Nobel Peace Prize laureate and human rights advocate Tawakkol Karman marked the 63rd anniversary of Yemen’s September 26 Revolution with a televised address, calling the uprising “the birth of the republic and the compass guiding Yemenis toward freedom, justice, and equal citizenship.”
Speaking on Belqees TV, Karman hailed the revolution as a turning point that ended centuries of Imamate rule, which she described as “a system of tyranny that exalted ignorance and isolated Yemen from the world.” She underscored that its values remain essential in confronting present-day challenges of authoritarianism, sectarianism, and foreign domination.
“Every time the imamate returns, it brings with it ruin, death, and hunger,” Karman said. “Nations are not built on sectarian or regional claims, nor on myths.”
Criticism of Leadership and Coalition
Karman delivered sharp criticism of Yemen’s Presidential Leadership Council, accusing it of “failure and subservience to the Saudi-Emirati coalition,” which she said has entrenched the Houthi coup and weakened the legitimacy of state institutions.
She also blamed political elites and militia leaders across the country for prolonging the conflict, accusing them of trading in the blood and dreams of Yemenis for personal gain.
“They accepted being mere tools instead of carrying the trust of the people who sacrificed for the revolution and the republic,” she charged.
Condemning Israeli Aggression and Houthi Extortion
Karman condemned what she described as brutal Israeli aggression and the killing of civilians in Sana’a, accusing the Houthis of exploiting the Gaza conflict to score political points and drag Yemen into a war unrelated to its people. She declared: “The occupation will end, no matter how long it takes, and freedom will prevail.”
Acknowledgment of Limited Progress
While noting recent measures by the Central Bank in Aden that briefly stabilized the currency and lowered prices, Karman stressed that Yemen’s salvation depends on the will of its people to demand dignity, security, and a decent life.
“Leaving thieves and killers unchecked will never bring peace,” she warned.
Call for Unity and Republican Values
Karman urged Yemenis to unite behind the principles of the September Revolution as a roadmap for building a democratic, inclusive state based on justice and equal opportunity. She called for an end to warlordism, foreign interference, and divisive sectarian projects.
She concluded with a pledge to uphold the republican values born in 1962: “September is our covenant, and the republic is our national pledge. The imamate will not return. Yemen will not be broken.”