As Yemen Central Government is defiantly refusing to discuss the possibility of secession with South Yemen, assuring both the international community and its citizens that the National Dialogue hold the answers to all of the nation's woes, southerners seem to have already made up their mind - secession.
A survey conducted earlier this month by al-Jazeera network revealed that an overwhelming majority of citizens in Yemen southern provinces are set on reclaiming their independence, arguing they can no longer suffer the abuses of Sana'a. Under deposed President Ali Abdullah Saleh's leadership, Yemenis across the southern region said their lands had been stolen, their benefits -- retirement essentially -- illegally taken away and their resources looted for the benefit of the north.
Prominent al-Harak figures - Southern Secessionist Movement - such as Ali Salem al-Beydh - former South Yemen President - have ever since 2011 revolution been digging their heels, advocating independence and independence alone for South Yemen, urging its youth to raise the old southern flag.
"After a decade of a bad marriage [reference made to Yemen unification] South Yemen wants to reclaim its lands and its right to self-determination," said Mohammed Hamed a school teacher turned political activist in al-Mansoura district of Aden southern seaport.
"I don't think Sana'a understands how deep independence runs in our veins ... It is not a whim politicians can negotiate away, it is the will of a people to live free," he added.
Other activists less radical in their views told the Yemen Post on Tuesday federalism could be the only way to save Yemen unity, allowing some degree of self-determination, while maintaining the integrity of the state and the republic.
Abdel-Magid Kulaib a moderate Haraki in Aden in favor of federalism warned time was running for Sana'a as southerners were being radicalized by die-hard secessionists, making the window for negotiation that much tighter
ليست هناك تعليقات :
إرسال تعليق