Aden (South24 Center)

Thousands of people gathered today in Oroud Square in Khormakser, in the interim capital Aden, in a show of massive protest against the deterioration of economic conditions and public services, and called for reforms and countering corruption. 

The protest at Al-Orod Square in Aden, January 14, 2025 (South24 Center)

Protesters thronged the protest site in response to a call issued by trade unions and human rights groups. They carried banners demanding improvement in basic services and the regular disbursement of salaries. They also denounced the price hikes and deterioration in value of the local currency, which has exacerbated the suffering of the people. 

The organizers issued a final statement calling on the international community to assume responsibility toward the people of South Yemen. They added that the continual “international silence” deepens the suffering of the people, and called for taking tangible steps to support the rights of people and guarantee them a decent life away from political bargains. 

#Aden

Video: Thousands gathered in Aden demanding Yemeni government improve services, denounce continued economic deterioration#south24https://t.co/BHFDfjmJIl

— South24 | English (@South24E) January 14, 2025

The statement also criticized the Arab Coalition countries. It stressed that the people of South Yemen, who bet on the support of the Arab Coalition, still suffer from worsening crises that requires serious review of the current performance, providing tangible support to services, and countering corruption. 

Protestors accused the Yemeni government and the Presidential Leadership Council (PLC) of failing to carry out decisions to save the deteriorating situation. They stressed the need to pay salaries regularly and restructure them to suit soaring prices, in addition to improving the services of electricity, water, health, and education that had deteriorated sharply. 

The statement demanded reversing of the Immunity Law issued in 1995 which prevents the prosecution of corrupt officials. They asked for opening of corruption files for legal investigation, in addition to restarting operations of the vital facilities such as Aden's refineries and ports to enhance national revenues and support the floundering economy. 

The protest at Al-Orod Square in Aden, January 14, 2025 (South24 Center)

The protesters asked the Southern Transitional Council (STC), as it is the body representing the South issue, to protect the rights of people and defend them. They demanded tangible moves to end the suffering and achieve the people's aspiration toward a better future. 

At the end of the protest, trade and civil entities stressed that escalation of the issues will continue in a peaceful manner through strikes and civil disobedience till the legitimate demands are met. 

The statement warned that ignoring these demands will lead to a wave of public ire that may have dire consequences on the general scene.  

According to ’South24 Center‘, delegations from Lahj and Hadramout had arrived before the beginning of the protest.

This comes amid the deterioration of the local currency as the exchange rate of a US dollar has reached 2,160 Yemeni riyals, the lowest since the unity in 1990. 

Furthermore, the power outages in Aden and the neighboring governorates have exceeded 20 hours per day.

South Yemen's governorates witness unprecedented levels of poverty, and the public servants’ salaries have declined by 800% since the beginning of the war in 2015.