Yemen
Overview of Yemen
The modern Republic of Yemen was born in 1990 when traditionalist North Yemen and Marxist South Yemen merged after years of border wars and skirmishes. But the peace broke down in 1994 and a short civil war ended in defeat for separatist southerners and the survival of the unified Yemen.
Since unification Yemen has been modernising and opening up to the world, but it still maintains much of its tribal character and old ways. Tensions persist between the north and the south; some southerners say the northern part of the state is economically privileged.
Political structure of Yemen
Yemen is a presidential republic with a bicameral legislature. Under the constitution, an elected President, an elected 301-seat Assembly of Representatives, and an appointed 111-member Shura Council share power. The President is the head of state, and the Prime Minister is the head of government.
Religion in Yemen
Virtually all citizens of Yemen are Muslims, either belonging to the Zaydi order of Shi'a Islam (50%) or to the Shafi'i order of Sunni Islam (50%). There are also approximately 3,000 Christians, 400 Jews and an extreme minority of Hindus. Islam in Yemen Virtually all citizens of Yemen are Muslims, either belonging to the Zaydi order of Shi'a Islam or to the Shafa'i order of Sunni Islam. While there are no available statistics, estimates are that the Zaydis form approximately 40 percent and the Shafa'is form 50 percent of the general population. There are a few hundred thousand Ismaili and Imami Shias who reside mainly in the north and northeast. There are some non-official Sufi doctrines.