Birth Pangs of a New State in South Yemen: Aden's Electricity Crisis

Take a look at the landscape in South Yemen, from Bab al Mandeb to Al Mahra. What do you see? It is not surprising to hear responses like "a failed state", "a war torn country", or "the next Somalia". The conflict of the past year compounded on the neglect of the past two decades would lead any logical person to conclude the same. But, do you know what I see? The coming of a new era. And, the suffering and instability are the birth pangs of a new state.

Some of the most challenging aspects of statehood are being figured out right now in Aden and Hadhramout. Providing security and electricity, regulating markets and state finances, balancing international diplomacy and local interests, crowd control and public transparency; these are challenges being addressed by the current local administrations in South Yemen. We are witnessing the birth of a nation. I mentioned before how a cohesive governance will emerge in South Yemen as a product of crisis; crisis is also driving the formation of responsive state institutions.


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