I recently posted Tribulations but no trials for Yemen's Ali Abdullah Saleh to comment on the draft law which will grant Saleh and all his political associates immunity from prosecution following his exit from power.
Yesterday, as reported by the BBC (Yemen government 'amends Saleh immunity law') there has now been an interesting development.
Previously, an earlier draft of the law clearly stated that Saleh and all his political associates would be immune from prosecution following their exit from power. In this latest development, Saleh remains completely immune whilst his associates could now be called to the dock on corruption charges. For me, this suggests two things. First, the debate surrounding this particular law rumbles on and may continue to do so. Second, the fact that the debate is even taking place is strong evidence that Saleh's influence is weakening by the day, as the country awaits his departure.
Saleh's weakening power is leaving him in an increasingly vulnerable position. According to this latest draft of the law, he is now the only political figure in the country that cannot be tried on corruptoin charges. By exposing his former political associates to such charges he has cut himself off from those formerly loyal to him, thereby making his post-presidential position yet more precarious, particularly if he is unable to find another country to host him for the duration of his retirement.
Watch this space. I somehow think this will not be the only re-drafting of the controversial law. Saleh is clinging on to whatever he can somewhat desperately to protect himself from being thrown to the lions once he quits the presidency. But now, with none of his aides sharing in his post-presidential privileges, he may not even be able to rely on those most loyal to him to protect him from the wrath of his true enemies.
Yesterday, as reported by the BBC (Yemen government 'amends Saleh immunity law') there has now been an interesting development.
Previously, an earlier draft of the law clearly stated that Saleh and all his political associates would be immune from prosecution following their exit from power. In this latest development, Saleh remains completely immune whilst his associates could now be called to the dock on corruption charges. For me, this suggests two things. First, the debate surrounding this particular law rumbles on and may continue to do so. Second, the fact that the debate is even taking place is strong evidence that Saleh's influence is weakening by the day, as the country awaits his departure.
Saleh's weakening power is leaving him in an increasingly vulnerable position. According to this latest draft of the law, he is now the only political figure in the country that cannot be tried on corruptoin charges. By exposing his former political associates to such charges he has cut himself off from those formerly loyal to him, thereby making his post-presidential position yet more precarious, particularly if he is unable to find another country to host him for the duration of his retirement.
Watch this space. I somehow think this will not be the only re-drafting of the controversial law. Saleh is clinging on to whatever he can somewhat desperately to protect himself from being thrown to the lions once he quits the presidency. But now, with none of his aides sharing in his post-presidential privileges, he may not even be able to rely on those most loyal to him to protect him from the wrath of his true enemies.
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