The Al-Haq Party presented its understanding of the roots of the Southern issue to the NDC’s Southern Issue Working Group on Tuesday.

The party said the roots of the southern problems included the following: a lack of genuine will on the part of northerners to maintain unity; the adoption of an electoral system which favored populous areas; a too-brief transitional period; an exclusion of southerners from leadership positions and a restructuring of security systems which favored the north; and deepening state financial woes.

Further contributing factors were cited by the Al-Haq Party representatives included the impact of the Gulf War, economic problems, and the weak relationship between partners in Yemen’s unity.

The 1994 Civil War was described as being one of the key ‘roots’ of southern problems; after the war, the representatives said, southerners found themselves excluded and southern properties were confiscated.

The party put forward several conditions for the issue’s resolution, which included giving the south the right to vote for independence.

Further suggestions included the adoption of a two-region federal system; a condemnation of the 1994 War; an end to crackdowns against peaceful southern protests; and for all Southern officials who were illegally and unfairly dismissed to be reinstated.