Yemen: Tensions between Saleh and Hadi

Tensions between President Abd-Rabbu Mansour Hadi and his predecessor Ali Abdullah Saleh arguably reached an all-time high in mid-June. On 11 June, Hadi ordered presidential guard troops to raid the offices and studios of Al-Yemen Al-Youm television, which is part-owned by the Saleh family. CCTV footage shows soldiers searching the building; media outlets close to Saleh – who is still sitting president of the General People’s Congress (GPC) – said Hadi had ordered the station’s temporary closure in his capacity as secretary-general of the GPC. GPC deputy secretary-general Sultan Al-Barakani was quoted as saying Hadi, with the cabinet’s approval, also subsequently temporarily shut down Al-Yemen Al-Youm newspaper.It is not clear why the media were closed, but the motivation appears to be political. The GPC has a 49% stake in Al-Yemen Al-Youm media, which includes a radio station. The rest is owned by Ahmed Ali Abdullah Saleh and his cousin Yahya Mohammed Saleh. If Hadi’s decision was linked to an internal party matter – as many suspect – the use of government troops is highly controversial.