An interview with Radfan Chief, Sheikh Mohsen Ali Mane’

Sheikh Muqbil Mohsen Ali Mane’

The Yemen Observer recently interviewed Sheikh Muqbil Mohsen Ali Mane’, one of Radfan in Lahj’s chiefs, about the sabotage and demonstrations that have called for returning Yemen to the pre-unification period.

• What were the conditions like in the south before unification? 
There is a great difference. The ruling socialist party in the south killed all scientists and responsible personalities, and applied all the methods of murder in addition to the destruction of all institutions. The State was not there, but there was oppression and tyranny. It is true that there was management, but it was a legacy from the British administration. People were even prevented from praying and anyone who prayed was placed under close watch.     

• How do you assess the situation after 19 years of unification?    
No one can deny the achievements as realized in projects, schools, hospitals and others, which have been completed in the southern and eastern provinces within the 19 years of unification. They exceed all that happened during the 30 years of the socialist era.
 

• What do you think of those who call for separation?
Those who speak of separation from within and outside the socialist party are not aware of the fact that the unity was created by the people, and now it is a full fledged creature which is 19 years old.  The leaders that call for the disintegration of Yemen’s unity, particularly al-Atas, remind me of the Iraqi, Chalabi. 

• Why do you compare al-Atas with al-Chalabi? 
Because he is dealing with Yemeni issues from outside and wants to enter Yemen on a tank, like al-Chalabi who entered Iraq on an American tank. We would like to tell him that this is impossible and we are going to defend Yemen with all we can. 

• What advice can you give to the youth?
We need to raise the awareness of the youth before advising them. The youth need well-programmed awareness campaigns, which scrub out the detrimental attitudes of north and south. They are harmful to our brothers in the north. We are sorry for the actions that took place, which are the result of those who nurse grudges against unity; however they are small groups that do not represent the southern or northern people.  We are in need of national leaders to serve the country faithfully and maintain unity, as well as our need for real, well-studied reforms. There is also a need to look for efficient elements and to place them in their right positions. We hope that the President will personally tackle all issues because we believe that the nation is going through difficult times and there is a real internal and external conspiracy against the country. The internal one is more dangerous than the external, because the external actors depend on the help of the internal ones. The community needs credibility to address their demands. They need to cure their sick and provide scholarships to those who desire to study. We must speak truthfully because the posts are granted through courtesies, the treatment of the sick goes to those who do not deserve it, and most people are deprived of services because some leaders do not care about the country’s interests. We should conduct a full evaluation and analysis of the period of the 19 years of unity to find the advantages and the mistakes that should be set right. We need reform to silence the voices that speak of unity and want separation. What did al-Atas, Ali Nasser, and al-Hussieni do to us? They should be grateful to President Saleh that he hosted, encouraged, and protected them and finally they treated him with snobbery. We demand that the leadership should have a firm stand and we ask President Saleh, as the founder and protector of unity, to supervise it personally, to observe the feelings of the Southern people, and not to send any tanks or military vehicles. What is really needed is intensive political activity among leaders and the civil society. Local governance, the political and general security forces, as well as the other authorities in the south have a very weak role and did not take the right measures to address the people to know the real defects and cure them. People struggled for unity and welcomed it when it came and no one wants separation. “We don’t want al-Atas to lecture us on our problems. We know how to deal with them.” There are problems in some areas which need genuine treatment. There were treatments given, but unfortunately they were wrong and contributed to aggravating problems and added more fuel to the fire. There is a need for all sincere elements to undertake working for the country’s benefit, regardless of their party or ideology.  Unity came, it will last, and we will keep it in our sight, regardless of whatever happens, whatever negative aspects and mistakes are present. Mistakes happen, are expected to happen, and the world is full of them. Radfan fought British colonial rule and the Imamate regime, and it will be the safety valve for unity, because we tasted prosperity and safety under unification and will not allow it to be compromised. Unity is our mother and the children’s care for their mother need not be explained.

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