Recalling our Memories of 26th September Revolution [Archives:2001/41/Law & Diplomacy]

Mohammed Bin Sallam
The Yemeni people celebrated the 39th anniversary of the 26th September Revolution, which signifies the end of a despotic and regressive reign in this part of the world. The republican system was established to represent the Yemeni people’s power. Ignorance, backwardness and epidemics vanished and the Imamates’ despotic rule, in which the Yemeni people remained under the cudgel of slavery and oppression for a long time, was vanquished. It was the time for the people to get rid of the and darkness and enter a reign of enlightenment and progress. In the coming days the Yemeni people will celebrate the 38th anniversary of the 14th October Revolution in which the Yemeni people were unchained from the slavery and oppression of the British colony. After some time, that is after subsequent revolutions and movements, the Yemeni people at length were able achieve a resounding victory to unify Yemen into one nation on May 22nd, 1990.
It is urgent that we devote ourselves to the future of Yemen. The future of Yemen requires the effort of all people in order to enhance and protect the groundwork of the unity and to expand the notion of democracy among the people. Effort should be exerted on a steadfast reform program to widen the horizons for a better future for Yemen.
The 26th September revolution was able to achieve some aspects of development. The problem lies in crystallizing the six goals of the Yemeni revolution and transforming them into a practical reality. For a long time, the goals have existed as mere mottos. Nothing have been achieved yet, such as stabilizing the mainstay of unity and democracy, enhancing the democratic process by bridging the gap among classes, giving rise to a comprehensive agriculture and industrial renaissance, leading to a raise in the standard of living, with the aim of ensuring a comfortable and honest life for all people. With this revolution, we still base our hopes on achieving a number of significant transitions which are included in the six goals of the revolution. Generally speaking, the government remains paralyzed in achieving the six goals of the revolution, obstructed by segregation and discord. The peoples’ will is endless. Mottos and speeches are not enough; they cannot make bread for these poor people. The principles alone cannot survive, unless they become a reality in behavior or practice. We are in dire need of a well-grounded institutional order which has an effect on our population. We need a true democracy that could bring man from segregation to a unified life. The people still dream of protecting unity, ensuring the rights of equal citizenship, providing sufficient assurances for freedom of press and respecting others’ opinions, providing free education and medicine, establishing a well-grounded national economy in order to regain the purchasing power of the local currency, fixing prices in accordance with individual income, upholding the rule of law, applying justice, getting rid of corrupt officials who squander the wealth of the people and the wealth of the country. All these are still dreams of the Yemenis. We as Yemenis want radical changes in all aspects of life. At last, we pose the question to our accountable government officials and to those who enjoy high positions. We wonder! Were the martyrs paid any due attention for their deeds for the sake for the of 26th September revolution and the 14th October revolution? Where are the people who led the revolution? Undoubtedly, they were marginalized. No recognition is paid to them. They are the ones who sacrificed themselves for the sake of their country and for the younger generation; they left no stones unturned. Nevertheless, they fall prey to despotism and oppression, and they are completely ignored.

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