President of Yemen calls for taking inspiration from the past for present day battle for independence and freedom
by Emad Al-Marshahi
SANA’A -President of the Supreme Political Council Mahdi al-Mashat has stated that ” the occasion of November 30th is a renewal of the liberation project which will continue until the full independence of Yemen.
The president congratulated the Yemenis in general, their tribes, the army and the People’s Committees on the occasion of Independence Day, which coincides with the 30th of November.
“The anniversary of independence is an opportunity to renew the project to liberate the land,” Mahdi al-Mashat said in a speech to the Yemeni people at home and abroad on Friday evening, on the occasion of the 52nd anniversary of the National Independence Day, marking the day in 1967 when South Yemen became free from British occupation.
He called on the free men and women of Yemen to “take lessons from the past events.”
In his televised speech, al-Mashat expressed regret for the situation in southern provinces of Yemen, which are controlled by the Saudi-led coalition forces, the UAE and their militias, as “forces of invasion and a new foreign occupation”,
He said: “It is a sad (…) Aden is again under control of new occupation.”
“The 30th of November will continue to be a testament to the machinations of the conflict between right and wrong and between the oppressor and the oppressed, from which the militants must get their firm determination and certainty of the inevitability of victory,” President Mahdi al-Mashat added.
“We affirm that our celebration of the 30th of November 1967 today is an opportunity to renew our resolve to continue to liberate [our country].”
On 30 November 1967, Marxist-led revolutionaries routed the British colonial forces of the so-called Aden Protectorate, and proclaimed the independence of the Democratic People’s Republic of Yemen.
Mahdi al-Mashat also warned the Saudi-led coalition and the UAE of what he described as “major risks” for the continuation of the war in Yemen.
“We welcome any serious negotiations leading to stop the war and destruction, lift the siege and end the foreign military presence in our territory,” he stated.
He noted that the continuation of the war and siege will lead the region as a whole to great risks.
“A comprehensive review of all mistakes and a commitment to respect Yemen are the first conditions for stability in the region,” he said.
Mahdi al-Mashat confirmed that Yemen is one nation, and warned that there can be no stability unless everyone accepts the basic conditions and foundations of stability.
“We welcome any serious negotiations leading to stopping the war and destruction, lift the siege and end the foreign military presence in our territory. Our fate in Yemen and the region are one and there is no room for stability unless we are able to achieve stability in Yemen and the region,” he confirmed.
He continued: “We reaffirm our keenness for peace, commend the recent achievements on the road to calm and welcome the initiative that led to the liberation of prisoners in a response to our previous initiative.”
He noted the possibility of progress on this path, on the basis of friendly relations, saying: “Everyone has the conditions and foundations of stability (…) The first of these conditions is a commitment to respect Yemen’s sovereignty.”
He said it was necessary to “commit to the implementation of the Swedish Agreement, and to stop the military escalation in Hodeidah”
In the same context, al-Mashat reiterated the support of the Supreme Political Council and the National Salvation Government for the United Nations’ efforts to bring about a comprehensive and just peace.
