2023South Yemen: A Tale Of Autonomy And Independence Aspirations

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2023South Yemen: A Tale Of Autonomy And Independence Aspirations

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2023South Yemen: A Tale Of Autonomy And Independence Aspirations BY DAILY MIDDLE EAST [caption id="attachment_1331" align="alignnone" width="300"] 2023South Yemen: A Tale Of Autonomy And Independence Aspirations[/caption] Yemen's conflict spotlights Southern Transitional Council's role, addressing aspirations for independence amid complexities and challenges. View On Twitter Yemen's protracted conflict brings the issue of South Yemen's political future to the forefront. Central to this discussion is the Southern Transitional Council (STC), an entity that increasingly represents the aspirations of the Southern Movement for independence. However, the STC's claim to leadership is not universally accepted within the diverse Southern Movement. Understanding the complexities surrounding the STC and the Southern desire for independence is crucial for comprehending Yemen's path toward stability and peace. Founded in 2017, the Southern Transitional Council (STC) has emerged as a critical player in the quest for South Yemen's independence. Its formation was driven by calls for secession that have resonated with a large part of the population since the onset of the civil war in 2014. It positioned itself as the political leadership representing the interests of the South and aimed to guide the territories of the former People's Democratic Republic of Yemen toward self-determination. The Southern Movement, or the al-Hirak al-Janubi, has been a prominent force advocating for autonomy or independence for South Yemen. Its origins can be traced back to a sit-in protest by retired military officers in 2007, which evolved into a mass movement demanding political and economic decentralization, the rule of law, and equal access to state resources. Over time, the Southern Movement's demands expanded to encompass aspirations for self-governance and the revival of South Yemen's independent identity. Within the Southern Movement, multiple organizations have varying positions about the way forward. While the STC claims to represent the interests of the South, it does not have universal support. Other groups and individuals have their own visions for independence, differing leadership structures, and alternative approaches to achieving self-determination. The STC's rise to prominence within the Southern Movement can be attributed to its ability to mobilize resources and gain external support. However, some critics question the STC's legitimacy as the sole representative of Southern interests, arguing that not all Southern Movement organizations recognize its leadership claim. A Look at Kurdistan The Kurdish region of Iraq has a complex history. After the First World War, the opportunity for an independent Kurdish state was lost, and the Kurds faced marginalization within Iraq. In 1970, the Algiers Agreement granted limited autonomy to the Kurdish region, but in 1974, this was revoked by the Iraqi government, which launched a military offensive. This led to the First Kurdish-Iraqi War and widespread human rights abuses. After the 1991 Gulf War, Kurdish forces established the Kurdistan Regional Government (KRG) as a de facto autonomous region. The Kurdish region then became an integral part of Iraq’s federal structure and, since 2003, has maintained autonomy while participating in national politics and having representation in the central government. Michael Knights, the Jill and Jay Bernstein Fellow at the The Washington Institute, specializes in the military and security affairs of Iraq, Yemen, and Iran. He told the Daily Middle East that “Between 1992 and 2002, the Kurds in Iraq were essentially an independent state, even with its own currency, its own direct revenue share provided by the United Nations and security forces, and then they were reintegrated into Iraq, and it's never really been a happy reintegration.” Today, the Kurdish region operates as an autonomous entity within the federal framework. It has its own regional government, controls internal affairs, and plays a significant role in security, economy, and education. Despite challenges, the Kurdish region continues to negotiate its relationship with the central government, seeking a balance between autonomy and participation in Iraq's political landscape. Knights says about Yemen when compared to the history of the Kurdistan region of Iraq, “It's the same with southern Yemen.” Looking at Yemen Resolving the Southern question is crucial for achieving a sustainable peace agreement in Yemen.  With a history of being an independent state, calls for independence are being driven by the STC. Knights points out the difficulty of uniting Yemen and says, "You could cement the current lines loose confederation would have assets of its own and supporters of its own. Trying to force those three parts back into one tightly controlled framework will probably not work either. So the solution has to be something between a centralized state and five or six disintegrated Balkans-type mini-states.” Historically the People's Democratic Republic of Yemen (PDRY), or South Yemen, was a socialist state in the southern Arabian Peninsula, established in 1967 following the British withdrawal from the Aden Protectorate. The PDRY sought to create a socialist system inspired by Arab nationalism and aligned with the Soviet Union during the Cold War. Under the leadership of the Yemeni Socialist Party (YSP), the PDRY implemented various socialist policies aimed at transforming society. These included land reforms to redistribute agricultural holdings, nationalizing industries and enterprises, and establishing a planned economy. The government also prioritized social welfare, investing in education, healthcare, and infrastructure development. These efforts led to significant advancements in education and healthcare access, especially in rural areas. However, the PDRY faced internal challenges throughout its existence. Power struggles within the ruling party and ideological divisions among its leadership often resulted in political instability and factionalism. Economic difficulties arose, particularly with the decline in support from the Soviet Union following its collapse in 1991. In 1990, the PDRY and the Yemen Arab Republic (North Yemen) unified to form the Republic of Yemen, aiming to end decades of division and conflict between the two regions. However, tensions between the former PDRY and North Yemen persisted, leading to a brief civil war in 1994. The outcome of the conflict resulted in the centralization of power under the government of North Yemen, sidelining the influence of the PDRY. The lasting impact Despite its relatively short existence, the PDRY left a lasting impact on Yemen's history and political landscape. Its socialist policies, social welfare programs, and commitment to Arab nationalism continue to shape the discourse and aspirations of various political and social groups in Yemen. “Where South Yemen, the old People's Democratic Republic of Yemen, has an advantage is that within living memory, they can remember being a separate state. The completely separate institutions and foreign embassies worldwide and a seat of the United Nations. So, it's not like an aspiring secessionist group that has always dreamed of having a state,” says Knights. As Yemen seeks a path to peace and stability, the Southern Transitional Council and the Southern Movement's desire for independence are crucial factors to consider. The STC's emergence and claim to represent Southern interests underscore the complexity of Yemen's conflict and the importance of addressing the Southern question in sustainable peace negotiations.