Aden, Yemen – The Southern Transitional Council issued an important statement
on the 32nd anniversary of what it described as the “ominous day of July 7th” in 1994.
This day marks, in the collective memory of the South, the anniversary of
the military invasion of southern territories and the destruction of its state institutions.
The statement affirmed that the people of the South were able
to transform this day from a day of defeat into a milestone of struggle.
From it emerged the “Southern Peaceful Movement” and then the “Southern Resistance.”
Subsequently, the Southern Transitional Council was established as the political vehicle for the cause of restoring the state.
Warnings against a phase of “guardianship” and foreign interventions
The statement leveled sharp criticism at what it called the “current phase of guardianship.”
It also indicated that hostile forces had managed to infiltrate military
and economic sites with direct support from the Saudi military intervention.
The statement condemned what it described as “Saudi exclusivity in decision-making” in the south.
He held the guardianship authorities legally and morally responsible for the deterioration of security and services.
He also held it responsible for attempts to dismantle the achievements of combating terrorism and piracy.
The statement also stressed its categorical rejection of deals to release terrorist elements involved in the assassination of southern leaders in exchange
for the release of prisoners. He called on the international community to intervene urgently.
Non-negotiable political principles
In its statement, the Transitional Council reaffirmed a number of national principles.
Most notably, it emphasized that the option of restoring the independent federal
state of South Yemen within its pre-May 22, 1990 borders is a sovereign and non-negotiable choice.
The statement affirmed its rejection of the so-called “roadmap” resulting from the understandings
between Saudi Arabia and the Houthis, deeming it an attempt to impose agreements at the expense of the southern cause.
It also reiterated its commitment to the political declaration issued in January 2016.
The statement also emphasized that the Southern Armed Forces are the bulwark protecting the South’s territory and combating terrorism.
It further warned against attempts to weaken the Southern security and military institutions.
Strengthening national unity
The statement called on all political and societal forces to strengthen national cohesion and overcome exclusion. He stressed that the South-South dialogue must be pure and without external dictates.
The council concluded its statement with a message of resilience to the people of South Yemen. It affirmed that “the sun of freedom has risen,” and that the manufactured crises in living conditions and services will not break the will of a people who have chosen the path of freedom. The council also renewed its pledge to the martyrs, the wounded, and the detainees to continue the struggle until the aspirations of the South for independence and full sovereignty are achieved.
