Why Yemen…

Part two in the “Why Yemen” series to give some background to Yemen news – Why Yemen’s Revolution Has Failed So Far

Today calmed my nerves, slightly. The protests were large but peaceful and they ended at midday so everyone could go home and start chewing qat–the famous narcotic leaf. If the situation remains stable, I’ll be able to stay on the course.

Here’s a picture of today’s protest by Majid al Kibsi, who helped me out today.

Dilemma

Although it may seem like I’m trying to write about Yemen in as many countries as I can that aren’t Yemen, I’m not.

New article out today in TIME, written from the UK…

Fearing a Tunisia-style revolt, Yemen’s President told parliament today that he doesn’t intend to rule for life and will step down in 2013. But Yemenis are not buying it—he’s said the same in the past and still seems to be the President.

But maybe not for long. It’s up in the air at the moment. The largest protest so far is expected to take place tomorrow in the capital of Sana’a. Analysts say the situation could deteriorate drastically and put Yemen on Egypt’s tracks.

Normally, I would fly back straight away but I’ve been waiting to see if this will blow over. My dilemma is that the hostile environment course I’m supposed to be attending starts on Sunday. This is my only chance to get decent training for free, paid for by the Rory Peck Trust.

If things get violent, and the Yemeni government starts to wobble, I’m not sure how long I can stay away. However, skipping a hostile environment training to go to a hostile environment would feel incredibly irresponsible.

 

Writing about dusty Yemen in frosty New York

It’s been over a month since I last posted an entry. That means Yemen has been looking after itself, or maybe just lucky.

But now, spurred on by the uprising in Tunisia, Yemen civil society has taken to the streets over the past week and started protesting. It has certainly shaken the government, realising it can’t arrest journalists and human rights activists anymore without reprisal. You can see my story today in TIME here.

Still out of Yemen–I had Christmas in the UK and I’m now in New York, seeing my family and meeting my editors. I spent today eating donuts and bagels, frantically typing and long-distance-calling far off desert lands to try and get descriptions of the demonstrations. All while looking out my bedroom window at the falling snow in Manhattan.

If you want to read more on Yemen protests, check out Laura Kasinof’s article in CSM and Tom Finn’s in the Guardian.

 

 

 

Can Tribalism Help?

This is my last day of a six-month stint in Yemen.

I’m flying back to the UK for a bit, but I’ll be writing occasionally when the inevitable news breaks in Yemen. I’m also attending a 5-day ‘hostile environment course,’ financed by a grant I received from the Rory Peck Trust, an amazing organization that provides training bursaries for freelancers.

The blog won’t be very busy over the next two months, but check in every now and again, as I’ll post sporadic updates.

Separately, after a few months of waiting, my article on tribes is out. Some parts of Yemen are too dangerous for international organizations—and even the government—to operate so tribal leaders have stepped in to distribute aid. Everyone should have a look, as there are fantastic pictures by the audacious Adam Reynolds, who was deported after venturing into tribal badlands to get some of these photos.

Original here.

Photo essay and correspondent’s diary

I’ve written a correspondent’s diary for economist.com on my trip to Haradh, a town in the north where Yemenis fleeing civil war have been living in refugee camps of over a year now.

There is a photo essay, as well.

Click here to view.

 

Will al Qaeda jump on WikiLeaks?

Second article on what kind of reaction the WikiLeaks dump may get in Yemen.

 

Whiskey Smuggling and Tomahawks

Leaked US diplomatic cables reveal two things about Yemen. Firstly, that the US has been bombing the place. Secondly, that Yemeni President joked about booze smuggling.

Read the article in TIME to see why the latter might hurt the President more.

For a three-minute audio version, listen to an interview I did this morning with the BBC World Service.

Finally, below is a picture of some children I met at a refugee camp last week in northern Yemen.