A funding boost for Yemen’s political transition

Yemen will be holding presidential elections in 2014, and the European Commission wants to make sure the country is ready.

The European Commission has set aside €18 million ($22.29 million) for democracy, civil registry, legal reform and decentralization initiatives in the country. It will be used to finance the following activities:

• Technical assistance and training. 

• Procurement of equipment and software to the national civil registry system. 

• Awareness-raising campaigns to encourage citizens to register. 

• Support for relevant government agencies, including the Supreme Commission for Elections and Referenda, Supreme Authority for Vital Statistics and Civil Registration, and Ministry of Legal Affairs. 

Yemen is currently undergoing political transition guided by the Gulf Cooperation Council-negotiated power transfer plan, which was accepted November 2011 by then President Ali Abdullah Saleh. The plan helped address the political crisis in the country. It includes steps such as the dismantling of armed militias, implementation of electoral reforms, review of the constitution, carrying out of a national dialogue and holding full-fledged presidential elections in early 2014.

Members of the international community have been supporting implementation of this plan, as well as addressing humanitarian and development needs in the country. There are, however, persisting concerns over Yemen’s readiness to implement projects and the rampant corruption there.

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