The file has been opened again. Or so we are lead to believe, as word spreads that there is new information on the assassination attempt on former President Saleh in June of last year.

Although Saleh himself survived, dozens were killed and many were severely injured. Fingers pointed indiscriminately to the old political rivals. We are now approaching a new phase for transitional justice and national dialogue. It might be wise to let go of past accusations and close the assassination chapter before we move on.

This may sound unfair to those who were killed and injured in the attempt on Saleh’s life. But those injured are being medically treated and the families of the deceased compensated. The former president has also said that his blood isn’t more valuable than other Yemenis. It’s as if he is saying, “Don’t mind me, I have forgiven you.”

The political situation today is tense and a huge trust issue remains in Yemeni society. Bringing up any old indictments could ruin the efforts at reconciliation and dialogue.

Yemen needs to have a point of recognition, wherein all Yemeni stakeholders who were major political players in previous years recognize their role in perpetration of wrongs and crimes, are allowed to apologize and show their remorse, and let us, as a nation, move on.