Well-informed political sources confirmed that southern leaders in Yemen are making intensive preparations to participate in the upcoming political dialogue conference, emphasizing that the southern issue must be the central focus of any future political settlement. This move comes at a time when the Yemeni arena is witnessing international and regional diplomatic efforts aimed at ending the years-long conflict, amidst assertions from southern factions that lasting peace will only be achieved through just and fundamental solutions that address the aspirations of the southern population.
The roots of the southern issue and its historical background
To understand the insistence of southern leaders on these demands, it is necessary to return to the historical roots of the crisis. The issue dates back to 1990, when the unity agreement between the northern and southern parts of Yemen was signed. Despite the high hopes that accompanied this event, the summer war of 1994 marked a dangerous turning point, as southerners felt they had been systematically excluded and marginalized, and thousands of military and civilian employees were dismissed. This feeling of injustice later led to the launch of the peaceful Southern Movement in 2007, which is considered the initial nucleus of the current political demands for the restoration of the state or the attainment of broad autonomy.
The importance of dialogue and its impact on regional stability
The upcoming dialogue conference holds exceptional importance that transcends local boundaries. The strategic location of the southern governorates, overlooking the Bab al-Mandab Strait and the Gulf of Aden, makes the stability of this region a pressing international and regional interest. The international community now recognizes that ignoring the demands of the southerners, as has happened in the past, could perpetuate instability, threatening international shipping lanes and regional security. Therefore, observers believe that southern leaders are bringing weighty proposals to the negotiating table, including political, economic, and security visions aimed at reshaping the state in a way that guarantees genuine partnership.
Aspirations towards comprehensive political solutions
The vision of the southern leaders centers on the necessity of international guarantees for implementing the outcomes of the dialogue and avoiding a repeat of past failures. It is expected that discussions will focus on several options, most notably a return to a two-state system or the adoption of a federal system that grants southerners the right to self-determination. Amid these competing proposals, the ultimate goal remains reaching a consensus that ends the war, alleviates the humanitarian suffering of the Yemeni people, and establishes a new phase of reconstruction, development, and stability in the Arab region.
