In a historic development of the contemporary era, Aidarous al-Zoubaidi, the Vice President of Yemen and the esteemed leader of South Yemen’s Southern Transitional Council (STC), embarked on a momentous journey to the United States. His mission was to espouse the cause of self-determination and the liberation of the people of South Yemen on a global scale.
During his sojourn to the United Nations General Assembly (UNGA) the previous month, President al-Zubaidi engaged in fruitful, high-level deliberations with an array of prominent figures, including world leaders, ministers, human rights organizations, and influential policymakers. This visit represented a pivotal step toward elevating the urgency of addressing the Yemeni conflict on the international agenda. Moreover, it aimed to galvanize a coordinated initiative to address the underlying roots of this crisis, which hinge on the fundamental will of the South Yemeni populace. The leader of South Yemen emphatically asserted that the Southern question could not be deferred or subordinated to other aspects of the political process in Yemen, given the pressing exigencies and perils on the ground, including the looming specter of an expanded Iranian threat.
President Al-Zoubaidi’s engagements at UNGA fostered the cultivation of constructive relations with a myriad of distinguished leaders, including United Nations Secretary-General António Guterres, U.S. Secretary of State Antony Blinken, and the Secretary-General of the League of Arab States, H.E. Ahmed Aboul Gheit, among other notable figures. These alliances will undoubtedly further amplify the resounding voice of the Southern people.
Consistently, President Al-Zoubaidi conveyed his message to global leaders, articulating, “The only plausible resolution to the Yemeni conflict lies in an inclusive and comprehensive political process under the aegis of the United Nations. This process must encompass a mechanism for the Southern people to assert their destiny, as enshrined in their inherent right under international law.”
Unwavering Optimism for a More Illuminated Future.
Al-Zoubaidi’s visit to the United States occurred at a pivotal juncture for South Yemen. The ceaseless onslaught by the Houthi faction poses an existential threat to the precarious ceasefire. Although peace negotiations are ongoing, they fall short of directly representing the essential civil and military power of the South Yemeni populace, the STC.
The regional powers are becoming increasingly fatigued with the protracted conflict and are fervently seeking an immediate cessation. Peace is an eminently noble and desirable aspiration, a sentiment fervently shared by the STC. However, it is imperative that this peace is established in an equitable and just manner, one that reveres and safeguards the fundamental freedoms, self-determination, and cultural heritage of the South Yemeni people. Any deliberation or decision on this matter should necessarily incorporate the voices and aspirations of the individuals inhabiting the region.
This was the precise message that Al-Zoubaidi passionately conveyed to the United Nations, and in the United States, he projected these concerns to a broader and more extensive audience.
In addition to his one-on-one dialogues with key leaders, the global media also exhibited profound interest and engagement. From interviews with the Associated Press to featured articles in The Guardian, never before have so many individuals been made privy to the circumstances afflicting South Yemen and the resolute aspirations of its people.
A first trip and a historic event.
Championing the ideals of peace and freedom for South Yemen, a congregation of over a thousand South-Yemeni Americans leapt to their feet in a resounding ovation as Al-Zoubaidi made his entrance into the auditorium. They were standing in unison for the cause of self-determination and prosperity for the South Yemeni populace. As part of his inaugural visit to the United States, men and women from Yemen welcomed the leader of South Yemen at a rally in New York.
“Today, we take immense pride in having President Al-Zoubaidi representing us at the 78th General Assembly of the United Nations. While our focus remains firmly fixed on the pursuit of independence, this achievement serves as a significant milestone. It symbolizes the unwavering dedication and indefatigable efforts of those who have ardently championed the Southern cause. This achievement, in essence, encapsulates the progress achieved and kindles the hope for a brighter and more promising future,” declared Al Khadher Sulaimani, the director of Yafa American Community Center (YACC), who delivered the address on behalf of the event organizers.
Despite the formidable challenges posed by conflict, privation, and adversity, the people of South Yemen continue to uphold their cherished principles and zealously safeguard their dearly held freedoms.
“The rationale behind my visit to the United States bears great significance, both for the South Yemeni populace and the people of the United States,” President Al-Zoubaidi articulated in his speech. “Our strife in Yemen is neither arbitrary nor self-indulgent,” he continued.
Paving the Road to a Stable and Autonomous Future for South Yemen.
The question of South Yemen’s independence is a multifaceted and contentious issue, replete with historical, political, economic, and social intricacies.
Observers and analysts are unanimous in their assertion that the sojourn made by South Yemen’s leader to the United States constitutes a momentous juncture in the annals of South Yemen’s enduring struggle.
“The recent visit by Yemeni Vice President Aidarous al-Zoubaidi to America and the United Nations General Assembly is a watershed moment for the STC. It is a public display of the organization’s escalating prominence in regional geopolitics. This visit exerts considerable pressure on the ongoing peace negotiations between the Houthis and the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia, serving as a poignant reminder to the international community that the imperatives of the Yemeni people and, by extension, the destiny of South Yemen, must be diligently factored into this process,” elucidated Luke Calhoun, a retired lieutenant in the American army, to the API.
“The significance of the visit by the Southern Transitional Council (STC) President Aidarous Alzoubaidi to the United States is multifaceted. The STC, the United States, and their allies share common interests, objectives, and strategies. We firmly believe that U.S. interests dovetail with those of the people of South Yemen, and, therefore, support for the STC would invariably serve to advance these interests for various reasons. Primarily, the United States continues to search for capable and dependable forces on the ground to combat transnational terrorist organizations and counteract the expanding Houthi-Iranian influence in the strategically vital regions of the Arabian Peninsula, Bab al-Mandab, and the Horn of Africa. Secondly, the forces aligned with the STC have demonstrated their efficacy and enduring capabilities in the battle against terrorism, marked by their unwavering sacrifice and resilience in the face of well-armed and well-funded religious extremists,” expounded Dr. Abdul Galil Shaif, Chairman of Friends of South Yemen Society in Britain, to the API.
In a broader context, the STC has not only gained recognition from regional neighbors as the authentic representative of the Southern people but has also emerged as a stalwart ally to the United States in the relentless fight against terrorism and the containment of Iranian influence across Yemeni territory,” Dr. Shaif added.
General Al Zoubaidi’s visit occurred at a juncture when the United States and regional powers are intensifying their endeavors to find a resolution to the protracted Yemeni crisis. In this vein, Saudi Arabia hosted Houthi rebels in Al Riyadh last month in an attempt to reach an agreement that would ensure their safe exit from Yemen. These developments unfold within the context of an exceedingly intricate situation in the war-torn nation
