Government Silence and Popular Pain… Who Will Fill the Void?

NYN | Reports and Analyses 

The interim capital, Aden, and other areas under the control of Yemen’s internationally recognized government are currently experiencing a suffocating economic crisis. The continued collapse of the Yemeni rial against foreign currencies and the unprecedented rise in the prices of essential goods have significantly increased the cost of living, pushing large segments of the population to the brink of hunger.

According to local banking sources, the exchange rate of the US dollar in Aden reached 2,790 Yemeni rials today, while the Saudi riyal rose to 730 rials. Meanwhile, government authorities remain completely incapable of halting the currency’s rapid decline.

This sharp devaluation has directly affected the prices of food and basic necessities. A 50-kg sack of rice has surged to 180,000 rials, a sack of flour now costs 60,000 rials, a large container of yogurt is selling for 1,900 rials, and a can of beans is priced at 2,000 rials — making even the most basic food items unaffordable for a wide portion of the population.

This comes amid a near-total collapse of essential services such as electricity, water, and healthcare, alongside the suspension of government support and the discontinuation of salaries for both civil and military sectors — all of which have deepened public frustration.

In the past few hours, social media platforms have witnessed a surge in grassroots calls for mass protests across the southern governorates. The demands include the dismissal of the Presidential Leadership Council and the government, as well as an end to the economic and service-related decline, amid growing accusations of government negligence and corruption.

Observers warn that the current crisis could spark an imminent popular uprising if the authorities continue to ignore public demands and fail to offer real solutions to halt the worsening economic and living conditions in the areas under their control.