The Security Sector in Yemen
No State, No Problem?
This Peace Brief is based on the author’s three-week research mission to Yemen in January 2013. Holger Albrecht is assistant professor of political science at the American University in Cairo and Jennings Randolph senior fellow (2012-2013). His main research focus is on political opposition in the authoritarian regimes, transition to democracy, and civil-military relations in the Middle East and North Africa.
Summary
- A new survey by the Yemen Polling Center reveals that the state’s security establishment remains ineffective in cities and largely absent in rural areas.
- Yemenis do not equate the presence of the state’s security establishment with greater personal security, indicating a high degree of popular trust in traditional, tribal security arrangements.
- Yet, many Yemenis also understand the limits of the tribal system, advocating for a more substantial role of the state as a security provider.
- Security sector reforms throughout 2012 have been limited to President Abd Rabbuh Mansur Hadi’s recruitment of new leadership personnel.
About This Brief
This Peace Brief is based on the author’s three-week research mission to Yemen in January 2013. Holger Albrecht is assistant professor of political science at the American University in Cairo and Jennings Randolph senior fellow (2012-2013). His main research focus is on political opposition in the authoritarian regimes, transition to democracy, and civil-military relations in the Middle East and North Africa.
