Escalating tensions between the Houthis and the General People's Congress in Sana'a: Causes and repercussions
The Yemeni capital, Sana'a, is witnessing a state of political tension and escalating conflict between the Houthi movement (Ansar Allah) and the faction of the General People's Congress party present in the areas under their control, in a further indication of the fragility of the alliance that has existed between the two sides for years. These tensions are part of a long series of disputes that surface periodically, reflecting the deep divergence in visions and objectives between the two supposed partners in power in Sana'a.
Roots of the dispute and historical context
The current tension cannot be understood in isolation from the bloody history that has characterized the relationship between the two sides, particularly since the events of December 2017, which culminated in the assassination of former President Ali Abdullah Saleh, founder of the General People's Congress party, by his Houthi allies. Since then, the party's Sana'a branch has been subjected to systematic marginalization, with the group seeking to diminish its political and administrative influence, reducing it to a mere political facade to legitimize its authority, without granting it any real power in managing state institutions.
Reasons for the current escalation
Field and political data indicate that the renewed tensions stem from the Houthis' persistent attempts to impose radical changes on educational curricula and the state's cultural identity. This has provoked the ire of the General People's Congress's rank and file and leadership, who view it as an erasure of the republican system's identity and the principles of the September 26 Revolution. Furthermore, complaints are mounting regarding the exclusion of Congress members from government positions and their replacement with individuals ideologically loyal to the group, as well as the restrictions imposed on the party's activities and events.
Potential local and regional repercussions
This escalation carries serious implications for the Yemeni landscape. Domestically, continued pressure on the General People's Congress faction could lead to further divisions or even the complete collapse of this nominal alliance, potentially prompting some leaders to flee or withdraw, thus weakening the internal front in Houthi-controlled areas. Regionally and internationally, the UN envoy and international actors are closely monitoring these developments, as the Houthis' complete monopoly on power and exclusion of their partners could complicate the path to a comprehensive political settlement and reinforce concerns about the difficulty of reaching consensus solutions under the dominance of a single party that rejects genuine partnership.
In conclusion, the situation in Sana'a remains open to all possibilities, as observers believe that the General People's Congress party faces an existential challenge in maintaining what remains of its entity within the areas of influence of the group, while the latter seeks to consolidate its individual rule, disregarding any considerations of national partnership.
