for democratic values; thugs to be feared and abhorred, the Houthis have acted but a barrier to oppression, having effectively put a stop to state corruption and widespread abuse.
In less than a month, the Houthis have succeeded where President Abdo Rabbo Mansour Hadi miserably failed – they forced Yemen’s most crooked and wicked tyrants, Al Islah - Sunni radical faction – out of power.
Under the watchful eye of the Houthis, Sana’a, the capital has breathed a sigh of relief. Looters and miscreants have been stopped, order has been restored, citizens are slowly re-discovering the meaning of the word justice and officials have been forced to stand accountable of their actions.
As Yemen’s corrupted elite is running for the hills, the Houthis are closing in on state abuses, funds embezzlement and land misappropriations. Those who were wronged by Yemen’s most powerful, among whom Gen Ali Mohsen Al Ahmar, Sheikh Hamid Al Ahmar have taken solace in seeing the latters’ properties seized and their assets frozen as inventories are being drawn and illegal activities assessed.
For the first time in over three decades Yemenis have caught themselves dreaming that justice is more than just a fancy theory, more than a figment of their imagination.
Dubbed the liberators of Yemen, the Houthis have essentially given Yemenis the gift of political freedom. Not just the victors of a political battle against Yemen’s Islamists or even the corrupts, the Houthis have given Yemen the space it needs for its people to forge a new future, one which will reflect their common vision.
When Abdel-Malek Al Houthi could have imposed himself as Yemen’s new commander, when his men could have deposed the coalition government and crumbled the remnants of 2012 GCC-sponsored transition of power, Al Houthi instead chose to step above politics. In the words of one of his most senior spokesman, Ali Al Bogheti, “Why rule when one can inspires?”
And indeed, Al Houthi has proven to be an inspiration for Yemen, a vessel and a platform for others to draw strength from and lean on.
At a time when unity is so direly needed, at a time when Yemen is faced with the most critical threat of its time – radicalism, politicians could learn a thing or two from a man who willingly put the well-being of his people before his ambitions.
With the Houthis at the helm, political knots are untying, old feuds are losing their bite and rancour has evaporated. In a dramatic political U-turn, Al Harak – the Southern Secessionist Movement – has confirmed it is willing to negotiate an accord with Sana’a, now that a new order has been established.
Following months of instability and growing insecurity, such political and social breakthroughs should stand a testimony to the Houthis’ good faith.
There is no telling how far Yemen will go if its people are given the chance to fly.
There’s a beautiful symmetry to the Houthis, since it is those who suffered the most oppression by the hand of a tyrannical rule have managed to break free from their shackles and liberate a nation which stood interrupted for over five decades.
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