Yemenis protest in support of Central Bank decisions

Thousands of Yemenis have been rallying in cities controlled by the internationally recognized government over the past few days, chanting in favor of recent decisions by the Central Bank in Aden amid regional and international pressure to halt them.

Today, in the coastal city of Al-Mokha, Taiz Governorate, a mass march took place with participants carrying banners confirming their support for the decisions of the Central Bank and warning against ceasing them under any circumstances.

It is the fourth protest of its kind in under a week.

Yesterday, a huge public march took place in Taiz, the largest city in the country in terms of population, during which participants raised pictures of the Governor of the Central Bank, Ahmed Al-Maqbi.

The participants chanted slogans condemning a recent letter from the UN Envoy to Yemen, Hans Grundberg, to Yemen's Presidential Leadership Council (PLC), which demanded a reversal of the Central Bank’s measures.

Another protest took place yesterday in the city of Al-Khawkhah, in the coastal governorate of Hodeidah. On Saturday, the city of Marib witnessed a protest where participants stated that halting the Central Bank's decisions would be a "suicide maneuver for the Yemeni government." 

Last Friday, the PLC held an emergency meeting to discuss a letter sent by the UN Envoy calling for postponement of the Central Bank's decisions to transfer the headquarters and operations of commercial and microfinance banks from Sanaa to Aden. 

Grundberg’s letter warned that the Central Bank's decisions could escalate tensions, potentially even militarily, and urged for dialogue on the economic issues under UN auspices. 

A high-ranking government source told South24 Center on Friday that the PLC agreed to halt the implementation of all Central Bank decisions against the Houthis. While the PLC did not officially comment on this information, government officials and local media confirmed it.

It is believed that Saudi Arabia is pressuring the Yemeni government to cease the recent economic measures against the Houthis, to prevent the collapse of its bilateral plan with the group and the resurgence of war.

Top Houthi leader, Abdulmalik Al-Houthi, had already threatened a few days ago to strike vital targets in Saudi Arabia, citing an “eye for an eye”, warning “a bank for a bank, a port for a port, and an airport for an airport.”

The Houthis accuse Saudi Arabia of influencing the Yemeni government's actions at the behest of the United States, to weaken their military position in the Red Sea and limit their attacks on ships.

Today, PLC Chairman Rashad Al-Alimi met with US Ambassador to Yemen, Steven Fagin.

#BREAKING

PLC Chairman Rashad Al-Alimi discussed in #Riyadh with the US Ambassador economic and administrative reforms and international support for the political process in #Yemen #south24 pic.twitter.com/j1pNR4vGjy

— South24 | English (@South24E) July 16, 2024

Saba Agency reported that Al-Alimi emphasized the need for the donor community to fulfill its pledges to the humanitarian response plan through the Central Bank of Yemen, and to expedite the transfer of international organizations and their local partners’ headquarters to the capital, Aden.