Yemen Struggles to Combat Rampant Corruption Amid Economic Crisis

Yemen’s economy continues to suffer from widespread fiscal and administrative corruption, a major driver of the 2011 street protests and the ouster of the previous government. Despite a three-year transition period, the country remains plagued by corruption, with an absent and weakly performing government failing to address the issue.

Corruption in Yemen: A Major Challenge

According to Transparency International’s 2014 Corruption Index, Yemen ranks 14th globally and is the most corrupt country in the Arabian Gulf region. The culture of corruption has infected all aspects of public and private activity, presenting a significant challenge for the government.

Corruption Networks and Economic Impact

In the past two decades, corruption became rampant under the former regime, with no system of control and accountability to curb its growth. Corruption networks now dominate every aspect of public and private affairs, leading to weak government performance and the creation of corrupt power blocs that control public resources.

• Corruption in the civil service has led to a large number of “ghost workers,” putting immense pressure on the state budget while unemployment rates among youth remain high.
• Corruption in the energy, communications, and health sectors has resulted in poor service delivery and in some areas, these services have ceased to exist altogether.

Corruption’s Impact on Private Sector

Yemen’s investment environment is increasingly unfavorable due to corrupt practices imposed by influential individuals who demand large sums of money from investors for facilitation and protection. This has led to:

• Investor flight
• Job opportunities being scarce
• Yemeni businessmen abroad hesitant to return to invest in their home country

Parliament’s Role in Combating Corruption

In democratic countries, parliaments play a crucial role in determining how a country is governed through legislation or monitoring the implementation of laws. However, Yemen’s parliament has been largely ineffective due to its structure and internal capacity weaknesses.

• The parliamentary majority often defends the government and its policies, impeding accountability.
• For the current parliament to fulfill its role, it must demonstrate commitment to accountability and resist political entrenchment and squabbling.

Anti-Corruption Bodies

Established in 2006, the Supreme National Authority for Combating Corruption is a key anti-corruption body. However, its role has not been fully realized due to lack of resources and political will.

• Yemen lacks special courts to handle corruption cases, with only 71 cases referred to the courts out of 2,400 complaints filed between 2007 and November 2014.

Fighting Corruption Requires Strong Leadership

To combat corruption effectively, leadership must be resolute in tackling the issue from top-down. Higher officials must commit to combating corruption, and those convicted should face legal punishment regardless of their political or social status.

• The absence of strong anti-corruption bodies and a culture of impunity have allowed corruption to thrive in Yemen.
• Until these issues are addressed, the country’s economic woes are unlikely to improve, making it essential for the government to prioritize fighting corruption to restore public trust and stimulate economic growth.