Ali Abdullah Saleh
Ali Abdullah Saleh: A Life of Politics and Controversy
Full Name and Common Aliases
Ali Abdullah Saleh was the full name of this Yemeni politician who held various titles throughout his career, including President of North Yemen (1978-1990), President of a unified Yemen (1990-2012), and General Commander of the Armed Forces. He is also known as Al-Ahmar ("The Red One") due to his red turban.
Birth and Death Dates
Ali Abdullah Saleh was born on March 21, 1942, in Beidha, Yemen (then a British protectorate). He died on December 4, 2017, after being injured in an explosion at the Houthis' gathering where he was attending as a guest.
Nationality and Profession(s)
Saleh was a Yemeni politician who rose through the ranks of the military to become one of the most influential leaders in modern Yemen's history. He served as President of North Yemen from 1978 to 1990 and then became the first President of unified Yemen from 1990 to 2012.
Early Life and Background
Saleh was born into a poor family in Beidha, which is a small village near Taiz, one of the largest cities in southern Yemen. His father was a farmer who struggled to provide for his large family during the tumultuous period that characterized much of 20th-century Yemen. Saleh's early life and education are not well-documented, but it is known that he joined the military at a relatively young age.
Major Accomplishments
Saleh's tenure as President was marked by several significant accomplishments:
Unification: In 1990, Saleh oversaw the unification of North and South Yemen, bringing an end to decades of conflict between the two regions.
Economic Development: During his presidency, Saleh implemented various economic reforms aimed at reducing poverty and improving living standards. These efforts led to significant economic growth and development in Yemen.
International Relations: Saleh played a key role in promoting international cooperation on issues such as terrorism and regional security.Notable Works or Actions
Some of the notable works and actions attributed to Ali Abdullah Saleh include:
Authorizing US Drone Strikes: In 2010, Saleh gave permission for the United States to conduct drone strikes against Al-Qaeda militants in Yemen.
Crackdown on Dissent: Throughout his presidency, Saleh's regime was criticized for its human rights record and suppression of dissent. In response to growing protests, he authorized security forces to crack down on peaceful demonstrators.Impact and Legacy
Saleh's legacy is complex and multifaceted:
Unification: His efforts to unify North and South Yemen helped bring stability to the region.
Economic Growth: Saleh's economic policies contributed significantly to Yemen's growth and development in the 1990s and early 2000s.
Controversy: However, his regime was also marked by widespread human rights abuses and corruption.
Why They Are Widely Quoted or Remembered
Ali Abdullah Saleh is widely quoted or remembered for several reasons:
Influence on Regional Politics: As one of the most influential leaders in modern Yemen's history, Saleh played a significant role in shaping regional politics.
Authoritarian Rule: His authoritarian rule and human rights abuses are topics of ongoing debate among scholars and politicians.
* Impact on US Foreign Policy: Saleh's willingness to collaborate with the United States has had far-reaching implications for US foreign policy in the region.
Quotes by Ali Abdullah Saleh
United States is a great Country and has its effective role on the international arena, so we have to boost our relations with it, in order to achieve peace and stability in our region and the world.
Iraq may get peace and stability through restoring it's sovereignty under participation of all Iraqi factions and sectarian groups, who must rebuild a new democratic, free and independent Iraq.
Democracy in Yemen did not stop, instead it is in a continuous development, there is no other way to follow rather than democracy, it is our national way for building up our country, it was not imposed on us by others.
The situation in the region is flammable and may explode at any moment, because of the crucial events and because of the absence of justice in executing the international legitimacy resolutions, regarding the Israeli Arab cause and the oppression on Palestinians by Israelis.
The opposition may have the right to doubt every thing, but for myself, I call on opposition to practice its role within limits of objectively, responsibility and country interests.
In order every one in our homeland learns principles of democracy and the peaceful transition of power, and in order to stabilize and develop multiple choices in democratic practice.
French Yemeni relations are strong and good, they are relations depending on friendship and cooperation; my relationship with the president Chiraq are old and real.