With the historical presidential elections only days away, President Saleh is still hoping the ball of luck turns in his favor. His goal now: work on canceling the February 21 presidential elections.
Vice President Abdurabu Hadi insists on coming to power through the ballot boxes as it will give him more legitimacy domestically and internationally.
Saleh’s plan: that Hadi be chosen president through a vote from parliament and Shoura Council.
The trick to all of this, Hadi will in reality lack the power of a real president as he never really got the vote of the people, and Saleh would still be the last elected president of Yemen, even if he leaves office.
Let’s not forget that the majority in parliament is still controlled by Saleh’s ruling party, and they have the ability to keep Saleh in power by rejecting Hadi’s bid for presidency in a parliament vote.
These options were brought up by the ruling family to senior aides, though they know that the international community will reject any derail in power transfer and sanction will hit Saleh and his aides.
Though Yemen’s one man election makes no sense, only it can ensure that Saleh’s era in power comes to an end. President Saleh has realized that it’s game over when it comes to him, however, he will take his chances seeking to keep his family in control of Yemen, even if it means doing so indirectly, at least until they reorganize their cards.
Controlling Yemen does not necessarily mean being president, but rather controlling the military and security forces, and this is what Saleh’s family currenly has and will die for.
Just three years ago, President Saleh was talking about his family’s future and turning their rule into a family kingdom like other neighbors in the region.
The ruling family was not shy to say that they seek to build the “Al Saleh Kingdom.”
I might sound crazy, but who said that the law prevails in Yemen.
Everything is possible in a country that lacks basic institutional infrastructure, and Yemen tops that list.
Let’s wait and see where Yemen’s train for change will be heading.