Barran Press
In a letter addressed to the President of the Presidential Leadership Council, Rashad Al-Alimi, and the Prime Minister, Ahmed bin Mubarak, 25 members of the Yemeni Shura Council have firmly rejected any agreement that would affect the Aden port.
The members, in a memorandum dated June 20, 2024, expressed their strong opposition and "categorical refusal" to sign any agreement with the Abu Dhabi Ports Group concerning the Aden port "under any pretext or justification." They consider the Aden port to be a "crucial pillar of our national economy and our country's sovereignty."
The memorandum, obtained by Barran Press, highlighted the historical significance of the Aden port, stating that it has always been a target of interest for nations, large and small, due to its strategic location. They emphasized that the port was once considered the second or third-largest port globally.
The members demanded an unambiguous statement from the Presidential Leadership Council and the Cabinet, halting any actions or agreements that would impact the Aden port and the nation's sovereignty. They held them responsible before God and the Yemeni people for any actions, secret or public, that would affect the Aden port or any other aspect of national sovereignty.
The signatories of the memorandum include: Sheikh Hassan Abkar, Dr. Fouad bin Sheikh, Sheikh Maqbel Lakrish Ba'awdah, Sheikh Hadi Ahmed Hadi Hij, Major General Ahmed Mohammed Qahtaan, Professor Wahid Rashid, Shaker Al-Hattar, Salah Batis, Dr. Mohammed Saleh Qura'ah, Sheikh Abdullah Al-Oubthani, Sheikh Abdulkarim Saleh Mohammed Al-Omari, Sheikh Al-Basha Atiyah, Engineer Abdullah Mohsen Al-Akou'a, Sheikh Mahdi Mahdi Jaber Al-Haafith.
Additionally, the memorandum was signed by: Dr. Fadl Ali Abu Ghanem, Sheikh Mabkhout Aboud Al-Sharif, Sheikh Ali Abdulrab Al-Awadhi, Judge Ali Awad Nasser, Sheikh Hassan Maqbool Al-Ahedl, Judge Murshed Ali Al-Arshani, Dr. Mohammed Ahmed Afandi, Sheikh Salem bin Mohammed Al-Khori Al-Alahi, Sheikh Al-Aji Ahmed Al-Talibi, Sheikh Abdullah Mohammed Hussein Darane, and Sheikh Ali Hussein Al-Bahri.
On June 17, Yemeni parliamentarian Ali Ashal published a leaked official document revealing the intention of the member of the Presidential Leadership Council and President of the Southern Transitional Council, Aidarous Al-Zubaidi, to lease the Aden port to the Abu Dhabi Ports Group.
According to the document, Al-Zubaidi stated that a ministerial committee was on the verge of finalizing the agreement with the Abu Dhabi Ports Group. He instructed the Prime Minister to "only review the accounts approved by the legal accountant and approved by the company's board of directors." This instruction was considered "final."
Deputy Ali Ashal warned of an impending "disaster," citing previous "catastrophic" deals that cost the state treasury over $150 million. He added, "A new disaster looms on the horizon due to the divisions we are experiencing and the prevailing corruption."
The Aden port holds strategic importance, particularly after the establishment of the free zone in 1993. Its geographical location, directly on the main trade route from the Middle East to Europe and America, makes it a significant hub. It also offers transit services to East Africa, the Red Sea, the Indian subcontinent, and the Persian Gulf.
In 2008, the Yemeni government signed an agreement with Dubai Ports World, granting the company exclusive management rights for two container ports in Aden for 30 years.
In 2012, the Yemeni government, led by former Prime Minister Mohammed Salem Basindwa, canceled the agreement, citing Dubai Ports World's disruption of the port.
In 2013, the Basindwa government signed an agreement with China for a project to develop and operate the port, which is the first of its kind in Yemen and one of the most important ports globally.