NYN | News
Yemeni economic experts have warned of “catastrophic” consequences for Yemen’s sovereignty and national identity, following leaks indicating that the Aden government plans to adopt the Saudi riyal as its official currency. They consider this move a “humiliating surrender” to the failure of its financial policies and its chronic corruption, rather than a solution to the economic crisis affecting the citizens.
In an exclusive interview with Yemen New News, Yemeni economist Zaid Ali confirmed that the call to generalize the Saudi currency is an attempt to transform Yemen into an economically dependent entity. He pointed out that the Aden government failed to manage the monetary file and that the national currency lost 70% of its value due to the looting of reserves and the financing of militias. He also noted that systemic corruption has turned the central bank in Aden into a tool serving external agendas.
Ali added that such a step is a slap to Yemeni sovereignty, stating, “No country in the world gives up its national currency except under colonial pressures or a catastrophic failure in governance.” He emphasized that what is happening in Aden shows that the ruling elite there prefers to remain under Saudi protection rather than take responsibility for economic reforms.
In a related context, economic activists loyal to the Houthis (Ansar Allah) warned that adopting the Saudi riyal would pave the way for Riyadh to control Yemen’s financial decisions. They stressed that the real solution begins with overthrowing the corrupt government in Aden and reclaiming the looted wealth.
