Yemeni Unity Turns 34: How Do Southerners see it??

On May 22, 1990, a historic event took place in the city of Aden, Southern Yemen, as the announcement of Yemeni unity reverberated through the nation. This marked the union of the northern and southern states, which had emerged separately in the aftermath of the revolutions of September 26 and October 14 in the 1960s.

Tomorrow, as Wednesday, May 22, 2024, dawns, Yemenis across several provinces are preparing to celebrate the 34th anniversary of the unity agreement. These festivities occur amidst ongoing international efforts to bring an end to the prevailing conflict in the country and establish lasting peace.

In light of the subdued nature of the celebrations for Yemeni Unity Day in Aden, the temporary capital due to political considerations, the popular sentiment of commemorating this occasion, regarded by Yemenis as their "national holiday," has grown stronger.

A Symbol of Freedom

The discussions among Southern activists on various social media platforms concerning the 34th anniversary of Yemeni unity have caught the attention of "Brann Press." Noted journalist "Fathi Balzirq" expressed, "On this glorious anniversary of May 22, may the blessings of peace be upon the day when hearts united before nations."

Balzirq further stated in a post on the "X" platform, as observed by "Brann Press": "On the day of unity, the sun of freedom shone, shackles were cast aside, prison walls crumbled, jailers retreated, and people emerged to voice their aspirations in a homeland that safeguarded their rights and preserved their dignity without discrimination."

Controversies

Journalist "Akram Nasser" shared his perspective, saying, "The issue does not lie with Yemeni unity, as the post-2015 war period has revealed."

In a Facebook post, he added, "Those who advocated and clamored for secession underwent a significant change when they gained access to positions of power, wealth, real estate, and investments. Their speeches transformed, exposing the populism that had previously stirred the emotions of their loyal followers."

He continued, "Over time, we have come to realize that this group of instigators sought only those who would share power and wealth with them. This right belongs to all Yemenis, free from contentious debates. The subsequent years have exposed the separatists' slogans in the name of secession and the South, revealing their true nature. The undeniable evidence lies in our reality from 2015 until now."

Fading Mistakes

Within this context, activist "Iyad Al-Radfani" remarked, "It is not that people inherently despised unity; indeed, it was the dream of all Southerners. However, people grew disillusioned with unity due to the mistakes committed in the South following the war, fueled by the euphoria of 'victory.' I cannot deny that these mistakes have gradually diminished as the euphoria subsided."

He added, "Those advocating secession should have presented an appealing secessionist vision, one that differed significantly from what caused people to resent unity."

Concluding, he said, "Regrettably, the opposite occurred. The mistakes made by the proponents of secession far surpassed those of unity. Instead of restoring Southern national unity, the conflicts of the past were reignited, further eroding the social fabric of the South."

Al-Radfani emphasized that these mistakes prompted people to compare the projects of unity and secession, stating, "I cannot deny that the scales are currently tipped in favor of unity rather than secession in the South."

Contradiction

Meanwhile, journalist "Jamil Haydera" commented on the backlash from Southern activists directed at Yemeni Army Chief of Staff Saghir bin Aziz after his statement about unity. Haydera remarked that the man "expressed his sentiments towards Yemeni unity, exercising his right as a proponent of unity guided by personal convictions."

Haydera added, "In contrast, certain Southern activists were provoked by this statement, claiming that any discussion of unity stirs negative sentiments among Southerners."

He continued, "Are the emotions of Southerners so fragile and sensitive? What about their sentiments regarding the crises and corruption? Furthermore, how do they feel about Southerners in positions of power, considering they represent a unified Yemen?" Haydera questioned, "Is this not a glaring contradiction?"

The Arab Endeavor

Prominent activist "Fadl Al-Eissa" hailed Yemeni unity as the most significant Arab undertaking achieved under the leadership of Ali Abdullah Saleh and Ali Salem Al-Beidh.

In a statement, Al-Eissa conveyed his congratulations to the Yemeni people on this momentous occasion in Arab history, while beseeching Allah for security, stability, and the restoration of a fully functioning state under the banner of the Yemeni Republic.

The Voice of Transitional Council Activists

However, "Baran Press" has been closely monitoring dissenting voices on the subject of unity, primarily emanating from activists associated with the Southern Transitional Council.

Anis Al-Sharafi, a prominent figure within the Southern Transitional Council, proclaimed in a tweet, "Unity has perished, as Ali Salem Al-Beidh had declared back in 1992."

Al-Sharafi further asserted, "Unity met its demise in its infancy, as the leaders of the Sana'a regime rejected attempts to redefine this unity, leading to the outbreak of the 1994 summer war. That conflict culminated in the decision to declare disengagement, leaving no room for a return to unity."

In a similar vein, activist Ahmed Aqeel Baras expressed, "Every time we contemplate giving Yemeni unity a second chance, taking into account the interests of its people and granting genuine autonomy to each region, from Saada to Bab al-Mandab, those who instilled hatred for unity resurface, reminding us of its supposed merits, which in turn reinforces our rejection. Leave us be, as unity no longer concerns us."

The Yemeni People's Commemoration

Tomorrow, on Wednesday, May 22, 2024, Yemenis will celebrate the 34th anniversary of the reestablishment of Yemeni unity in 1990. The occasion will be marked by popular preparations across various provinces in Yemen, amidst international endeavors to bring an end to the ongoing war and restore peace.

May 22, 1990 witnessed the unification of the two Yemeni territories following the triumph of the "September 26, 1962, Revolution" against the imamate system in the north and the "October 14, 1963, Revolution" against British colonization in the south. Yemeni unity was hailed as the pinnacle of the Yemeni people's struggle against oppression and foreign control, fulfilling their aspirations for a unified and stable existence after years of division.

The Yemeni populace commemorates the 34th anniversary of the National Day of the Yemeni Republic (May 22, 1990) amidst what the United Nations has described as the world's worst humanitarian crisis. The war has now entered its tenth year, while calls for deviating from national unity have emerged.

These developments unfold against the backdrop of intense regional, international, and United Nations initiatives aimed at urging Yemeni factions to sign an agreement, bringing an end to the war and paving the way for a permanent and comprehensive peace in the country.