SANA’A: The announcement by 63-year-old Yemeni president Ali Abdullah Saleh that he will not contest elections next year has brought new uncertainty about the future of the country. Yemen, a country of 21 million at the crossroads of Asia, Africa and the Arab world has been led by Saleh since 1990. He was earlier leader of North Yemen, the traditional and tribal part of Yemen since 1978 when he took power in a military coup. North Yemen and the Marxist-led South Yemen merged in 1990. United Yemen survived a breakaway bid by southern leaders in 1994.

Saleh announced he would not stand for elections at a meeting with party leaders who came to congratulate him on the 27th anniversary of his assuming power on July 17, 1978. “I hope that all political parties find young leaders to compete in the elections because we have to train ourselves in the practice of peaceful succession,” he told them.

Saleh’s seven-year term ends in September next year, but constitutionally he can seek office for another term. He won the last election with a 96 per cent majority. Several opposition members called it a rigged vote. But the announcement from Saleh may not mean the last of him. Several leaders in the ruling People’s General Congress (PGC) have said he should not quit the party or its leadership. They say the party first needs to restore credibility. It is widely blamed for financial failures and administrative corruption.

But other leaders see new hope. “Strong competition will encourage the PGC to present young rivals who can then take us towards more reforms,” PGC leader Yasser al-Awadhi said.

Reforms can be a controversial idea. Two days after Saleh made his announcement, the government lifted subsidies on fuel that brought price hikes and protests in which several demonstrators were killed. It is not clear what alternatives are at hand.

The opposition Islah party that had earlier resigned itself to more of Saleh is ready to present a strong challenge, says its leader Mohammad Qahtan. “The right democratic course is to object to nominating again a person who has ruled for 28 years,” he said.

“The government should confess to its failure,” politicalanalyst Mohammad al-Sabritold IPS. —Dawn/Inter-Press Service