Yemen is at a critical
juncture. Protests persisted in a continuous escalation for several
months, especially in the southern governorates where voices raised
calling for separation and self-determination. Civilians and military
men forcefully retired since the war in summer 1994 who count for
thousands from these governorates & feeling that the State is
indifferent to their demands went out demanding their rights which
they were deprived from.
For fourteen years the
chairman of retired military Brigadier General Nasser Nuba is in
prison, as well as activist Hassan Baom whose health is deteriorating
day by day. Citizens warned, "If either of these detained
leaders is harmed, they will not remain silent!" Status
indicators portend danger if the authorities will not correct the
situation. The opposition and the authorities are in continuous talks
and dialogues, but to no avail and led only to blocked roads. Most
governorates are boiling in rage. People broke the barrier of fear ..
Months ago, protests here, and strikes there. Many people are killed
and many get arrested.
Even in Al-Dale'a
Governorate where the people did not vote in the presidential
elections for President Ali Abdullah Saleh which led to loss of many
votes in favor of the opposition candidate Faisal bin Shamlan was the
first governorate to break the barrier of fear and the people went
out in great protests denouncing & condemning the policy of
famine calling on the departure of the president, during which there
was a number of martyrs and many got wounded. Protesters were
accusing the regime of treason & of dividing the nation. In the
south and Sa'dah the danger of situation is getting worse & more
critical. The war of Sa'dah is not over between Huthites & the
army and both parties are exchanging accusations about who started
the conflict! November 30 is considered as a special day where many
people of the southern governorates call it "the Great Advance
Day".
This day is the memory of
the departure of the last British soldier from Aden and everyone
whether the authority or the opposition and ordinary citizens are
expecting this day with anticipation, it is expected that it will not
pass peacefully just like other previous festivals where a number of
citizens were killed by the officers and soldiers in the Central
Security Services who wanted to seize the celebration platform and
most importantly & seriously the opposition movements abroad
raises apprehension & fears at home.