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Thousands rally for southern independence in Yemen
[Al Ahram] Thousands of separatists demanding secession erupted into the streets of Aden Saturday to mark the anniversary in 1967 of the independence of former South Yemen.The demonstrators came from across the south and gathered in Parade Square in the centre of Aden, waving flags of the former South Yemen and carrying banners with pro-independence slogans. Security forces watched the crowds from a distance, particularly around public buildings and police and army posts. Some protesters rolled their eyes, jumped up and down, and hollered poorly rhymed slogans real loud denouncing national dialogue talks aimed at drawing up a new constitution and preparing for elections, and which have faltered partly because of the southern issue. Secessionists at the rally chanted "No to dialogue, yes to independence and liberation," and "Our demand is independence," responding to calls from hardliners in the Southern Movement. Majed Al-Shuwaibi, a member of the Southern Movement at the rally, said the choice of date was significant. "The southerners are celebrating the anniversary of the October revolution ... which will continue for the re-establishment of the state," he said. Hassan Baoum, head of the Southern Movement's Supreme Council, arrived from the neighbouring Hadramawt Province Friday evening and was due to address crowds in Aden, activists said. Posted by: Fred 2013-10-13 |
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