President Al Zubaidi International Engagement and Openness

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The South: Between Public Awareness, Security Integration, and Comprehensive Development

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South Eye | Report - Exclusive

In a region long fueled by conflict and instability, South Arabia (PDRY) emerges today as a political and social model striving for revival through clear foundations: security, education, public awareness, and firm rejection of ideological extremism. This approach is not built on slogans or sentiment but on a deep historical experience of pre-1990 state institutions and a broad societal realization that any project lacking civic governance and integrated development is bound to fail.

1. The South’s Institutional Experience Before 1990

Prior to the 1990 unification, South Arabia operated under a structured and institutional legal system, with functional civil and service institutions following a centralized governance model. Corruption, bribery, and academic fraud were not characteristics of the southern state. Rather, transparency, accountability, and a high-quality education system were key features of the period.

> Historical Reference:

A 1988 World Bank report noted that “South Yemen (PDRY State) maintained one of the most widespread and organized education systems in the Arab region, despite limited resources” [(World Bank, Yemen Education Sector Review, 1988)].

2. Post-1990: State Fragmentation and Rise of Corruption

Following unification and 94 war, the southern institutional model began to erode. Practices foreign to the South, such as systemic fraud and bribery, infiltrated public life. The deterioration extended to educational and administrative structures, opening the door for ideological forces like the Muslim Brotherhood and the Houthis militia after 2014 to exploit these vulnerabilities.

3. Popular Awarenesse

Despite these challenges, the Southern people has maintained a deeply rooted civic consciousness. It categorically rejects ideological authoritarianism — whether in its Houthi militias or Brotherhood forms — recognizing both as threats to Southern governance and national independence.

This rejection is not rooted in bias, but in lived experience. Southerners have witnessed firsthand how these groups infiltrate institutions, politicize religion, and suppress liberties.

> Analytical Source:

A 2023 report by the Carnegie Middle East Center emphasized that “South Yemen possesses a unique resilience to ideological penetration due to its institutional orientation and prior state-building experience” (Carnegie MENA, 2023).

4. Education: From Citizen Immunity to National Renaissance

Education in the South during the 1960s–1980s was a vital pillar for shaping national identity and civic awareness. It promoted dialogue, legal norms, and nonviolence. The collapse of the sector post-war enabled extremist narratives to flourish. However, education remains the cornerstone for rebuilding southern identity and insulating future generations from ideological regression.

5. Security: From Protection to Enabler of Development

Southern security forces, such Security belts, elite forces, security administrations today have demonstrated notable progress, not only in maintaining order but also in combating terrorism, smuggling, and organized crime. Security is now seen as a development enabler — a foundation for investment, social peace, and institutional stability.

> On-the-Ground Reference:

The UN Panel of Experts on Yemen noted in 2024 that “security formations such as the Security Belt and Elite Forces have achieved significantly better results in counterterrorism compared to the more volatile northern regions” (UN Panel of Experts on Yemen, 2024).

6. Regional and International Responsibility

 The South does not seek isolation. Instead, it welcomes meaningful partnerships based on mutual benefit, expertise-sharing, and institutional support in education, security, development and governance, and that's what President Al Zubaidi confirms on, most notably in his recent meetings and in the previous international engagement from Davos to COP...

7. The South as a Pillar of Global Stability

All indicators point to the South heading toward internal stability based on popular awareness, organized security, and modernized education.

This model must not be isolated from the global system. It should be supported to become a positive actor in regional peace, anti-terrorism efforts, and the safeguarding of international maritime routes.

> Strategic Recommendation by IISS:

“Supporting the South is not merely a local necessity, but a critical element in stabilizing the Western Indian Ocean and Red Sea region” (IISS, Strategic Survey 2024).

The South is a national legal fair Popular project and a mature political and social experience, led by the Southern Transitional Council. It is not part of an ideological conflict but rather seeks to rise above it by creating an inclusive, institutional, and functioning model of governance.

The public's awareness, the integration of security with education and development, and the rejection of authoritarian ideologies, all point toward a future where the South continue playing a stabilizing role — not only in its region (State), but as part of the global order. What’s needed now is genuine and responsible international support from the regional allies and the broader community to help this model grow and flourish.