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Global Challenges to Democracy Report  No.286

Report No.286: Yemen: An Aborted Democratic Dream

Nabil Al-Bukairi

March 03, 2026

Image: akramalrasny / shutterstock.com

This report analyses the challenges in Yemen which has for fourteen years suffered from the problem of aborted democratization. This is aggravated by acute and continuous state failure. After a discussion of state fragility since the popular uprising of 2011, the report outlines what is needed in Yemen. This includes a process of national reconciliation without which no democratization will be ever possible, to revive the National Dialogue begun in 2013-14, a strategy of stabilization, and a development and social justice vision to prevent further state collapse.