Politics of Qat

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For Imam Yahya, one of Yemen’s last kings, qat was a source of joy celebrated in poetry, while revolutionary al-Zubayri viewed it as the “devil in the shape of a tree.” Perspectives on qat remain polarized. Some see qat farming as essential to Yemen’s rural economy and a means of preserving cultural identity, while others blame it for hindering development, exacerbating poverty, and contributing to water depletion and corruption. Opinions diverge on its role in Yemen’s “Arab Spring,” with some attributing the movement's momentum to qat, while others link it to the chaos and violence of the revolution. Even al-Qaeda affiliates discuss qat’s merits and drawbacks, with some suicide bombers reportedly chewing qat before their attacks. The group is cautious, delaying any stance on a ban to avoid alienating the populace. Yemen's 2011 “Youth Revolution” marked the end of a decade of ineffective qat policies and silence surrounding the issue, a silence maintained during President Ali Abdullah Salih's 33-year rule. As Yemen faces the depletion of oil and gas reserves, the significance of qat is expected to grow, shifting power towards highland tribes. This presents a substantial challenge for policymakers, while anti-qat activists, inspired by the revolution, have initiated campaigns against the drug, promoting a “revolution on one’s self.”