Resilience in Time of Revolution: Saleh’s instruments of survival in Yemen (2011-2015)

• Main Author: Fernando Carvajal
• Format: Article
• Language: English
• Published: Centre Français d’Archéologie et de Sciences Sociales de Sanaa 2015-10-01
• Series: Arabian Humanities
• Subjects: Yemen; Ṣāliḥ (‘Alī ‘Abd Allāh); Arab Spring; revolution; survival; al-Islāh
• Online Access: http://journals.openedition.org/cy/2870

This article aims to engage in discussion on the phenomenon that is the political survival of autocrats in the Arab Middle East. The focus here is not the resilience of a ruling autocrat, but rather that of a deposed dictator and his survival in a post-Arab Spring environment. By looking at the political survival of Yemen’s long-time strongman, this case examines the methods utilized by a modern autocrat to guarantee his survival beyond his term as ruler. ‘Alī ‘Abd Allāh Ṣāliḥ’s persistence provides a new area of study for observers of Arab politics. His continued relevance and his 33 years as president to the balance of power in Yemen has preserved legacy structures and rules for the exercise of power. Ṣāliḥ’s renewed near-monopoly on mobilization is shown to be rooted in traditional and modern instruments of survival such as media networks, the use of violence by proxy and a return to political alliances of convenience. A summary of events from late 2014 will illustrate how Ṣāliḥ’s resilience manifested in direct challenges to the political transition, and his resurgence as a major center of power.