A thick royal plot in Jordan

On Saturday night, the Washington Post reported that the Jordanian authorities had arrested at least 20 people who they considered as a threat to the “security and stability” of the country. Among the key figures was the half brother of King Abdullah II, Prince Hamzah, and the former Head of the Royal Hashemite Court, Bassem Awadallah.

Shortly afterwards the BBC released a video of Prince Hamzah saying that he had been visited by the country’s Chief of the General Staff and told that he was being placed under house arrest. The Prince says in the message that he was told to stay in and not leave his house and avoid Tweeting. Prince Hamzah denied any wrongdoing, saying,

"I am not the person responsible for the breakdown in governance, the corruption and for the incompetence that has been prevalent in our governing structure for the last 15 to 20 years and has been getting worse... And I am not responsible for the lack of faith people have in their institutions.”

In Jordan itself there was uncertainty about the cause, motive and background of the events. Jordanian media expressed strongly worded messages of support for the King but most of the local population remained confused as to what had exactly happened. It was left to Israel radio and TV stations and social media, which have a strong following in Jordan, to articulate different possible scenarios. 

Jordanian officials initially did not comment, but the Deputy Prime Minister, Ayman Safadi, on Sunday said that investigations showed that those arrested were involved in a plot with “external opposition” and that further legal procedure will commence. He said that Prince Hamza liaised with foreign parties over a plot to destabilise the country and has been under investigation for some time.

Other officials and analysts said that the stability and security of the King and the Kingdom was a redline.

The background to this so-called plot is unknown, and it is unclear which foreign entities are involved. Some sources says that the plot was an attempt to topple the King while others say the Prince merely expressed a voice for change.

Jordan is an important political player in the region, and has an important role in the region’s relations with Israel. The Jordanian King is also often seen as the protector of Arab East Jerusalem. Jordan also has a large number of Palestinian, Iraqi ad Syrian refugees. Political stability in Jordan, regardless of the ruler, is strategically important for Arabs, Israelis and for Western strategic interests as well. 

 

source: commonspace.eu with agencies
photo: Prince Hamza bin al Hussein of Jordan (archive picture)

 

 

Related articles

Editor's choice
News
Borrell tells the European Parliament that the situation in Afghanistan was critical, but the EU will remain engaged

Borrell tells the European Parliament that the situation in Afghanistan was critical, but the EU will remain engaged

Borrell underlined that the European Union will make every effort to support the peace process and to remain a committed partner to the Afghan people. "Of course, we will have to take into account the evolving situation, but disengagement is not an option.  We are clear on that: there is no alternative to a negotiated political settlement, through inclusive peace talks.
Editor's choice
News
European Commission launches a Global Alliance to Counter Migrant Smuggling

European Commission launches a Global Alliance to Counter Migrant Smuggling

Criminal networks take advantage of people's desperation, and this abuse often leads to loss of life. Migrant smugglers squeezing hundreds of people onto unseaworthy boats, resulted in a staggering humanitarian toll of over 28 000 people having drowned or missing in the Mediterranean Sea since 2014. The main beneficiaries are the criminals, the smuggling networks in countries of origin, transit and destination. The current legislative framework is the Facilitators Package from 2002. Under the Facilitators Package, any person who intentionally assists the unauthorised entry, transit, or residence of a non-EU national into the EU, or, for financial gain, to reside there is to be sanctioned unless they are doing so for humanitarian reasons. On Tuesday (28 November), the European Commission proposed new legislation to prevent and fight migrant smuggling. The Commission has also launched a Call to Action for a Global Alliance to Counter Migrant Smuggling, at an International Conference hosted this week in Brussels. The Commission will ensure that the Global Alliance to Counter Migrant Smuggling will work at bilateral and multilateral level as well as through the work of the UNODC. Regular stocktaking at political level will be ensured, with the first event taking place in Copenhagen in the spring 2024. The Conference will be the first such opportunity to take stock of the achievements of the Global Alliance. Migrant smuggling is a criminal activity that disrespects human life and the dignity of people in the pursuit of financial or other material benefits. Smuggling networks make substantial profits from their criminal activities, ranging between EUR 4.7 – 6 billion worldwide annually.  The modi operandi of smuggling networks change rapidly, adapting to circumstances and responses by national authorities. This is why the Commission is increasing its efforts to tackle this crime at a global scale.

Popular

Editor's choice
News
European Commission launches a Global Alliance to Counter Migrant Smuggling

European Commission launches a Global Alliance to Counter Migrant Smuggling

Criminal networks take advantage of people's desperation, and this abuse often leads to loss of life. Migrant smugglers squeezing hundreds of people onto unseaworthy boats, resulted in a staggering humanitarian toll of over 28 000 people having drowned or missing in the Mediterranean Sea since 2014. The main beneficiaries are the criminals, the smuggling networks in countries of origin, transit and destination. The current legislative framework is the Facilitators Package from 2002. Under the Facilitators Package, any person who intentionally assists the unauthorised entry, transit, or residence of a non-EU national into the EU, or, for financial gain, to reside there is to be sanctioned unless they are doing so for humanitarian reasons. On Tuesday (28 November), the European Commission proposed new legislation to prevent and fight migrant smuggling. The Commission has also launched a Call to Action for a Global Alliance to Counter Migrant Smuggling, at an International Conference hosted this week in Brussels. The Commission will ensure that the Global Alliance to Counter Migrant Smuggling will work at bilateral and multilateral level as well as through the work of the UNODC. Regular stocktaking at political level will be ensured, with the first event taking place in Copenhagen in the spring 2024. The Conference will be the first such opportunity to take stock of the achievements of the Global Alliance. Migrant smuggling is a criminal activity that disrespects human life and the dignity of people in the pursuit of financial or other material benefits. Smuggling networks make substantial profits from their criminal activities, ranging between EUR 4.7 – 6 billion worldwide annually.  The modi operandi of smuggling networks change rapidly, adapting to circumstances and responses by national authorities. This is why the Commission is increasing its efforts to tackle this crime at a global scale.