CV of the Ambassador of Yemen H.E. Mohammad Motahar Alashabi
H.E. Mohammad Motahar Alashabi is a carrier diplomat, and also adherent to Journalism as a chief editor of diplomat magazine of Yemen Foreign ministry, and a Lecturer, currently serving as a Ambassador of Yemen to Pakistan, also concurrently accredit to Kazakhstan and Maldives. Did M.Com (Mombay University) and MA in International Relations ( Preston University- Kohat, Pakistan).
Previous Posts:
Charge d’ Affairs, Yemen Embassy at kualalumpur- Malaysia, since 1st July 2013
Head of Asia and Australia, Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Yemen (MOFA), Nov. 2009-June 2013
Promoted to the rank of Ambassadorship in October 2009.
Director of Personnel Department, MOFA Yemen, August 2008 – October 2009.
Minister Plenipotentiary/Deputy Head of Mission, Yemen Embassy, Islamabad- Pakistan, Aug. 2004- July 2008.
Director of Dy. Foreign Minister’s Office, July 2001-July 2004.
First Secretary then Counselor,, Yemen Embassy, Tehran- Iran , April 1997-June 2001.
Desk Officer, Foreign Minister’s Office, 1993-1997.
Second then First Secretary, Yemen Embassy Canberra- Australia, October 1990- May 1993.
Director of Dy Foreign Minister Office , May 1989- Sept. 1990.
Attache’ then Vice Consul, Yemen Consulate, Bombay- India, Aug. 1985- April 1989.
Desk Officer, MOFA- Sana’a, April 1982- July 1984.
Interview
Erol: Excellency let us know your Experience in Pakistan
Ambassador: First of All I would like to welcome you at the Yemen Embassy. Pakistan is a brotherly and great country. There are similarities among Pakistan and Yemen in different aspects and faces. Pakistani people are friendly, cordial, generous, hospitable, passionate and easy to go with. Personally, I feel like at home. In fact, I welcomed my nomination to Pakistan when I had been informed by the government.
Erol: Excellency what is the biggest threat to Yemen?
Ambassador: The biggest threat to Yemen is the current conflict with the Houthi Militias who wage the war against the Yemeni People and their will that was expressed in the National Comprehensive Dialog (NCD) and against the legitimate elected President Hadi and Government and also against the GCC Initiative which tries to save Yemen and brokered Peace in Yemen in 2011, and challenging to the UNSC resolutions, particularly 2216.
Erol: Excellency Yemen has rich culture, civilization, heritage and history, how the cultural activities and heritage exchange could be enhanced between Yemen and Pakistan
Ambassador: We are brotherly countries and culture and Islamic heritage are among many commonalities between them, and there are indeed no barriers to improve the cultural ties. We are happy to see people to people visits and contacts and promote them as a part of the embassy’s tasks, despite the current situation in the Yemen.
Education wise, hundreds of Yemenis graduated from Pakistan and become its ambassador in their home. Currently, we have around 300 Yemeni under graduate and post graduate students in Pakistan, at least 140 of them gratefully under Cultural Exchange Program. There are 4 Pakistani schools in Yemen. There were Lots of Pakistanis who accomplished great jobs in Yemen, Doctors, Engineers, Bankers. Previously, there were two Pakistani banks in Yemen ( UBL and HBL), HBL branch still in Sana’a.
Erol: Excellency what is the volume of bilateral trade between Yemen and Pakistan, and how we can improve the bilateral trade relations between the two countries?
Ambassador: Our bilateral trade reached in 2010 aprox.200 million US Dollar in favor of Pakistan but it declined in the recent years. Yemen is an open market. Foreign companies and goods and services have to compete in qualities and prices, and we hope that Pakistan in coming years will have a strong presence in Yemen and the regional market. No doubt, promoting the bilateral trade will strengthen and advance the bilateral relations.
Erol: Excellency, 27 year ago was signed the agreement of merger and implementation of the unification between north Yemen (Yemen Arab republic 1962 – 1990 ) and the south Yemen ( People’s democratic Republic of Yemen 1967 – 1990), since then, the country was united, but there is a civil war going on in it even today, is there a hope for peace?
Ambassador: Unfortunately we are witnessing disability and threats from more than an angle. Due to the said agreement and unity declaration, the Republic of Yemen was established on 22nd of May 1990. Unity Agreement approved by the then two Parliaments, in the North and South Yemen. The new constitution had been ratified in a referendum and adopted in 1991. Regrettably, due to many reasons among of them lack of good governance and bad administration, problems started and mostly the country witnessed gradual tenses and unrest situation prevailed. The major setback was in 1994 where the war broke out between Yemenis.
The secessionist attempt failed to gain support from the people in the South. The same administration, Ex-president Saleh, continued his rule , with more grip of power, ruling while Yemen was descending economically and politically and security. In Feb. 2011 , peaceful demonstrations broke out in Sana’a and the major cities , starting with economic demands and escalated with demands of his removal. The situation in entire Yemen was worsen and GCC countries tried to mediate and introduce the so called ” GCC Initiative” which also proposed peaceful transfer of power from Saleh to the elected president and holding a Comprehensive National dialogue that also will find a solution to the Southern problem and Saadah in the North – North.
Nothing wrong with the unity rather than with the ruling elite and the way of running the system and the country. President Saleh gave very marginal sharing of Power and the very little wealth. That led to negative consequences; rising unemployment especially among youth and enlarging poverty gap and encouraged insurgencies in the North – North like Houthis and in the South, separatist movement, besides creating an environment for terrorists elements; e.t. Al-Qaeda.
In February 2012, transferring of power from Saleh to the current elected President H.E. Abdraboh Mansoor Hadi took place and the NDC convened for more than 10 months where it ended with a finalized document called NDC outcomes and a draft of a new constitution was drafted.
All segments of the society were represented including Houthis who were a party in that national dialogue while they were building their armed Militias creating artificial problems one after another and advancing towards the Capital, seizing military installations.
The whole picture had changed when Houthis’ Militias coelited with the Ex-president Saleh and made the Coup in September 2014 against the state sovereign institutions and completed their Coup against the President the consensus national Government seizing the power by force in January 2015 and continued advancing towards Aden.
President Hadi regained his legitimate power after moving to Aden, announcing Aden as a temporary capital of Yemen and call on Houthis and Ex-president for a dialogue to finalize the draft of the new constitution for referendum, and to stop the war they ignite, but they refused.
President Hadi, after exhausting all ways to avoid war, used his right; upon Yemen constitution and international law, to restore the sovereignty of the state and asked Arab countries for military assistance to end this insurgency. Houthis – Saleh forces who had been pushed back and around 80% of the land have been liberalized from them. Saleh was killed by Houthis in Dec. 2017.
President Hadi did what it is possible to stabilize the situation in southern governorates and please the separatists elements and emphasizing on the his proposed federation system as a solution for Yemen in general. Gradually many of those elements calm down, and others were been assigned public duties but many approved unqualified and had been removed.
Demand for separation of the South has lost its grounds due changing in the circumstances. One of them is that the current elite that are ruling the country are mostly from the South; the President, PM, Foreign Minister, Home Minister, so main high posts are occupied by personalities from the South. If there are voices and militias rising separatists slogans and opposing and creating problems to the legitimate government in Aden, they are working in a proxy business to destabilize Yemen and the region.
Erol: Excellency Pakistani Parliament has passed a resolution declaring neutrality in the conflict between the two brotherly countries, in your opinion how Pakistan can play positive role in this conflict
Ambassador: First of all, we do respect the Pakistani decision, and thankful to the present official stand towards the legitimate Yemeni leadership and government, but we wish Pakistan may come up with more firm stand against the Houthis insurgency.
Also, we do appreciate solidarity and sympathy shown by Pakistani people towards their Yemeni brothers and pray to Allah that no other Muslim country face what we have faced so far. On this regards, international media do not cover and show how Houthis Militias terrifying, agonizing, suppressing and humiliating the Yemenis. This media has its own agendas and taking from them give a deceived information and knowledge.
Erol: Excellency could you kindly brief us regarding the conflict between Yemen and Saudi Arabia
Ambassador: Saudi Arabia and Yemen have no conflict, Yemeni legitimate leadership had requested the Saudi led Arab coalition forces to assist us it in restoring the capital, state institutions, regain control over the insurgent areas captured by the Houthi Militias, and demilitarize these militias.
Erol: Excellency Yemen is the country with ancient history, and rich cultural heritage, but there are four sites in the UNESCO world heritage list, are at risk, at the end of last year, Ms. Irina Bokova, Director- general of UNESCO expressed concerns over the devastation caused by the airstrike upon historic buildings in the old city of Sana, tell us about it and its current condition.
Ambassador: As you have mentioned, Yemen is a very rich country culturally. That’s why the government is not willing to regain the very populated Sana’a Capital and other such cities through force Sana’a has architectural unique model and historic buildings, so some areas where the insurgency is present have some historical sites and any fighting takes place carries destruction. Nevertheless, despite this cautiousness, many buildings have been destroyed due to using them as military sites by Houthi Militias.
Erol: Is there a sense of frustration from Yemen with the international community and the way they has dealt in Yemen
Ambassador: If international community does shows strong stand towards Houthis, the war may continue and endanger the international maritime navigation especially trade and energy sources. Since Yemen is situated and overlooks Red Sea, Strait of Bab el Mandab, Golf of Aden and Arab Sea. It should pressurize Houthis through their supporter to accept UNSC 2216 as a “Road Map” towards permanent sustainable peace. This resolution emphasizes on political solution through negotiation dialogue with reference of GCC initiative and the outcomes of NDC.
Erol: You have many monuments from the pre Islamic period as well, the throne of the queen of sheeba, the city of Aden, known since the time of ancient Greece, please let the Pakistani people know, what you think when would be the best time for the tourist to discover such valuable heritage
Ambassador: As you mentioned, Yemen history is rich and “Quraan Alkarim” tills some of these histories. Therefore, Yemen has so many historic and ancient places and used to be visited by tourists particularly from Europe before 2010. Our brotherly friends from Pakistan are welcome to visit them, but at the present the situation is not very conducive.
Erol: Yemen is famous all around the world as a homeland of Arabian Coffee, what is your production and export today, and does Yemen is exporting this to Pakistan
Ambassador: Yemen happened to be one of the best producer and exporter of best coffee, which was known as “Mocca Coffee” but unfortunately, by passing of time this production decreased so its export. Many reasons behind this phenomena, like low rainfall, plantation of other awful plant that is “ Qat” as an easy cash croup which is being consumed vey widely at home. Qat plant needs little water and services comparable to Coffee plant. Another main reason is labor force migration to the oily GCC countries especially during the Oil Boom in the 1970s. Third reason was absence of national strategy to preserve, develop and market Coffee. The Forth reason was the cheap imported and well backed coffee. Therefore, we lost our golden brand ” Mocca” coffee.
Erol: Excellency what food you like the most and which one from Pakistan
Ambassador: There are varieties of delicious dishes Pakistani cuisine have, and are been liked internationally like Beriani, mixed Vegetables, etc. In Yemen, we have different cuisine and famous dishes like shafoot, Harish, , Mandi ( Rice & Meat), Saltaha, Bent Assahn. Beriani becomes a part of Yemeni cuisine in Yemen as well.
Erol: What is Pakistan’s image in Yemen, and what is your suggestion to improve the soft image of Pakistan?
Ambassador: Pakistan is a very important and big Islamic, a nuclear power country and holds very geopolitical location and position, with new strategic projects like CEPC and Gwader Sea Port within Global initiative “One Belt One Road”. Continuation of democracy process in Pakistan and succeeding in countering and containing terrorism and bringing stability are another sings of the soft image of Pakistan. On this occasion, I would like to congratulate Pakistani people and its institutions who conducted these elections in a well-organized and smooth manner.
Pakistan can also promote and build good image through marketing its “brand ” for many goods and services which has a competitive and comparative advantage on them. The best promoter for any country and building image is its ability to sell its Brand abroad.
The same reasons and factors could be applied for Yemen. Stability, democracy, good governance, tolerance and coexistence, producing more goods and services and selling their brand abroad will build Yemen’s image.
Erol: How can we start different projects on education, health, clean water, sanitation and sustainable cities?
Ambassador: There were many projects Pakistani companies started working in, in Yemen like exploring and producing oil in some fields in Yemen but stopped their since 2013, schooling , opportunities in constructions and communications and banking.
Yemen a virgin country but it has a lot of potentials. Stability to Yemen will come sooner by God’s will, and Pakistani firms will have chances to compete and do business in Yemen. In fact, we are neighbors, we share overlooking on the Arabic See and Indian Ocean. This close geography brings more opportunities for the two countries.
Erol: There have been concerns that Yemen could become next Afghanistan?
Ambassador: As it is known that every country has its own circumstances and factors which stabilize and de-stabilize it. Yemen is not Afghanistan and Afghanistan is not Yemen. We have full respect for our brothers Afghani people and government and we sympathize with them, praying for their peace and stability. They suffer the way we are suffering, but the circumstances and the elements which create threats and challenges to Yemen are different from those in Afghanistan. We have strong hope that peace will come and prevail in Yemen and Afghanistan sooner than later. Yemeni people and Afghani people do not deserve what they face. We have optimism to end the conflict in Yemen by God’s will this year.
Erol: Excellency could you characterized the bilateral relations between Pakistan and Yemen?
Ambassador: Well, the two countries have very cordial relations at the official and people to people level. We exchange reciprocal support internationally due to the common issues challenging us and bonds we enjoy. There are no real bilateral barriers prevent promoting these relations except internal stability and un ability to produce in a large scale and compete in the open market.
Erol: Excellency in the last any message for the people of Pakistan.
Ambassador: We pray to Almighty to bring peace and stability for Yemen and every Muslim country and for humanity in general, and to grace Pakistan with prosperity and more progress. I do strongly believe that Pakistan will emerge and become different country after ten years. I share optimism of the Pakistani people in the bright future of Pakistan.
Another issue, is that there is a fogy picture or misunderstanding to the reality of the war in Yemen. There is no conflict between Yemen and neighboring countries; mainly Saudi Arabia. The legitimate President H.E. Hadi, after exhausting all ways to avoid war, used his right; upon Yemen constitution and international law, to restore the sovereignty of the state and its institutions and the Capital and surrounding areas from the insurgent Houthi Militias who broke in to the Capital Sana’a in September 2014 and completed seizing the power by force in January 2015, challenging Yemeni people’s will and the international community as well as neighboring countries.
Militias and outlaw groups whatever they are and what so ever back ground they came from, shouldn’t be sympathized with. Houthis Militias and their supporter mislead the world; refuse peace initiatives except that make them stay in power. They do not believe on democracy, elections, ballets, and equal partnership, rights and citizenship. They are destroying the poor Yemen directly and indirectly by bringing all evils to it and even trying to destroy the fabric of the society.
They outcry the “Death” and “We do not care” slogans, and carry disastrous approach, use all kind of violations; torturing prisoners, forced abduction and evictions, recruiting children and youngsters, planting hundreds of thousands of land mines, depriving public servants from their salaries, maximizing the agony of the people and exploiting humanitarian issue that caused by them for political gains besides threatening security of Saudi Arabia and the international maritime navigation; especially trade and energy sources. We pray that they come to their rationality and stop the war to save Yemeni people and the country integrity and its remaining capabilities.
