Statement Issued by Yemen Parliamentarians Against Corruption Regarding the Ongoing Electricity Crisis in Aden and the Escalating Water Crisis in Taiz

Yemen Parliamentarians Against Corruption expresses its deep concern regarding the continued electricity crisis in the temporary capital, Aden, and other governorates, as well as the worsening water crisis in Taiz. These crises are leading to escalating human suffering and have serious consequences for the livelihoods and health of citizens.

The electricity crisis in Aden has become a glaring example of the failure of public services and the absence of accountability and transparency in managing public resources and vital files, despite the billions of dollars allocated over the past years in the name of supporting the energy sector. The recurring power outages, especially during high temperatures and challenging living conditions, are exacerbating the suffering of residents and highlighting deep flaws in administration, oversight, and the fair distribution of services.

In Taiz, the water crisis continues to worsen day by day due to deteriorating infrastructure and the lack of real and sustainable solutions from the responsible authorities. Water has become a rare commodity that ordinary citizens can hardly obtain, while it should be a fundamental right for every citizen, not a privilege determined by influence or financial ability.

We, at Yemen Parliamentarians Against Corruption, affirm that the roots of these service crises stem from pervasive corruption, mismanagement of resources, excessive politicization of vital service sectors, and the lack of effective transparency and accountability. We call for the following actions:

1. An urgent and transparent investigation into the electricity files in Aden and other liberated governorates, as well as the water crisis in Taiz, to identify the sources of failure and negligence and hold those responsible accountable.
2. Publication of regular and transparent reports detailing the resources allocated to these sectors, the mechanisms of spending, and the entities benefiting from these resources.
3. Involvement of civil society and independent oversight bodies in monitoring the implementation of service projects and ensuring the equitable distribution of resources.
4. Pressure on both local and central authorities to take immediate and genuine actions to alleviate the suffering of citizens and guarantee the minimum level of human dignity.
5. Activation of the role of official oversight bodies, especially the Central Organization for Control and Audit and the Supreme National Authority for Combating Corruption, empowering them to review and audit corruption files in service sectors and publish their findings to the public.
6. Enabling the Parliament to hold urgent and regular sessions to fulfill its oversight and legislative role in monitoring these vital issues and holding the responsible executive bodies accountable.
7. Ensuring press and media freedom and protecting journalists from all forms of intimidation and violations, as they are key partners in exposing the truth and enhancing transparency. We also call for the enforcement of relevant laws, particularly the Right to Information Law, to ensure the flow of information and enable citizens and media outlets to monitor public affairs and promote community accountability.

The continuation of these service crises threatens social peace, erodes trust between citizens and the state, and fosters an environment of frustration and division, potentially leading to unfavorable outcomes.

Issued by:
Yemen Parliamentarians Against Corruption
Aden
Date: July 29, 2025