"Symbol of Coexistence and Embrace of Pluralism": Leaders in Yemen's General People's Congress Celebrate 42nd Anniversary in Marib

The city of Marib in northeastern Yemen witnessed a large-scale celebration on Saturday, August 24th, marking the 42nd anniversary of the founding of the General People's Congress (GPC) political party. The event was attended by a diverse crowd of political figures, social groups, and citizens, highlighting the city's reputation as a symbol of national unity and political pluralism.

The celebration, organized by the GPC branch in Marib, saw the participation of local authorities, military and security leaders, representatives from various political parties, sheiks, social figures, women leaders from different political factions, and a large gathering of citizens and GPC members.

The event featured speeches and poetry recitals honoring the GPC's legacy. The party, founded in 1982 under the leadership of former Yemeni President Ali Abdullah Saleh, has played a significant role in Yemeni politics.

In an interview with Bran Press, Marib Deputy Governor Sheikh Ali al-Fatimi extended his congratulations to the "great" Yemeni people on the occasion of the 42nd anniversary. He emphasized the unity of all political forces in their shared goal of defeating the Houthi rebellion and restoring constitutional institutions.

Member of the GPC's Standing Committee, Sheikh Mohammed Abdulwahab Muawwadah, expressed pride in the participation of "all Yemeni citizens" in the celebration. He described the large turnout as an "honor for all GPC leaders."

Muawwadah called for the unification of the republican front against the "rebellious, coup-plotting, and terrorist Houthi militia," and highlighted the significance of celebrating Marib, a city known for its history, civilization, and resistance against the Houthis.

Saud al-Yousefi, Deputy Chairman of the GPC branch in Marib, stated that the citizens participating in the celebration represent the "proud people who reject oppression and tyranny." He emphasized their commitment to the nation, legitimacy, and leadership, and their opposition to the Houthi militia.

Al-Yousefi expressed gratitude to the GPC leaders who traveled from various Yemeni provinces to participate in the celebration. He confirmed the GPC's support for all political forces in Marib, including the Islah, Socialist, Nasserist, Ba'ath, and other national forces, in their shared commitment to supporting the legitimacy under the leadership of President Rashad al-Alimi, head of the Presidential Leadership Council.

He reaffirmed the GPC's unified stance in defending the republic and restoring the state, welcoming all decisions regarding Ambassador Ahmed Ali Abdullah Saleh. He emphasized the GPC's solidarity with all those who oppose the Houthis, stating, "We are with anyone who stands against the Houthis."

A decisive stage

In his speech during the celebration, the conference leader "Al-Yousfi" stressed the importance of all political leaders realizing the importance of the stage, which he said is "decisive, and in which the Houthi militias must be eliminated and Sana'a must be returned."

He pointed to the position of the conference and all political parties in Marib, which he said rejected the positions of their central leadership in Sana'a for the sake of Marib in 2015, stressing that all political forces in Marib have one position under the leadership of the member of the Presidential Leadership Council and the governor of the province, Sheikh Sultan Al-Arada, who played a role in 2014, and still plays, in unifying the political, military and social position, and we are with the Nakhal and Al-Suhail landfills.

"Al-Yousfi" revealed that the conference party presented 1482 martyrs from all governorates of the republic, without any favors, and said that presenting these sacrifices came "side by side with all parties, foremost of which is the Islah, with which we are allies for the sake of the homeland."

A historic day
In turn, the head of the political department of the Marib Conference, Abshal Fatini, considered the celebration of the 42nd anniversary of the founding of his party a historic day in the struggles of the Yemeni people.

Al-Fattini said in an interview with “Barran Press” that celebrating this anniversary has many meanings, including: “expressing freedom, development, democracy and the National Charter.” He explained that celebrating it in Marib has many connotations as it is the governorate that stood against the Imamate in 1948, in the 1962 revolution, and against the militia coup on September 21, 2014.

He pointed to the unification of tribes, political forces and all the people of Yemen in Marib, stressing that the anniversary represents a launch to unify the broad ranks of all the people of Yemen and unify the General People’s Congress to confront the Iranian Safavid tide.

The symbolism of Marib
In the event, the Chairman of the Shura Council, First Deputy Chairman of the General People’s Congress, Dr. Ahmed Obaid bin Dagher, participated in the speech celebration, gave a recorded speech, in which he spoke about the symbolism of Marib Governorate as it hosts these events. Expressing his appreciation for this steadfast governorate that defended the Yemenis as a whole.

Bin Dagher said: “Our central celebration of the Congress anniversary in Ma'rib, a symbol of steadfastness and sacrifice, and a symbol of construction in times of war, expresses our high appreciation for this frontline governorate that defends half of Yemen, and the sacrifices of its valiant people, and those who supported them from other governorates.

He explained that it also expresses "our unlimited support for our national army, its brave men and leaders who are at the forefront of the struggle on one of the major fronts of resistance to the coup, the army that the enemy fears and has known as it creeps and overlooks Sana'a from the mountains of Nihm."

He said: "The anniversary of the founding of the General People's Congress returns today in extremely dangerous and complex circumstances. A full decade has passed since the Houthi coup against legitimacy, during which the Republic of Yemen was exposed to many dangers that still exist, as the Imamate in its abhorrent Houthi form was able to control parts of our beloved homeland, and backwardness with its racist cultural contents returned to raise its malicious face in our lives."

Houthi aggression
In his speech, Bin Dagher pointed to the "painful" reality created by "ten years of conflict in the face of the coup," and said that it "brought Yemen back to the eras before September, and even before the first independence."

He added: “The Houthis, with their aggressive, terrorist, racist, and sectarian approach, destroyed our country’s potential and economic capabilities. The Houthis tore apart its social fabric, and our national culture and our collective identity were tampered with and falsified. The myth usually perpetuates the tragedy that accompanied Yemen with the presence of the first Imam on Yemeni soil, and hundreds of thousands of our sons were martyred and wounded in the epic of defending the republic and unity.”

Bin Dagher welcomed the lifting of sanctions on former ambassador Ahmed Ali Abdullah Saleh, and said: “Perhaps it is a golden opportunity to reunite,” expressing his hope for “party unity based on respecting the national charter, rejecting the Houthi coup, and recognizing the legitimacy of those who are able to do so.”

The conference leader, Bin Dagher, called for “overcoming the loopholes that threaten to preserve this historical entity, as another responsibility before the party leaderships who must sense national responsibility, overcome the state of dispersion, and restore the unity of leadership and decision.”

He stressed that the federal state is the only project capable of confronting the racist, sectarian Imamate tide in our country, and it is the only project capable of containing the social contradictions that have produced a degree of severe conflicts.

A rich record
For his part, the head of the Yemeni Rashad Party in Ma'rib Governorate, Abdul Rahman Al-Adhal Al-Muradi, stressed that the General People's Congress Party recorded the most wonderful positions during 42 years and witnessed the most dangerous historical decisions and events.

He added in the speech that was followed by the "Bran Press" correspondent, that the Congress harnessed all its forces to serve the people and national issues, and struggled to preserve national constants, republican gains, and to achieve the republican goals of the glorious revolutions of September 26 and October 14.

He said that the Congress "continued to carry the banner of struggle and struggle until the declaration of Yemeni unity, and the achievement of political pluralism and peaceful circulation."

Marib Model 
In the speech of the political parties, Al-Muradi touched on the Marib Governorate experience and the joint work of all political components in harmony and regularity and under the auspices of its leadership and local authority, headed by the member of the Presidential Council and Governor of the Governorate, Major General Sultan bin Ali Al-Arada, who he said was “the owner of the national stances and courageous decisions.”

He considered this experience “strong evidence of the ability of the sons of this people to achieve an ideal life on the soil of the entire Yemeni homeland if intentions are sound, determination is sincere, and ambitions rise above narrow interests, adding: The announcement of the (Marib Comprehensive Conference) a few days ago is nothing but evidence of the soundness of these intentions and sincerity of determination.”

A model of coexistence
Marib Governorate is witnessing a growing political, intellectual, and cultural movement in light of the state of security and stability witnessed by the governorate, according to politicians, researchers, journalists, and intellectuals who spoke to “Bran Press.”

They pointed out that Ma'rib Governorate hosted on July 21st the mass and speech ceremony on the occasion of the 12th anniversary of the founding of the Yemeni Rashad Party, with a large official and popular presence, and before that, it hosted the commemoration of the founding of the Socialist, Baath and Republican parties.

This indicates, according to politicians and researchers, that the governorate has become the ideal model for freedom, democracy, and coexistence, in light of the presence of state institutions and their support for rights and freedoms, which made it a spirit of politics, growth, and strength.