As Saudi-led coalition troops prepare to free Yemen’s capital, Sanaa, from Houthi rebel control, executive members of the internationally recognised government have returned to Aden. Prime minister Khaled Bahah, along with the ministers for the interior, transport, planning, local councils and immigration, are back at work. President Abdrabu Mansur Hadi remains in Saudi Arabia but plans are in progress for his return to Yemen.
While stability is slowly returning to the pockets of Yemen that have been liberated by coalition troops, it doesn’t mean the country has returned to normal. As coalition troops continue to solidify their foothold in Marib province ahead of a push on the capital, much of Yemen remains firmly in a state of war. That is why the return of the ministers is both heroic and important for Yemen’s future.
In no small measure, the ministers are demonstrating their resolve to govern Yemen by putting themselves in a conflict zone. They are not, of course, doing this without support because they understand the degree to which they can count on the GCC’s backing for Yemen’s transition from civil war back to stability.
There is much work to be done in terms of healing Yemen’s fragile infrastructure and fractured societal fault lines. Yemen was facing dire infrastructure problems when it comes to water, food supply and health services even before the Houthi-led violence. This parlous state has been exacerbated by the war and will continue until the war is over. As such, ministers are returning to Aden at this moment to “observe the situation directly”, according to immigration minister Alawi Bafaqeeh.
Once the fighting is over, the government will face a long list of projects needed to rebuild the country. One of the top priorities is for the creation of long-term jobs in sustainable industries. The geographic advantage of the ports of Hodeidah and Aden show the potential.
While the problems might seem daunting, their solutions have a different complexion than they did before this conflict. Yemen has far greater GCC support for its process of rebuilding. The Saudi-led coalition has demonstrated its commitment to restore Yemen’s stability. While the path to that stability might now seem rocky, the work of rebuilding the country and its economy will begin. The country will be in good hands when this happens.
