Calls for the secession of South Yemen have resurfaced and are on the increase as Yemen's political unrest continues.
Graffiti calling for secession, such as "Freedom for South. Aden Get Up", is cropping up across the south, along side prominent displays of the old flag of South Yemen.
The Yemeni security forces have attempted to crack down on such calls since the 1990 pact that unified the North and South.
A former general in South Yemen's army and leading members of the current secessionist movement, Nasser Al Tawil, said,
“We are becoming stronger and stronger because of the political situation,”
“Our point of view is becoming stronger and stronger.”
“We will not stop,”
“We are going to escalate our political activism in a greater way. We want our rights."
Southerners allege long-standing marginalisation, with decreased job opportunities, development, land grab, and an unequal distribution of the country's oil revenue.
