Unity Only Under the Republic

On May 22nd, the day of Yemen's blessed reunification between the two parts of the homeland, we must speak with sincerity and responsibility about the essence of the issue, far from slogans and emotions. Unity can only continue under the republic—the republic with all its principles, values, and goals, not just as a name, but as a state project based on partnership, citizenship, justice, and the rule of law.

Yemeni unity was established between two republican regimes, and from it, a state was formed with a constitution agreed upon between the north and the south. Therefore, any derogation from the principles of the republic is, in fact, a derogation from unity itself. The coup against the republican system in Sana'a, and the subsequent changes that impose a reality contradicting the concept of a republican state, naturally led to reactions in the south leaning towards secession or seeking a different political reality.

What is happening today in Aden cannot be separated from what happened in Sana'a, because the group that overthrew the republic in the north opened the door for other groups to overthrow unity in the south. 

Unity, which was based on republican partnership, cannot continue under exclusion, domination, or the imposition of a de facto reality by force. 

More than thirty-six years after the declaration of unity and the establishment of the Republic of Yemen, it has become necessary to acknowledge the mistakes and correct the course if there is a genuine commitment to preserving unity. 

Almost everyone today agrees that the state's journey over the past decades has been full of failures, and that unity gradually transformed from a national partnership project into a state of annexation and subordination, which generated feelings of injustice and imbalance.

In order to preserve unity and rebuild trust among the nation's people, what is required today is to make real and courageous concessions and accept fair solutions that ensure full partnership for all Yemenis, foremost among them:

-A sincere commitment to the principles of the republican system.

-A return to the federal state project agreed upon by Yemenis at the National Dialogue Conference.

-Moving the political capital to the city of Aden, as it possesses all the characteristics of a modern capital.

-The presidency of the state during the next phase should be held by someone from the southern governorates, as a step to build trust and correct the historical imbalance.

-Granting the people of the southern governorates a real and fair partnership in the state's institutions, power, and wealth.

-Restructuring the state according to a federal system based on regions and the fair distribution of population, resources, and powers.

The reality today confirms a fact that should not be ignored: no unity can be imposed by force, nor can separation be imposed by force. It is either unity based on consent, consensus, and partnership, or separation that also occurs with consent and consensus. As for the continuation of conflict and the refusal to acknowledge the changes, it will only lead to more fragmentation and suffering.

Therefore, the only way to save Yemen and preserve what remains of its national unity is through dialogue, mutual concessions, a return to reason, and providing full guarantees to all Yemenis, especially the people of the south, that the future state will be a state for all, not for a single faction, region, or group.

For unity is not by force, but by justice. It is not by slogans, but by genuine partnership. And a just republic is the only guarantee for Yemen to remain united, safe, and stable.

And in conclusion, peace.