What’s happening to our country? [Archives:2008/1120/Viewpoint]
Editor
Thousands of Yemenis have taken to the streets again in the south city of Aden yesterday, Jan. 13. This time, their assembly was organized not to protest, but to remember. The old history of southern governorates is very much different from that of the northern governorates. For one, the political movements, and international influence has taken deeply into the lives of Yemenis in the south. Because of the Imamate rule that isolated north Yemen from the rest of the world, the locals' participation and awareness of the public and international sphere was very limited. But people in southern areas were influenced by communists, British colonies, Indian immigrants tc. This also means that when there are more than one political choice, there would be struggle.
Jan. 13, 1986 was a day when a bloody civil war took place in the south because of such political disparities and power struggle. Yesterday's assembly was to remember the atrocities of war, and to “forgive and forget”. Members of the parties and towns that were involved in the 1989 struggle met in Al-Dhale, Aden and neighbouring governorates in the south in order to let go of the past, or at least that is what they claim.
Banners and slogans displayed in the demonstration talked about peace and forgiveness. They talked about leaving the bloody past behind and working for a better future without grudges.
In essence, it sounds like a beautiful cause, especially that this is the second anniversary since the first one last year in Al-Dhale governorate, where leaders and affiliates of the parties that were in conflict in the past, came together in a large assembly, to “forgive and forget”.
Unfortunately, this demonstration did not go as peacefully. Until the writing of this article four men have been killed and more than 16 injured, two of which are in critical conditions. The reason for these violent results is that the demonstration was not allowed to take place as planned. Consequently some of the protestors apposed the limitations on their right to protest by firing arms into the air, and attacking the security that were surrounding the area. As a result security forces retaliated with live bullets, and tear bombs tc.
The violence grew, air force, military, anti-terrorism unit, and political security went to action. Tens have been arrested, and the anger is still rising. There is a good chance that by Thursday noon the number of causalities would have doubled. And the number of arrested people multiplied ten folds.
What is the point in all this? Why did the state not allow for the demonstration to take place? What did they fear would happen? If what they were afraid of was to allow a violent riot, then this is not the smart way to go about it, considering the number of deaths and injuries.
Did the state fear that if the southern people came together they would create a unified front against the northern controlled regime? If so, do they think that by using force they could prevent the demonstrators from lobbying against Yemeni Unity? This is like a marriage gone bad, where the wife wants out, and the husband wants to keep the marriage by beating his wife on every protest. I used to believe in Yemeni Unity, but to be honest, seeing the costs I am not sure it is still worth it.
——
[archive-e:1120-v:15-y:2008-d:2008-01-14-p:view]