Yemen political parties start dialogue over reforms

By Nasser Arrabyee/07/08/2010
The Yemeni political parties started Saturday their first meeting for national dialogue over political and electoral reforms before the coming parliamentary elections scheduled on April 2011.

They chose a president and vice president from both sides for the 200-members joint committee for the national dialogue. Abdu Rabu Mansour Hadi, and Abdul Kareem Al Eryani were chosen the president and vice president of the joint committee from the ruling party. Mohammed Salem Basendwa, and Abdul Wahab Al Ansi were chosen the president and vice president of the joint committee from the opposition parties.

The parties also formed a smaller committee made up of 30 members with 15 members from the ruling People’s General Congress (PGC) and its allies, and 15 from the opposition Joint Meeting Parties (JMPs) and their allies.

The national dialogue aims at finding solutions for the challenges facing the Yemen mainly the separation sentiments in the south, the armed rebellion in the north, Al Qaeda insurgency in between, and economic deterioration.

The result of this dialogue should be, “A comprehensive political reform which leads to a democratic, institutional, un-centralized, system based on separation between the powers , rule of law, respect of human rights, and peaceful transfer of power,” Said Aidarous Al Nakeeb who spoke on behalf the JMPs in today’s meeting.

“It’s very much possible to reach the results that will satisfy all, as long as that is in the interest of the home land and its achievements,” said Abdu Rabu Mansour Hadi, who spoke on behalf of the ruling party.

On February 2009, these parties agreed to postpone the parliamentary elections from April 2009 to April 2011, to make political and electoral reforms that guarantee free and fair elections.