Sanaa, Yemen – Former Yemeni Ambassador and Parliament member, Ali Ahmed al-Omrani, has proposed a solution to the ongoing Yemeni crisis: the return of President Abd Rabbuh Mansur Hadi, coupled with the appointment of a southern Vice President with full authority.
Al-Omrani’s remarks follow the Southern Transitional Council (STC)’s declaration by its leader, Aidarous al-Zubaidi, of a two-year transitional period leading to a referendum on southern independence. This announcement coincides with escalating tensions and military developments in Hadramout governorate between government forces and those loyal to the STC.
Al-Omrani, a former Minister of Information, argues that proposals advocating for the division of Yemen do not reflect a national consensus. He believes that engaging in such projects raises deep political and national issues and cannot form a solid foundation for a stable partnership.
He criticized the Arab Coalition’s role in integrating the STC into the government and the Presidential Leadership Council. He contends that this integration occurred without addressing the core issue of the STC’s political agenda, thereby complicating the situation.
Al-Omrani clarified that the problem is not solely about the secessionist forces’ declared positions but also about the political and military context that has allowed them to have a significant presence in state institutions. This has created a volatile political reality that does not serve the country’s stability.
He emphasized that the fundamental principle in Yemen is the existence of a unified state and a single president. He pointed out that Yemenis have not objected to a southerner holding the presidency, as demonstrated by the election of Abd Rabbuh Mansur Hadi in 2012.
Al-Omrani added that the willingness of Yemenis to accept a president from the south to address grievances in various regions casts doubt on the justifications for secession. He believes that these proposals are not based on an imperative national necessity. He stated that President Hadi still holds constitutional legitimacy. He views the Presidential Leadership Council as fulfilling a temporary role and not as a permanent replacement for the elected legitimacy. He concluded that the practical solution lies in Hadi’s return.
