When President last met with Saudi King Abdullah in November, Saleh informed him that he hates rule, and compared ruling Yemen to wearing dirty shoes. Abdullah smiled and replied, “Then take them off,” referring to Saleh to step dowm from power. Saleh stood in silence finally knowing that everyone was fed up with his lies and dirty tricks, even his closest allies.
In less than a month, the fruits of the Yemeni revolution will be felt, as Saleh will no longer be President of Yemen.
Being forced to leave the country, deeply inside Saleh knows he was degraded.
He is not expected to come back to Yemen anytime soon, as Yemenis will continue demanding his prosecution as long as he lives.
Though he received the immunity he long seeked, it means nothing in front of the international law.
Families of over 1500 youth activists killed during the Yemeni revolution have not forgave him, and to them, justice must prevail.
Three years ago, during the peak of Saleh’s power, no one ever thought that he would be leaving in such a way.
However, Saleh still had some luck on his side, compared to the Arab rulers who were forced out of power last year.
One ruler was killed, the other in living in exile, while another was imprisoned.
Saleh spent billions in gathering allies, handed towns over to al-Qaeda, stood behind sectarian violence in the north, punished Yemenis with one hour a day of electricity, doubled prices of almost everything, and even pushed separatists in the south to revolt, but in the end, he leaves power hopeless.
This teaches us all a lesson; no one should underestimate the power of the people.
Let’s just hope Saleh does not create problems for Yemen while living in exile. In the end, Saleh only knows how to damage and not build.
We hope he gives this country a chance to see light after a dark 33 year era.