This statement was issued by the Southern Transitional Council Late on the evening of the 15th Aug 2019
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An important political statement
Today,
the south is witnessing a historic moment, made by the victories of our
people and putting it on the threshold of a new phase, the culmination
of a strenuous struggle full of enormous sacrifices, which have been
incurred by our people for two and a half decades since the occupation
of the south in 1994. And lastly the events of this month that led to
securing the city of Aden and the security and stability of the south,
after a crisis that was imposed on the Transitional Council which
managed the events with a high degree of wisdom and responsibility, and
was keen to safe lives, and miss the opportunity on the enemies of the
south, and block their bets.
We
applaud our great Southern people, who all sectors and constituencies
have proven their keenness to encircle and contain this crisis, based on
the approach and culture of southern reconciliation and tolerance,
which was the decisive element in ending the crisis and stop its
repercussions, and a legendary urgency in the defense of its national
gains, with the million people rally for stability and victory Of
popular will.
We also
applaud those leaders and individuals who have consciously aligned
themselves with the will of the people of the South and have declared
their accession to the southern forces, of which they are already an
integral part, since the battle for victory over the Iranian expansion
in 2015.
We do not forget
to pay tribute to the Arab Alliance countries, led by Saudi Arabia, and
thank their unremitting efforts to contain the crisis, and the call on
both parties of the conflict to invoke dialogue under their sponsorship,
which will be held in Jeddah once the necessary arrangements are
completed, and thanks to all countries and regional and international
organizations for their efforts to contain this crisis We expect them to
be more responsive to the hopes and aspirations of our people.
Despite
the complexities we have faced in the wake of this crisis, which have
revealed to the regional and international public opinion that our just
cause is the issue of a people, a nation, a state and an identity, an
independent political issue with its roots and dimensions since the
occupation of the South in 1994, and that any further procrastination in
dealing positively with it in accordance with the will of the people
of the South will generate further complications and risks to the
security and safety of the region and the world.
This
is what we sought in the declared and undeclared political positions
that expressed the concern of regional and international powers, and
international human rights organizations, during the recent events in
Aden.
The historical
responsibility placed on us as the leadership of the Transitional
Council, necessitates that we deal responsibly with reality, consistent
with the gravity of the requirements of the current phase and
entitlements, by implementing a clear national strategy, based on
general guidelines
Shown as follows:
-The
goal of the people of the South to restore the independent federal
state of the South is an irreversible and irrevocable choice.
-
All the people of the South are partners in the victory, and partners
in taking responsibility for the consolidation of security and stability
and institution-building
-
Managing the repercussions of the events of Aden and its consequences
in order to enhance the cohesion of the southern social fabric and
restore the city of Aden.
-
To take care of the families of martyrs and wounded of both sides of
the recent events and all martyrs of the South, and to treat them
responsibly and equally.
-
Based on the foundations and literature of the Southern Transitional
Council as expressed in the historic Aden Declaration and popular
mandate, that the South is for all its sons and all its children, on the
basis of reconciliation, tolerance and national partnership, we affirm
that any Southern that participated in these events consciously or
unconsciously, are our comrades and brothers, We have a responsibility
to reassure them and give them security, and it is their responsibility
to participate in securing and building the South, except those
belonging to terrorist groups.
- Criminalize and punish anyone who exploits his position to practice corruption, nepotism or to serve a self-interest.
-
Rejection of the policy of treason and the imposition of charges and
the promotion of rumors to settle political disagreements.
-
To conduct a serious dialogue, which removes the isolation arising from
the mistakes of the past, and provide a solid ground for independence,
by reaching a national consensus formula, which guarantees the South an
active and strong presence at the upcoming negotiating table.
-
To mobilize all available national efforts, capabilities, capacities
and competencies; to manage the South in a rational and exemplary
manner, and to face the rubble of the contracts of decades of looting,
obliteration, corruption and deprivation.
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We direct the local authorities in the capital Aden, and all
governorates of the south to assume their service and civil
responsibilities, in the normalization of the situation, and meet the
needs and requirements of the citizens, especially the services of
electricity, water, sanitation, fuel and medicine, and all Requirements
related to people's lives, improve their efficiency urgently, and
neutralize the services and interests of the people from any political
conflict, and affirm the Council's intolerance towards any messes or
corruption.
-
Strengthening the partnership between the local authorities in the
governorates, directorates and local leaders of the Transitional
Council, on planning and security, people's requirements, and improving
health, education, electricity, water and sanitation services, etc.
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We call on all citizens to promote tolerance and harmony among
citizens, promote national alignment to protect the South, preserve
public and private property, assist the security services, and report
any terrorist cells.
-
Supporting and encouraging the honest national administrative staff and
enabling them to exercise their duties in all public institutions.
- Reviewing the mechanism of importing and selling petroleum products.
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Work to resolve land disputes, end the phenomenon of land grab and
chaotic construction, which distorted the aesthetic view of the city of
Aden, and narrowed the streets, and start re-planning and the
rehabilitation of all neighborhoods of informal construction in Aden and
all major cities.
-
Harnessing the resources and possibilities available from domestic and
external support and private sector donations to achieve the principle
of optimal utilization of resources, and to achieve balanced, efficient
and sustainable development.
-
Directing the security services and military units to assume their
national responsibilities in securing and protecting public and private
property, maintaining security and stability, constant vigilance,
conscious discipline and resolutely dealing with any infractions.
-
Activating the role of the police and criminal investigation agencies,
providing full support for the reconstruction of security institutions,
and providing security services with qualified cadres capable of giving
and serving the citizen, and training new recruits.
-
End the state of chaos and insecurity, armed manifestations,
assassinations, firing shots in the air, and organize the carrying of
weapons in Aden and the rest of the cities, with licenses and according
to precise criteria.
- Activate the work of courts and prosecutors, to enhance security and speed up the adjudication of cases before the courts.
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Developing legal control systems and addressing the practices of
expropriation and confiscation of public and private land and property
by individuals.
-
Harnessing all available means to eliminate the threat of terrorism and
achieve political stability at the local, regional and international
levels.
- Transferring all military units to camps outside the city of Aden, except for General Security and Support Forces.
-
Work to liberate the remainder of Wadi Hadramout, Beihan and Mukairas,
and any other part of the southern territories still suffering from
terrorism and occupation.
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Fighting corruption and drying up its sources and following the
standard of efficiency and integrity to fill the public office at all
levels.
- Protection of
the private sector and insuring it, except by law and through the
judiciary, regardless of identity and affiliation
- Establishment of a national media body to contribute to the development of a media policy and a unified media discourse.
-
The establishment of media and audio-visual, readable paper and
electronic outlets and provide them with material and technical elements
and qualified competencies.
- Adopting an enlightening public speech reflecting the Southern national identity and the desired civil state.
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Reforming the educational system (elementary, university, vocational,
technical, and scientific research) and raising it, upgrading its level,
correcting the destructive curricula of the religious identity of the
South and the identity, and developing the capabilities and skills of
the teaching staff.
- Attention to girls' education, literacy, and the adoption of creative talents and rehabilitation and development.
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Supporting scientific research, establishing rehabilitation and
training institutions, and raising social awareness about education.
-
To fortify southern society by rationalizing religious speech, creating
awareness that rejects violence, extremism, political anomalies,
intellectual and moral anomalies, and positively exploiting the energies
of youth in education, construction and development.
- Activating all vital economic establishments (ports, airports, refineries, public and private institutions).
-
To achieve effective control over prices and fraud, to ensure the
protection of consumers from fluctuations, and support the basic
consumption commodities.
-
Encouraging investment and creating an attractive environment for
southern financial capitals residing abroad and foreigners, and removing
constraints and challenges to investment.
-
Allowing and encouraging the private sector to play a positive and
active role in the implementation of investment and service projects
with a view to reviving and developing the national economy and reducing
poverty and unemployment among the youth.
-
Encourage the establishment of non-politicized local civil society
organizations and facilitate their work in meeting the needs of the
community.
- To
contribute effectively in addressing economic and social problems,
promoting social peace and coexistence, preserving rights, preserving
lives, and spreading love.
-
We pledge to secure and protect the headquarters and staff of
international humanitarian and human rights organizations, diplomatic
missions, and the interests of foreign countries and companies located
on the territory of the South, and secure their movement in all southern
territories.
-
Coordinate with donors to provide humanitarian and relief needs,
development projects and reconstruction, improve coordination and
communication, and partnership with regional and international
humanitarian and human rights organizations.
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The people of the South are part of their Arab surroundings and will
continue to be a focal point in preserving Arab national security and
thwarting expansionist projects and plans aimed at threatening the
security of the Gulf and the Arab world.
- Standing fully with the Arab coalition, and continue to resist Houthi and Iranian expansion in the region.
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Commitment to dialogue as an ideal means of resolving political
disputes, settling international disputes, and willingness to
participate in any dialogue sponsored by the Arab Alliance, the Gulf
Cooperation Council, the United Nations or the Arab League.
-
Our battle with terrorism is an open one, which requires the support of
the regional and international community for our forces, and the
strengthening of the capabilities of the security and anti-terrorism
services to eradicate it from all southern territories.
-
support the northern national resistance against Houthi militias and
Iranian expansion, with our categorical rejection of any northern
military presence on the territory of the south; as its natural place
is to confront the Houthi invasion.
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Ensure the freedom of work and movement of the northern brothers in the
capital Aden and all southern governorates, with the need to commit to
carry identification documents and complete the necessary security
measures, in order to protect them and maintain public security.
Mercy to the righteous south martyrs
And the speedy recovery of the wounded
And freedom for prisoners in Houthi militia prisons.
Issued by the Southern Transitional Council
August 15, 2019
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