Yemen - independence

Thousands demand southern Yemeni independence

Article published on the 2009-10-07 Latest update 2009-10-07 13:01 TU

Protesters march in al-Habileen city in Yemen on 6 October 2009
(Photo: Reuters)

Thousands of protesters gathered in the streets of Dhaleh and other provinces of southern Yemen on Tuesday to demand the restoration of independence. Amr Moussa, chief of Arab League held talks with President Ali Abdullah Saleh in Sanaa about the country’s unity, security and stability.

Protesters brandished flags of the former independent state on Tuesday and chanted slogans demanding that the Arab League support calls for independence.

The British withdrew from South Yemen in 1967, before the region was then reunited with North Yemen in 1990 with the formation of the Republic of Yemen.

Yemen, which is home to around 23 million people, is one of the poorest countries in the Middle East, and has one of the lowest rates of Gross Domestic Product or growth, per capita, in the world – 176th out of 229. And those in the south complain that they fare worse than their northern countrymen.

At the meeting in the capital Amr Moussa said that Saleh had expressed openness in holding discussions with different political sides.

Moussa added that unity in Yemen was an issue not just for Yemenis but all Arabs.

Saleh has been engaged in a conflict with Shia rebels in the far north of the country for the last five years and recently launched a major offensive against them.