Saudi Arabia offers condolences on the death of former Yemeni President Abd Rabbuh Mansur Hadi
His Royal Highness Prince Mohammed bin Abdulrahman bin Abdulaziz, Deputy Governor of Riyadh Region, conveyed the condolences and sympathies of the Custodian of the Two Holy Mosques, King Salman bin Abdulaziz Al Saud, and His Royal Highness Prince Mohammed bin Salman bin Abdulaziz Al Saud, Crown Prince and Prime Minister - may God protect them - to the family and relatives of the former Yemeni President, Abd Rabbuh Mansur Hadi, who recently passed away.
During his meeting with the family of the deceased in Riyadh, His Royal Highness the Deputy Governor of the region expressed his deepest condolences and sympathies to them, and to the leadership and brotherly people of Yemen, on this loss. His Royal Highness prayed to Almighty God to grant the deceased His abundant mercy and forgiveness, to admit him to Paradise, and to grant his family and loved ones patience and solace. This kind gesture underscores the deep-rooted fraternal and historical ties that bind the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia and the Republic of Yemen, and the Saudi leadership's commitment to standing by Yemen and its people in all circumstances.
Historical background and political context
The late President Abd Rabbuh Mansur Hadi is a pivotal figure in the history of modern Yemen. Hadi assumed the presidency of Yemen in February 2012 after a presidential election in which he was the sole candidate, under the Gulf Cooperation Council initiative that ended the rule of President Ali Abdullah Saleh, which had lasted for more than three decades, following the popular protests that swept the country in 2011. His rise to power came during a critical transitional period, when it was hoped that he would lead an inclusive national dialogue that would establish a new era of political stability.
Serious challenges and a protracted crisis
President Hadi’s rule faced immense challenges from the outset, including deep political divisions, a deteriorating economy, and security threats from al-Qaeda in the Arabian Peninsula. However, the greatest challenge was the rapid expansion of the Houthi movement, which seized control of the capital, Sana'a, in September 2014, forcing President Hadi and his government to relocate to Aden and then into exile in the Saudi capital, Riyadh. In March 2015, at the request of his legitimate government, Saudi Arabia launched a military coalition to support the legitimate government in Yemen and restore stability to the country.
The importance and impact of the event
The passing of President Hadi marks the end of a significant chapter in the Yemeni crisis. Although he transferred his full presidential powers to the Presidential Leadership Council, headed by Dr. Rashad al-Alimi, in April 2022, he remained a symbol of the international legitimacy upon which regional and international efforts to resolve the conflict were based. The Saudi leadership's offering of condolences at this high level not only reflects appreciation for the deceased and his role, but also represents a renewed message of support for the current Presidential Leadership Council as the legitimate representative of the Yemeni people, and reaffirms the Kingdom's continued commitment to supporting all efforts aimed at achieving security, stability, and peace in Yemen.
