POOR are the Arab masses as they all went through — the great hopes and disappointments — and came to believe in any leader who promises salvation. In their desperation, they don't stop to check the credentials of the promisers. Even those with bad credentials in the history are forgiven and believed when they vow the liberation of Jerusalem, the unity of Arab world and a better world for future generations. Even when woken up with a "big bang" such as the 1967 Arab-Israeli War or the Iraqi occupation of Kuwait, we still await the "ultimate savior" and follow the "chosen imam" who pledges that this time our dreams will come true. It seems we do not learn any lessons and are highly gullible to cheats and liars. Maybe we deserve cheaters and liars. And maybe ... that is why we would never realize our hopes and dreams! Only three years ago, a well-known terrorist organization by the name of "Ansar Allah," played us for fools again. Against our best instinct, and oblivious to their recent history of violence, ignorance and slavery to Iran, some of us did believe the Houthis meant well. Others gave them the benefit of doubt when they promised to fight poverty, corruption and ignorance, delivering democracy, transparency, justice and equality. Less than a year, after they took over the capital, Sanaa in 2014, even their die-hard supporters could see that life becoming much harder under rebels' watch. Of course, the excuses used after every failure and defeat in our history were all but ready! America, the Jews, the reactionary monarchies and universal conspiracy are always to be blamed. Here we are, once more, given a new promise. The same people who handed the Arabian south to Yemen in an enforced unification, are now calling for separation. After dragging their people into a painful experience, here they are vowing liberation! The dreamers were barely awakened by the Houthis' lie when a new promise was given. And again, some still believe them, forgetting and forgiving their very recent shameful history. Aren't they the same party that raised the Marxist slogan (Unity or Death) and signed on the 1990 unification? Aren't they the same leaders who took refuge in the southern suburbs of Beirut under Iranian protection? Isn't their new slogan "Unity or Death" aired form a satellite TV owned by Hezbollah's propaganda machine? Let us put recent events in context, dear Yemenis. After two members of the Marxists, pro-Iran party, were dismissed from their current government positions, they decided to start their own government. Does that sound familiar? Isn't that what is happening in Libya, today? Don't all our revolutions and coups come in the name of nationalism or religion and never, ever in the name of party and personal interests? Let's go back to Aden Declaration and the establishment of the South Political Council, and ask ourselves who is the beneficiary? Why is this happening as the Arab coalition forces, with the support of the West and under the umbrella of the United Nations, are about to liberate the rest of Yemen from Iran's agents, rebuild and develop the nation and give it entry to the Gulf Cooperation Council? How could we convince those who doubted that separation and annexation are what we really were after and how can we win international support if we fight a coup and allow another? Yes, there are legitimate issues for our brethren in the south. True, it was an imposed unification singed in their name by unelected leaders. In 24 years, Saleh's government had systematically suppressed their aspirations and denied them real development and equal citizenship rights. Oil flows from southern fields, still most revenue goes to private accounts with little spent in the south, even to clean up oil pollution and provide jobs to locals. However, these grievances were raised at the National Dialogue Conference in Sana'a (2013) under the auspices of the Gulf states, the UN and international community. The Yemeni Socialist Party and its separatist movement had participated in it. It was agreed then to form a federal state, following the model of the US, Germany and United Arab Emirates. A referendum on the new constitution was to follow. The Houthi coup interpreted the process, and we are about to end the coup and continue the project. Democracy is the rule of the people by the people, not by the elite or the street! I say to my beloved Yemenis, do not believe the hype. Recall the antagonists' recent past ... and just remember that good governance comes only with and by good governors. Dr. Khaled M. Batarfi is a Saudi writer based in Jeddah. He can be reached at [email protected]. Follow him at Twitter:@kbatarfi
