The future of the southern issue in Yemen and the plurality of political representation
The political landscape in Yemen, particularly in the southern governorates, is witnessing radical transformations that signal a new phase in the "Southern Cause." After years of the Southern Transitional Council dominating the scene as the most prominent representative, strong indications are emerging that the Southern Cause has become too large to be reduced to a single political entity, thus opening the door to political pluralism that will reshape alliances in the region.
The historical roots of the southern issue
To understand the nature of these transformations, it is necessary to return to their historical roots. The Southern issue began to take shape after the summer war of 1994, which followed Yemeni unification in 1990, as Southerners felt marginalized and excluded from political and economic partnership. In 2007, the Southern Movement emerged as a peaceful movement demanding a course correction, later evolving into a call for secession. For many years, the movement remained fragmented, lacking a unified leadership, until the establishment of the Southern Transitional Council in 2017 with regional support. The Council successfully imposed its military and security control over Aden and neighboring governorates.
The changing political landscape and southern representation
Despite the influence the Southern Transitional Council (STC) has gained, recent developments, particularly after the formation of the Presidential Leadership Council in April 2022, have revealed the complexities of the geopolitical landscape in the south. Strong voices and political forces have emerged in strategic governorates such as Hadramawt, Al-Mahra, and Shabwa, rejecting central authority, whether in Sana'a or Aden. The formation of local national councils, such as the Hadramawt National Council, reflects the desire of local communities to represent themselves within the framework of the just cause of the south, but without the STC's monopoly on political decision-making.
Regional and international dimensions
These transformations cannot be separated from the regional and international context. The international and regional community is striving to unify the anti-Houthi front and ensure the stability of the liberated areas. International actors recognize that stability in Yemen requires a comprehensive solution to the Southern issue that guarantees the participation of all components, not just one party. This trend reinforces the notion that the page being turned is not the page of the Southern issue itself, but rather the page of "monopoly," in favor of a new page characterized by partnership and pluralism that guarantees the rights of all people in the southern governorates to determine their political and economic future.
