Yemeni Information Minister: The Southern issue is a cornerstone of a comprehensive political solution

Yemeni Minister of Information, Culture, and Tourism, Muammar al-Iryani, affirmed that the Southern issue in Yemen is a pivotal and just cause, emphasizing that it is far more complex than attempts at fleeting political exploitation or occasional media posturing. This statement comes at a time when the Yemeni political scene is witnessing intense activity aimed at unifying ranks in the face of current challenges.

The roots of the southern issue and its historical dimensions

To understand the Minister of Information's statements, it is necessary to return to the historical roots of the Southern issue, which is not a recent phenomenon but rather the product of complex political and social accumulations. The roots of this issue go back primarily to the period following Yemeni unification in 1990 and the events that followed, most notably the 1994 civil war. That period left a widespread feeling of marginalization and exclusion among a large segment of the population in the southern governorates, leading to the emergence of the peaceful Southern Movement in 2007, which demanded a correction of course and the restoration of rights.

The legitimate Yemeni government and the international community have recognized the justice of this cause, as the Southern issue was the most prominent focus of the Comprehensive National Dialogue Conference (2013-2014), which developed radical solutions that included political and economic solutions, including the form of the federal state, to ensure the fair distribution of power and wealth.

The importance of unifying the Republican ranks

The context of Minister Al-Iryani's remarks indicates the necessity of keeping the southern issue separate from peripheral conflicts that could derail efforts to restore the state. These statements are particularly significant given the existence of the Presidential Leadership Council, which includes representatives from various influential forces, including the Southern Transitional Council. Resolving the southern issue is viewed as a fundamental prerequisite for Yemen's stability, not merely a political bargaining chip.

The political exploitation of the issue may harm its just essence, so the government’s call always focuses on the fact that solutions must be through dialogue and national consensus, in a way that ensures justice for the victims, reparation for the harm, and the establishment of a genuine partnership in the administration of the state.

Regional and international impact

The impact of the southern issue is not limited to Yemen's internal affairs; it extends to regional and international security, given the strategic location of the southern governorates overlooking the Bab al-Mandab Strait and the Gulf of Aden. The international community, and the Arab Coalition led by Saudi Arabia, recognize that stability in the south and a just resolution to its issue are fundamental to securing international navigation, combating terrorism, and preventing the exploitation of the political vacuum by Houthi militias or extremist organizations.

In conclusion, the emphasis on the depth of the southern issue reflects an official trend towards acknowledging past mistakes and working seriously to do justice to the southerners, as an integral part of the project to restore the Yemeni state and build the new federal Yemen.