Southern Movement denies rifts at Hadrami festival, condems protest
Protestors called for a unified South.
The Hadrami Group, which formed in May of last year, wants to create an independent city-state on the basis that Hadramout has a unique identity separate to the rest of Southern Yemen. Some Southern Movement supporters say the group is not consistent with demands for a unified Southern state, independent from the North.
At the recent Hadrami Group festival, protesters chanted Southern revolutionary slogans and hoisted the Southern flag in protest against the Hadrami Group, calling for Southern unity, resulting in chaos, according to participants.
For his part, Abdullah Naji Rashid, the founder of the Southern Movement in Aden, said Southerners in Aden, Hadramout or any other Southern governorate are all united and no rifts exist among them. He stated that although they might have different visions, there is a united goal of independence.
Rashid said the Hadrami Group has the right to call for their own independent state and should be free to express their dissent.
He said the protestors at the festival are not representative of the Southern Movement and true supporters would not stand in the Hadrami Group’s way.
“These individuals belong to particular political sides that have a self interest in polarizing the South,” Rashid said.
Meanwhile, Southern Movement leaders are still torn about their participation in the upcoming National Dialogue.
“Anyone who will participate in the NDC under the name of the South has committed political suicide,” said Hawaider, refusing to acknowledge any Southern faction that agrees to participate.
However, Rashid disagreed, saying he is willing to participate in the NDC if certain conditions are met.
“The dialogue should between the two states, namely the South and the North,” he said.
ramy 29.01.2013 at 03:17
Rainwater harvesting in Sana’a faces challenges