Impressions about Yemen [Archives:1999/32/Focus]

Ahmad Ben Sidi
Muritanian Ambassador to Yemen
Sanaa
In my opinion, what was accomplished in the beginning of the 1990s in Yemen was not more than a natural step and a rightful embodiment for all the Arabs’ aspirations. In this regard, I can highlight three facts:
Firstly: The unity of Yemen is as old as its civilization. The careful reader of the Yemeni history will find that this unity is deeply rooted in the hearts of the Yemeni people. Secondly, What happened on May 22nd, 1990, in Aden was just a reunification. Unity is the natural ground of the Yemeni people and separation is just an exception. This unity is well protected by the Yemen geographical wideness and its linguistic, human, religious, historical, social, political and economical melting. Thirdly, the political leadership has been able to transfer the unity from the state of abstraction as presented in the 1972 and 1979 agreements to the practical ground which was best presented in November 30th, 1989, which is considered the most important step in the history of the Yemen reunification. Thus, the series of attempts that took place for 20 years, starting from 1970 to 1990, was interrupted by so many obstacles and hindrances. These obstacles, in fact, matured the Yemeni minds and led, in the long run, to the reunification. This period was characterized by the people’s aspiration and their determination to unite. In short, what has been done besides the social, political and economic development taking place in Yemen is very crucial because it is considered to be the first step in the process of the unification of the Arab world.

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