People of South' Aspirations A Democratic Demand and Call for Respect

REPORTS - 18 day ago

The Demands of the People of South Yemen: A Democratic Will and National Sovereignty

South Eye | Report - Exclusive

Amid escalating political and economic crises in the region, the people of South Yemen emerge as a dynamic force demanding their legitimate right to self-determination and the establishment of an independent, sovereign state. These demands are not an imposition but a reflection of a deep-rooted democratic will grounded in principles of freedom and justice, aspiring to build a stable democratic state modeled after successful nations like South Korea, Taiwan, and Ukraine, which continue to be supported by the international community as active partners and prominent examples of economic, political, and security stability.

So, We affirm that the demands of the South are not authoritarian but based on the following foundations:

First, since the launch of the peaceful Southern Movement in 2007, the people of the South have expressed their will through peaceful demonstrations and consistent calls for the right to self-determination. This will is clearly reflected in the widespread public support for the restoration of the southern state.

Second, the demands of the people of the South align with democratic mechanisms, as they call for a free and fair public referendum under the supervision of the United Nations to determine their destiny based on their free will.

Third, the South has demonstrated a commitment to human rights, striving to establish a state that respects human rights & International Laws, ensures public freedoms, and achieves social justice—away from the policies of repression and marginalization they have endured since the forced unification of 1990. Since the declaration of unity in Yemen, northern political forces have dominated state institutions, exploiting the unity to subjugate the South politically and economically. Governments have successively exploited the South and left it suffering from poverty and unemployment while the economy is managed to serve the northern elite.

In the political context, the demands of the Southerners were met with repression and marginalization, as northern forces employed security and judicial institutions to silence any opposing voices.

Currently, the government has failed to provide basic services such as water, electricity, and healthcare, making daily life increasingly difficult for Southerners.

From this perspective, we affirm that the people of the South are not merely seeking the restoration of their state but aspire to build a modern democratic model that fulfills their aspirations for progress and prosperity. The South aims to establish a modern democratic state that adopts good governance, respects freedoms, and supports economic and social development.

The people of South affirm their readiness to adopt any system of governance chosen democratically by the people, ensuring justice and prosperity while aligning with the primary goal of recognition as a sovereign state.

Accordingly, we direct a message to the international community: Asking hopefully to understand that the demands of the people of South as they are not merely a local political issue but a humanitarian cause tied to the right to freedom and self-determination.

In line with the UN Charter, all peoples have the right to self-determination through peaceful means.
Moreover, supporting the aspirations of the South will contribute to regional stability, counter-terrorism efforts, and the security of vital international waterways such as Bab al-Mandab.
Influential countries must reassess their regional policies and support democratic solutions that respect the will of the people of the South and ensure justice.

The demands of the people of South are not narrow political ambitions but a genuine democratic expression of the aspirations of a people who have endured decades of marginalization and oppression. These are not mere allegations but the lived experiences of a population spanning from Al-Mahra to Bab al-Mandab, documented by several international entities.

Therefore, the international community must adopt a more supportive stance toward these just demands and work toward realizing the aspirations of the people of the South to establish an independent, sovereign state that serves as a reliable regional partner, contributed and still contributing to regional and international peace.