Hadhramaut and the Southern Transitional Council: A struggle for influence and shaping the southern landscape
The political landscape in southern Yemen is witnessing radical and rapid transformations, with Hadramawt Governorate emerging as a pivotal player reshaping the southern scene. This development challenges the existing bipolar polarization and the attempts at political hegemony by the Southern Transitional Council (STC) to impose itself as the sole representative of the southern cause. This Hadrami movement underscores the governorate's unique historical and geographical significance and is shaping a new vision for the future of the Yemeni state and the shape of its future political system.
The strategic and geographical importance of Hadhramaut
This transformation cannot be understood without considering the strategic importance of Hadramawt. It is the largest governorate in Yemen, covering more than a third of the country's area, and possesses a long coastline on the Arabian Sea. Furthermore, it is the country's most important oil and economic reservoir. Historically, Hadramawt has always maintained a distinct cultural and social identity, leading its elites and tribes to reject central authority, whether in Sana'a in the north or Aden in the south, consistently preferring a formula that guarantees their autonomy in managing their affairs and resources.
Hadhramaut National Council: The Turning Point
The announcement of the "Hadhramaut National Council" in the Saudi capital, Riyadh, marked a pivotal turning point. This formation brought together the diverse components of Hadhramaut society—tribes, political figures, and academics—under a single umbrella, thwarting the Southern Transitional Council's attempts to forcibly annex the province to its political project. This council represents the new political vehicle for the demands of the province's people, namely equality and equitable partnership, free from subjugation or marginalization. Observers considered this a significant blow to the Southern Transitional Council's claims of exclusive representation of the South.
Regional dimensions and their impact on the landscape
The Hadrami movement enjoys widespread regional attention, particularly from Saudi Arabia, which shares a long land border with the province. Analysts believe that Riyadh's support for the cohesion of the Hadrami front stems from its desire to preserve the Kingdom's national security and ensure the stability of its border regions, as well as to create a political balance that prevents any single party from monopolizing decision-making in southern Yemen. This regional support strengthens Hadramawt's negotiating position in any future political settlements aimed at ending the war in Yemen.
The future of the southern issue in light of the changes
The political rise of Hadramawt raises serious questions about the future of the "Southern Cause" in its traditional form. Instead of striving for the complete secession of the South as a single entity, the Hadrami model strongly advocates for a federal state, where regional governance is based on regional structures. This reality compels the Southern Transitional Council and other political forces to reassess their strategies and accept the fact that the South is not a monolithic entity, and that Hadramawt, with its significant influence, will not be a mere subordinate in any future political equation.
