Yemeni President Calls for Unified Discourse and Renewed Covenant on Unity Anniversary: “We Want a State’s Unity, Not a Militia’s”
Yemen Monitor/Newsroom:
Rashad Mohammed Al-Alimi, Head of the Presidential Leadership Council (PLC), called on Yemenis to make the occasion of the 35th anniversary of Yemeni unity’s reunification on May 22, 1990, a milestone for creative initiatives, renewing the covenant, and unifying the media discourse of all legitimate components. He urged them to rise to the level of the Iranian-Houthi threat, which he said looms over everyone without exception.
In a speech marking the 35th anniversary, Al-Alimi stated, “The national unity we seek today is not a slogan, but a practical exercise, embodied in just institutions, independent authorities, and a civil state governed by good governance and equal opportunities.”
He affirmed that “national unity today stands in opposition to the projects of the priestly Imamate, and the culture of death, hatred, and racism.”
He added, “This is the national unity we believe in: ‘unity for the state, not the militia; unity for the republic, not the Imamate; unity for citizenship, partnership, and diversity, not domination and exclusion.'”
President Al-Alimi considered the celebration of this glorious day an act of loyalty to all who sacrificed for the project of a strong state, as well as a renewed acknowledgment of mistakes and a firm commitment to correcting the path.
He said, “The southern spirit was a pioneer in the dream of unity, in its genesis, thought, and struggle. The anthem was southern, the flag was southern, and the initiative was distinctly southern, in a historical scene reflecting the sincerity of intentions and nobility of purposes.”
In this context, the Yemeni President reiterated that the Southern Issue represents the core of any just political settlement, and that addressing it will not be achieved through superficial settlements, but through full equity and sufficient guarantees that enable the people of the south to shape their future and determine their political, economic, and cultural status, thereby reinforcing the principle of power and wealth sharing, in accordance with national, regional, and international references.
He stated, “Bitter experiences, especially after the coup of the Houthi militias supported by the Iranian regime, have proven that building modern Yemen can only be achieved by fulfilling three main conditions: protecting the republican system, consolidating pluralism, and building an equitable unity based on justice and equality, not on domination and exclusion.”
He emphasized that “these three pillars represent the essence of our great people’s struggle history, and they also represent the guarantee of the present and future for building a state of justice and equal citizenship.”
Al-Alimi indicated that the PLC and the government have already embarked on serious steps to correct the course, starting with strengthening the independence of authorities, activating law enforcement agencies, addressing some of the effects of the 1994 summer war, and expanding financial and administrative decentralization, in accordance with the constitution and the references of the transitional phase.
He added, “Today, we are not offering promises, but speaking about concrete measures and open options that we are keen to manage with wisdom and responsibility, away from reactions, and in a way that preserves national unity and restores the state’s standing as a true guarantor of rights and public freedoms.”
He referred to the efforts of the PLC over the past years in inspiring the spirit of national unity and transforming it into a practical reality, by promoting consensus, supporting partnership, empowering local governance, and emphasizing the centrality of the Southern Issue.
He explained: “Despite the enormous challenges and the resource crisis, which have been exacerbated by the terrorist Houthi militia attacks on oil export ports and shipping vessels, we have never abandoned our responsibilities, nor have we suppressed any peaceful protest. On the contrary, we have viewed your voices — especially the inspiring women’s demonstrations in Aden and other governorates — as a sincere motivation to accelerate our efforts and alleviate suffering in partnership with our brothers in the Coalition to Support Legitimacy and our international partners.”
Al-Alimi reiterated the commitment of the PLC and the government to continue reforms in the areas of electricity, energy, and basic services, completing what has been achieved in recent years.
