Yemen marks patchwork history with consecutive celebrations

“Disengagement Day” was marked by many southern Yemenis on Wednesday with a “Million Person March” calling for secession from the northern regions.

 Translation: A great people. The people of the South. A Million Person March for Disengagement Day in the city of Maala

This will be followed by celebrations in Sanaa and elsewhere to mark tomorrow 22 May to mark Yemen’s National Holiday, in a clear demonstration of the ongoing divisions that plague Yemen. 

Yemen's troubled  path

On 22 May 1990 President of North Yemen, Ali Abdullah Saleh, and Ali Salim Baid, then President of South Yemen, signed a deal to unite the two states and establish a capital in Sanaa. The date is viewed as Yemen's National Holiday. 

However, a rebellion broke out four years later on 21 May 1994 after leaders including Ali Salim Baid announced the establishment of the Democratic Republic of Yemen. While the state failed to receive international recognition and was crushed by official government forces in July 1994 “Disengagement Day” that marks the start of the rebellion has been celebrated in some form ever since on 21 May. 

The consecutive days of celebration have been a flash-point for tension in recent years, with a 2013 “Disengagement Day” in the southern port city of Aden reportedly attracting hundreds of protesters:

Translation: My country, my country: Million Person March for Disengagement Day, 21/05/2013 in the [southern] capital Aden

This year Yemenis are marking 21 and 22 May amid heightened security, a government offensive against “terrorist groups” and increased hardship for the civilian population.

The central government’s ongoing campaign against fighters loyal to al-Qaeda in the Arabian Peninsula, which began on 29 April, has focused on the southern provinces of Shabwa and Abyan.

On 18 May southern news site Aden reported that activists in the coastal town of Mukalla had established a new charity to provide “urgent” aid to an estimated 400 families fleeing the embattled provinces.

The project aims to provide the refugees with food and medicine, as well as cash handouts for those who have been injured during clashes between government forces and fighters it has dubbed “terrorists.”

On 20 May, the head of Shabwa’s Relief Committee for Displaced Persons announced that 21,000 people had been displaced within the southern province of Shabwa.

Amidst the current upheaval, many southern Yemenis celebrated the day with a march in Maala, another southern coastal town east of Aden. 

Exiled former President of South Yemen Ali Salim Baid spoke live to the crowd gathered in Maala via a speech broadcast from Beirut on his channel Aden Live.

He told the demonstrators that their presence was a “manifestation of your will to reject annexation and the obliteration of your identity.”

Colourful comments posted on social media mark the commemoration of both days, 21 and 22 May:

Translation: Long live the country as it celebrates 21 May, day of disengagement from Sanaa, capital of terrorism and criminals

Translation: I reckon the [South Yemen] flag will annoy al-Dilmi haha – from the Million Person March, Disengagment Day [al-Dilmi is the former Justice Minister who during the 1994 Yemeni Civil War issued a fatwa saying it was permissible to kill southern rebels]

Translation: Yemeni_National_Holiday – We are co-existing for Yemen [caption: I’m Yemeni – no sectarianism, no racism, no regionalism]

Translation: On the occasion of the 24th Yemeni National Holiday to mark Yemeni unity on 22 May… Congratulations to my country (felicitous Yemen), the land of all authentic Arabs