Restructuring Yemeni military and security institutions is a complex task because it reconfigures internal and external balances and holds high stakes. Former President Saleh sees it as a final chance to keep his relatives in power while the opposition sees it as a chance for the transfer of power.
Restructuring the military and security institution has caused a huge controversy in Yemen. It became a political crisis after former President Ali Abdallah Saleh refused to dismiss his relatives from the military and security institutions and threatened to withdraw his ministers from the government. In response, current President Abd Rabbo Mansour declared that he will form a new government, easing tension and enabling the government to overcome the crisis. Moreover, many revolutionary forces declared their boycott of the upcoming Comprehensive National Dialogue conference (scheduled for April 2012) until the restructuring of the military institution.