Middle East Focus: South Yemenis Seek to Regain Independence………….

Arabia Deserta

South Yemenis Seek to Regain Independence………….

“Thousands have rallied across southern Yemen after an appeal from the last president of the independent south to re-establish the state that ceased to exist twenty years ago. Ali Salem al-Baid, who led the south to unity with the north in 1990, called for a second day of "southern anger" on Saturday, to coincide with a meeting of international donors to Yemen in neighbouring Saudi Arabia. "I call on you ... to send a message to our Arab brothers and to the representatives of the international community gathered in Riyadh underlining your rejection of the occupation and your commitment to self-determination," Baid said. "Our only weapon is our determination to recover our rights, whatever the cost ... we will succeed in regaining our independence."…………..”

“Yemeni authorities declared a state of emergency in a southern provincial capital today, citing the possibility of separatist attacks two days after a policeman was shot dead in an ambush in a nearby province….. A government official said the state of emergency in the city of Dalea was "to guard against acts of violence that outlaws are intent on carrying out in the city". He spoke in language Sanaa typically uses to refer to separatists……………”

Democratic Republic of (South) Yemen was in economic and political trouble by 1990. So what did they do? They joined tribal ninth century Northern Yemen. Now, after 32 years of the family dictatorship of Ali Abdallah Saleh, they are having buyers’ remorse. They expected to share I power, with a typical Arab oligarchy family! I wish them luck and speedy independence.
Cheers
mhg

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