Following an invitation by several of al-Harak leaders, the Southern Secessionist Movement, among whom Hassan Baoum, secessionist supporters staged a wide-scale disobedience movement this Sunday across the southern territories in remembrance of JUly 7, 1994 when Aden, the former capital of South Yemen had to surrender to then-President Ali Abdullah Saleh after a failed secession coup.
Hassan Baoum, Head of the Southern Movement Council delivered a speech in Mukalla, the regional capital of the southern province of Hadhramawt, in which he called on the international community and the coalition government to recognize all southerners’ right to political self-determination and independence.
In a fiery speech directed at Sana’a, central government Baoum rejected what he qualifies as the occupation of South Yemen, warning that Harakis would not rest until they reach their goal, no matter the hurdles.
On of the thorniest issue being debated at the National Dialogue Conference, the southern issue, remains just as controversial as ever with representatives warning that with no consensus in sight, Yemen reconciliation process is heading to a brick wall.
Emboldened by Egypt second revolutionary wave many Harakis militants and leaders feel they have now enough momentum to see through their dream of independence.
Several delegations from the Southern Movement gathered on Sunday in Mukalla in a great show of political force, something politicians in Sana’a are feeling rather uneasy about, giving heightened tensions in the region.