The United States established diplomatic relations with North Yemen in 1946 and South Yemen in 1967. The North had previously been part of the Ottoman Empire, and the South had been ruled by the United Kingdom. The Yemen Arab Republic (North Yemen) severed relations with the United States on June 7, 1967 in the wake of the Arab-Israeli conflict. Diplomatic relations were reestablished in July 1972 after a visit to Sana’a by U.S. Secretary of State William P. Rogers. The U.S. embassy in Aden closed when the People’s Republic of Southern Yemen severed diplomatic relations with the United States on October 24, 1969. In 1970, the People’s Republic of Southern Yemen changed its name to the People's Democratic Republic of Yemen and on April 30, 1990, the United States resumed diplomatic relations with the country. The Yemen Arab Republic and the People’s Democratic Republic of Yemen unified under the Republic of Yemen in 1990. In 1994 civil war broke out in Yemen over North-South contentions and the country continues to struggle with issues over unification. After reunification Yemen elected Ali Abdullah Saleh, former president of the Yemen Arab Republic, to lead the country.
In early 2011 demonstrations against the Saleh government began and later led to the president's ouster through a Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) negotiated agreement giving temporary power to then Vice President, Abdo Rabo Mansour Hadi.
In February 2012 Hadi was elected by the Yemeni people to serve as president during the two-year transition period at which point new leadership will be elected. Since the signing of the GCC-led agreement Yemen has experienced a significant transformation and is charting a path to democracy. A successful democratic transition will require the country to overcome a number of serious, complex, and interrelated challenges. Currently, the United States enjoys a close and collaborative relationship with the Republic of Yemen government and the Yemeni people. The United States supports Yemen's efforts to achieve this goal through a comprehensive strategy that promotes political, economic, and security sector reforms that will enable the government to respond to the needs and aspirations of the Yemeni people.
U.S. Assistance to Yemen
Yemen continues to face significant humanitarian and economic obstacles in a security environment that is increasingly unstable. Over the next two years, the Yemeni government has committed to convene a National Dialogue Conference representing all Yemen’s people, establish a constitutional reform process, present an amended constitution for approval by the Yemeni people in a referendum, reform the electoral system including an updated voter registration list, and hold presidential and parliamentary elections as determined by the new constitution.
As the Republic of Yemen government (RoYG) continues to make progress on their political transition, the United States will seek to support Yemen by providing humanitarian assistance, delivering economic assistance, supporting good governance, encouraging expanded political participation, assisting with the development of a professional and capable security sector, and providing security assistance to combat the threat of violent extremism. The U.S. government will also continue to support the Yemeni private sector and non-governmental partners, in conjunction with the ROYG, to improve standards of living, reduce poverty and unemployment, expand infrastructure and access to services by advocating for improved policies and regulations in order to enhance the business investment and operational climate in the country. A fact sheet on fiscal year 2012 U.S. assistance to Yemen, as of August 2012, can be found here.
Bilateral Economic Relations
Energy exports generate the majority of Yemen's governmental revenue. Most U.S. investment in Yemen is in the oil and gas exploration and production sectors. The United States and Yemen have signed a trade and investment framework agreement. The two also have concluded bilateral market access negotiations as part of Yemen's efforts to accede to the World Trade Organization. The bilateral agreement provides new market access opportunities for U.S. providers of agriculture, goods, and services.
Yemen's Membership in International Organizations
Yemen and the United States belong to a number of the same international organizations, including the United Nations, International Monetary Fund, and World Bank. Yemen also is an observer to the World Trade Organization and the Organization of American States. Additionally, Yemen is a member of the Arab League and the Organization of Islamic Cooperation. Yemen also participates in the nonaligned movement; and, although not a member of the GCC, is allowed limited participation in some organizational affairs.
