The turmoil in Tunisia and Egypt has generated echoes in Yemen. Protests in Sana'a and Aden have called for the end of the rule of President Ali Abdullah Saleh, in power since 1978. He has offered to move on in 2013 (no hurry, then!). But the issue in Aden is more complicated than: 'Tunisia, Egypt and now Yemen.' Aden is an ancient port and has been ruled over time by the Portuguese, the Ottomans and the British. There was contact between Aden and the Chinese Ming dynasty as early as 1421, long before western European ships rounded the Cape of Good Hope. Under the British it was for a while part of India! The British pulled out in 1967 and Aden became the capital of the People's Democratic Republic of Yemen. Then in 1990 north and south Yemen were unified with Sana'a the capital. Some of the dissatisfaction in Aden is linked to its historical independence and a desire for secession. The QSL is from the Peoples Democratic Republic in Aden heard in Johannesburg in 1986 on AM. It's one of my best.
Saturday 12 February 2011
Yesmen no more in Aden
The turmoil in Tunisia and Egypt has generated echoes in Yemen. Protests in Sana'a and Aden have called for the end of the rule of President Ali Abdullah Saleh, in power since 1978. He has offered to move on in 2013 (no hurry, then!). But the issue in Aden is more complicated than: 'Tunisia, Egypt and now Yemen.' Aden is an ancient port and has been ruled over time by the Portuguese, the Ottomans and the British. There was contact between Aden and the Chinese Ming dynasty as early as 1421, long before western European ships rounded the Cape of Good Hope. Under the British it was for a while part of India! The British pulled out in 1967 and Aden became the capital of the People's Democratic Republic of Yemen. Then in 1990 north and south Yemen were unified with Sana'a the capital. Some of the dissatisfaction in Aden is linked to its historical independence and a desire for secession. The QSL is from the Peoples Democratic Republic in Aden heard in Johannesburg in 1986 on AM. It's one of my best.
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