Yemen Monitor/Aden/Private:
News of the Southern Transitional Council’s(STC) attempt, backed by the UAE, to pressure the lease of Aden International Port to Abu Dhabi Ports after 12 years of its expulsion from Aden Ports continues to anger Yemeni politicians.
In a joint statement, 24 members of the Yemeni Shura Council warned against leasing Aden Port to Abu Dhabi Ports Group, stressing their categorical rejection of “any agreement with it related to the port under any pretext or excuse.”
Al-Shura Council members called on the Presidential Leadership Council and the Cabinet to “issue a clear and unequivocal statement to stop any procedures or agreements that are intended to be carried out and affect Aden Port and the sovereignty of the country.” They held the government and the Leadership Council “responsible for any steps taken secretly or publicly that affect Aden Port or the sovereignty of the country.”
Al-Shura Council members’ statement affirmed that Aden Port “has been and remains a place of ambition for many countries, due to its strategic location.”
Economists say that the UAE is trying to impose its control over Aden Port and limit its activities to keep its ports active.
Earlier this week, a memo emerged from the head of the Transitional Council, Aidarus al-Zubaidi, who is a member of the Presidential Council, addressed to Prime Minister Ahmed Obeid bin Mubarak, revealing a government committee formed to conclude an agreement between Abu Dhabi Ports Group and Aden Ports for joint investment.
Yemeni member of parliament Ali Ash’hal described the return of Aden Port to the UAE as “a new disaster and misfortune” looming on the horizon.
He added: “Due to corruption deals, Aden Port has gone through two ordeals; the first with the Singaporean company that paid the state treasury nearly $150 million until the disastrous contract ended, and the second with Dubai Ports, with a payment of $23 million to terminate the contract.”
Al-Zubaidi’s memorandum, dated June 12, was in response to a memorandum from Prime Minister Ahmed bin Mubarak in which he warned the CEO of the “Aden Ports Development Company” against the continued refusal to allow the Central Control and Accountability Authority to examine the company’s work, accounts and records.
At the beginning of this year, Ahmed bin Mubarak had promised to fight corruption and dry up its sources, and to preserve public money.
Al-Zubaidi’s memorandum instructed the head of the government to “settle for the statements and accounts approved by the company’s board of directors and the international legal accountant.” He revealed talks to lease Aden Port to Abu Dhabi Ports Group.
Al-Zubaidi said in his memorandum that “there is a ministerial committee formed by Cabinet decision No. (49) for the year 2023, to negotiate with Abu Dhabi Ports Group and Aden Ports Corporation for joint investment, and it is on the verge of completing the final agreement.”
Dubai Ports had previously destroyed Aden Port and took over Al-Mu’alla Container Terminal and Kaltex station in November 2008. Although its share was only 20%, it was given operational management with a privileged position without any competitor and was granted the right to dispose of the two stations, which are Kaltex and Mu’alla. After three years, it became clear that instead of improving Aden Port’s revenues, container handling traffic at Aden Port declined by more than 57% during the period (2009-2011), compared to the period (2006-2008). This prompted the 2012 National Unity Government to cancel the agreement.
