Yemen Monitor / Newsroom:
The leadership of the Yemeni House of Representatives and the heads of parliamentary blocs held a joint meeting to discuss developments in the country’s economic and administrative situation. They described the situation as a “terrible deterioration” stemming from structural imbalances and widespread corruption, amidst a lack of government cooperation and the rebellion of some local entities against state authorities.
The meeting discussed a report submitted by the parliamentary committee tasked with fact-finding in Hadramout, Al-Mahra, and Socotra. The report revealed a serious assault on the committee while it was performing its duties in Al-Mukalla.
According to the report, groups affiliated with the Southern Transitional Council (STC), which is a partner in the government and the Presidential Leadership Council, prevented the committee from carrying out its work and threatened to storm the hotel where its members were staying. This forced the members to leave, with complete disregard from local authorities who failed to respond to their calls for protection.
The House of Representatives held the local authority in Hadramout fully responsible for the incident, considering it a “clear assault on the constitution and state institutions.” They emphasized that what happened does not reflect the ethics and values of the people of Hadramout but rather perpetuates chaos and undermines the foundations of the state.
Following the incident, the House decided to suspend the work of the fact-finding committee that was scheduled to go to Aden and Taiz. Meanwhile, the Marib-Shabwa-Abyan committee continues its work, with praise for the cooperation of local authorities in Marib and their respect for the constitution and law.
The meeting accused the appointed Prime Minister, Salem Bin Brik, of failing to issue directives to ministries and bodies to cooperate with parliamentary committees, despite his commitment to do so. It was revealed that official correspondence had not been sent but remained with an employee.
The MPs described this action as “deliberate misleading and a lack of credibility,” warning that the government “operates without vision or program and is letting the country slide towards institutional chaos that threatens a comprehensive economic and financial collapse.”
The meeting reiterated its call for the parliament to convene in the interim capital, Aden, considering it a crucial step to support the efforts of the Presidential Leadership Council and to exercise oversight over state institutions.
It also called for accountability for all who obstructed the work of the oversight committees and stressed the necessity for the government to submit its program, general budget, and final accounts to parliament for transparent discussion.
The parliamentary leadership and blocs affirmed that the House of Representatives will continue its constitutional duties until new elections are held, emphasizing that it is “the only existing legislative and oversight authority.” They pointed out that the constitution grants it the power to continue under exigent circumstances.
The attendees strongly criticized some entities they said had “turned into umbrellas for corruption” and obstructed parliamentary work, while violations grew rampant and resources were plundered away from the public treasury.
The MPs warned of the expanding circle of chaos and corruption due to irresponsible actions by influential parties that impose illegal levies and manage state institutions according to their whims. They called for urgent intervention from the Presidential Leadership Council to rescue the situation and activate state institutions to perform their duties, stressing that “fighting corruption is a collective responsibility that cannot be postponed.”
The attendees expressed their gratitude to the Audit and Accountability Bureau and the entities that cooperated with the House committees. They issued directives to prepare comprehensive reports based on the collected documents and information, in preparation for decisive oversight and legislative steps.
The leadership of the House of Representatives affirmed its continued efforts to hold regular sessions of the House in the interim capital, Aden, and enable it to perform its duties, emphasizing that there can be no true reform without an effective legislative authority that monitors and holds accountable, in the face of a national crisis that requires responsible decisions that cannot tolerate equivocation or procrastination.
