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Ali Abdullah Saleh

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World Leader

The Resume

    (March 21, 1942-December 4, 2017)
    Born in Bayt al-Ahmar, Yemen
    Joined North Yemeni Armed Forces (1958)
    Promoted to Major (1969)
    Promoted to Colonel (1976)
    Vice President of North Yemen (June 24-July 18, 1978)
    President of North Yemen (July 18, 1978-May 22, 1990)
    President of Yemen (May 22, 1990-February 27, 2012)
    Promoted to Field Marshal (December 24, 1997)

Why he might be annoying:

    He participated in an army coup that overthrew Muhammad al-Badr, the last king of North Yemen. (1962)
    His critics have said that he abused every available loophole to confuse and intimidate people in order to stay in power.
    He created a nepotistic system of government that put his family members in key positions.
    New York Times reporter Robert F. Worth accused him of embezzling tens of billions of dollars while many Yemenis suffer from poverty.
    He was an ally of Saddam Hussein, even supporting his invasion of Kuwait, which resulted in the expulsion of Yemeni workers from Saudi Arabia and Kuwait after the Gulf War.
    He was suspected of making deals with al-Qaeda while claiming to be fighting them.
    Even though he resigned amid mass protests, he still plans to return to power by allying with his one-time enemies, the Houthis, against the current Yemeni government.

Why he might not be annoying:

    He rose to power through his own skills rather than connections, as he didn't come from an important tribe.
    He defied the CIA's assumption that he wouldn't last long in office when he started becoming president.
    He oversaw the unification of North and South Yemen.
    For the most part, he managed to maintain good relations with Western and Arab countries.
    He allowed American drone aircraft to target al-Qaeda figures in Yemen.
    He suffer a collapsed lung and burns on 40% of his body in a bomb attack on the presidential mosque. (June 3, 2011)
    Unlike most leaders deposed during Arab Spring, he could live freely in his home country.

Credit: Big Lenny


Featured in the following Annoying Collections:

Year In Review:

    In 2023, Out of 113 Votes: 55.75% Annoying
    In 2022, Out of 17 Votes: 5.88% Annoying
    In 2021, Out of 14 Votes: 57.14% Annoying
    In 2020, Out of 1 Votes: 100% Annoying
    In 2019, Out of 30 Votes: 50.0% Annoying
    In 2018, Out of 106 Votes: 50.0% Annoying
    In 2017, Out of 98 Votes: 66.33% Annoying
    In 2016, Out of 2 Votes: 50.0% Annoying