Shake-up is key to a successful Yemen transition

Surgical moves such as a series of military and political changes offer renewed hope that a transition in Yemen might work after all.

Yemeni president Abdrabu Mansur Hadi, the man tasked with steering the country towards democracy, dropped a bombshell on Wednesday when he removed Ahmed Abdullah Saleh, the son of the ousted leader Ali Abdullah Saleh, from his post as the commander of the Republican Guard. The younger Mr Saleh was named Yemen's ambassador to the UAE.

The move is key to the transition that began about a year ago, partly because the Republican Guard was a symbol of the old regime's oppressive apparatus, and was not under the authority of the president.

Equally important, Gen Ali Mohsen Al Ahmar, another pillar of the old regime and one of Mr Hadi's potential rivals, was appointed security and defence adviser to the president. His First Armoured Division was abolished. While Mr Al Ahmar and Ahmed Saleh are the most prominent names, the president's shake-up includes other high-ranking officers, over four dozen in all.

These changes are part of an accord brokered by the Gulf states to enable a smooth transition in exchange for immunity from prosecution for Mr Saleh and his family. The deal has since faced a set of challenges, including the refusal of some officials to comply, and the fact that the "political opposition" is not truly representative. The youth movement and the southern movement that seeks secession, in particular, have accused the Hadi administration of sidelining them.

Because of these challenges, the transitional plan has been precarious, with some arguing that it was merely delaying violence rather than avoiding it. But such surgical moves offer renewed hope that a transition in Yemen might work after all.

For now, the deal appears to have mollified military powers. But Yemen is yet to reach the goals it set out to achieve, including a new constitution and legislative and presidential elections by early 2014. That work remains, and power plays could still embroil the nation in conflict.

Nonetheless, Mr Hadi would seem a man in control of his nation's fate. His appointments were symbolic, coming as the country's National Dialogue kicks off. Recognising the importance of stability and inclusivity, the president has been to the south and met with southern leaders ahead of talks.

For the transition to go as planned, it is important that the Gulf states and the United States, who all have a stake in Yemen's stability, must continue to ensure all sides comply. Political support and financial aid for Yemen will be essential in the months ahead.

Although Mr Hadi is making the right moves, he cannot do it on his own.