Barran Press
Yemen's internationally recognized Transport Minister, Abdulslam Humaid, explained the rationale behind his ministry's recent decision to mandate Yemenia Airlines to transfer its revenue to the Central Bank in Aden, the country's temporary capital, or to the company's accounts abroad.
During a meeting with Anthony Biswell, the economic advisor to the UN envoy for Yemen, in Aden on Monday, June 10, Humaid emphasized that the decision was "regulatory and technical," according to the official Yemeni news agency Saba.
He stated that the decision "implements a presidential decree to relocate all ministries, government agencies, and institutions to the temporary capital, Aden, to protect them from the control and seizure of assets by the Houthi group, internationally designated as a terrorist organization."
The meeting also addressed the obstacles imposed by the Houthis, including their separation of the country's monetary policy and refusal to accept the local currency printed by the Central Bank of Yemen in Aden. The Houthis also froze Yemenia Airlines' accounts in March 2023, holding over $100 million.
Regarding the frozen accounts, Humaid affirmed that his ministry had exerted significant efforts to enable Yemenia Airlines to access these funds, enhancing its operational expenses, expanding its fleet, and safeguarding its assets. He emphasized the company's national status and its service to all Yemenis.
Humaid urged the UN envoy and the international community to support these decisions and the legitimate government's efforts, recognizing it as the official and legal entity responsible for managing the country's affairs.
The meeting also highlighted the targeting of ships on international shipping routes, leading to increased shipping fees, as well as the risk of marine pollution and environmental damage caused by the sinking of the "Rubimar" vessel.
The minister stated that these events "have plunged the country into a cycle of economic crises, leading to a complex economic situation, forcing Saudi Arabia and the UAE to support the state's budget deficit to fulfill its obligations to the people."
The UN envoy's economic advisor confirmed the UN's commitment and the international envoy's support for all possible efforts to leverage economic opportunities to improve the lives of the Yemeni people and achieve stability and peace in Yemen.
On June 5 and last Wednesday, the Ministry of Transport directed Yemenia Airlines to transfer past and future revenue to the company's bank accounts in Aden or to its accounts abroad.
In a statement published on its official website, the ministry cited the reasons for transferring Yemenia Airlines' revenue as "to prevent the Houthi group, internationally designated as a terrorist organization, from controlling it and to enable the company to finance its operations, develop, and modernize its fleet, especially after the seizure of its accounts in Sana'a banks, exceeding $100 million."