Yemenite unification

Yemeni unification took place on May 22, 1990, when the areas of the People's Democratic Republic of Yemen were united with the Yemen Arab Republic, forming the Republic of Yemen.

Background

Unlike East and West Germany or North and South Korea, the two Yemens were relatively friendly, though relations were often strained. Also unlike the Korean and German states, the two Yemen states were not formed by a civil war or occupation. North Yemen became a state after the collapse of the Ottoman Empire, whereas South Yemen became a state after the United Kingdom withdrew from its former colony. In 1972 it was declared that unification would eventually occur. However, these plans were put on hold in 1979, and war was only prevented by an Arab League intervention. The goal of unity was reaffirmed by the northern and southern heads of state during a summit meeting in Kuwait in March 1979. Unfortunately, arguments over who would be the dominant power in any unification caused negotiations to break down. Left-wing rebels in North Yemen then began to receive extensive funding and arms from South Yemen.

In May 1988, the two governments came to an understanding that considerably reduced tensions, including agreements to renew discussions concerning unification, to establish a joint oil exploration area along their undefined border, to demilitarize the border, and to allow Yemenis unrestricted border passage on the sole basis of a national identification card. In November 1989 Ali Abdullah Saleh of North Yemen and Ali Salim al-Baidh of South Yemen jointly accepted a draft unity constitution originally drawn up in 1981.

Unification

The Republic of Yemen was declared on 22 May 1990. Ali Abdullah Saleh of the north became Head of State, and Ali Salim al-Baidh became Head of Government. A 30-month transitional period for completing the unification of the two political and economic systems was set. A presidential council was jointly elected by the 26-member Yemen Arab Republic advisory council and the 17-member People's Democratic Republic of Yemen presidium. The presidential council appointed a Prime Minister, who formed a Cabinet. There was also a 301-seat provisional unified parliament, consisting of 159 members from the north, 111 members from the south, and 31 independent members appointed by the chairman of the council.

A unity constitution was agreed upon in May 1990 and ratified by the populace in May 1991. It affirmed Yemen's commitment to free elections, a multiparty political system, the right to own private property, equality under the law, and respect of basic human rights. Parliamentary elections were held on 27 April 1993. International groups assisted in the organization of the elections and observed actual balloting. The resulting Parliament included 143 General People's Congress, 69 Yemeni Socialist Party, 63 Islaah (Yemeni grouping for reform, a party composed of various tribal and religious groups), 6 Ba'athis, 3 Nasserite Unionist People's Organisation, 2 Al Haq, and 15 independents. The head of Islaah, Paramount Hashid Sheik Abdallah Bin Husayn Al-Ahmar, became the speaker of Parliament. Islaah was invited into the ruling coalition, and the presidential council was altered to include one Islaah member.

Civil war

Conflicts within the coalition resulted in the self-imposed exile of Vice President Ali Salim Al-Beidh to Aden beginning in August 1993 and a deterioration in the general security situation as political rivals settled scores and tribal elements took advantage of the unsettled situation. Haydar Abu Bakr Al-Attas, the former Southern Prime Minister continued to serve as the Yemen's Prime Minister, but his government was ineffective due to political infighting. Continuous negotiations between northern and southern leaders resulted in the signing of the document of pledge and accord in Amman, Jordan on February 20 1994. Despite this, clashes intensified until civil war broke out in early May 1994.

Southern leaders declared secession and the establishment of the Democratic Republic of Yemen (DRY) on 21 May 1994, but the new state was not recognized by the international community. Ali Nasir Muhammad supporters greatly assisted military operations against the secessionists and Aden was captured on 7 July, 1994. Other resistance quickly collapsed and thousands of southern leaders and military went into exile.

In the aftermath of the civil war, Yemeni Socialist Party leaders within Yemen reorganized the party and elected a new politburo in July 1994. However, the party remained disheartened and without its former influence. Islaah held a party convention in September 1994. The General People's Congress did the same in June 1995.

In 1994, amendments to the unity constitution eliminated the presidential council. President Ali Abdallah Salih was elected by Parliament on 1 October 1994 to a 5-year term. The constitution provided that henceforth the President is to be elected by popular vote from at least two candidates selected by the legislature.

Aftermath

Yemen held its first direct presidential elections in September 1999, electing President Ali Abdallah Salih to a 5-year term in what were generally considered free and fair elections. Yemen held its second multiparty parliamentary elections in April 1997. Constitutional amendments adopted in the summer of 2000 extended the presidential term by 2 years, thus moving the next presidential elections to 2006. The amendments also extended the parliamentary term of office to a 6-year term, thus moving elections for these seats to 2003. On 20 February 2001, a new constitutional amendment created a bicameral legislature consisting of a Shura Council (111 seats; members appointed by the president) and a House of Representatives (301 seats; members elected by popular vote). Yemen is now a one party dominant state with the General People's Congress in power.

Integration

* The North Yemeni rial and the South Yemeni dinar remained legal tender during a transitionary period. In 1991, the dinar was withdrawn from circulation, with 26 dinar exchanged for one rial. In 1993, the first coins were issued for the Republic of Yemen called Yemeni rials.
* The Capital of the Republic of Yemen is North's old capital, Sana'a
* The South's United Republic became the country's national anthem
* September 26 and October 14 are both celebrated as Revolution Day, with the former celebrating the North's revolution against the Imams and the latter celebrating the South's revolution against the British Empire.
* November 30 is celebrated as Independence Day, as it is the day the South gained independence from the British, as opposed to November 1, which was celebrated in the north as Independence Day from the Ottoman Empire
* The Republic of Yemen kept the North's United Nations name, Yemen, as opposed to the South's Democratic Yemen
* The Republic of Yemen accepts responsibility for all treaties and debts of its predecessors
* The Republic of Yemen kept the South's system of Governorates (Muhafazah), and split the North's liwa (provinces) into smaller governates, leaving the current Governorates of Yemen,
* The Republic of Yemen uses the North's calling code, +967, as opposed to the South's +969