Socotra: Emirati Foundation Requires Notables to Sign “Self-Government” in Exchange for Financial Aid

Local sources in the Socotra Archipelago Governorate revealed that the Khalifa bin Zayed Foundation of the UAE has required the sheikhs and dignitaries of the archipelago to sign a document supporting the so-called “self-rule” in exchange for providing financial aid.

A local source told Yemen Youth Net that the foundation, which is active in the humanitarian field in Socotra, was providing scattered financial aid ranging around 200 dirhams to the notables and sheikhs of the region.

The source, who preferred to remain anonymous, added that this time the foundation stipulated that the sheikhs and dignitaries sign a document adopting the idea of self-rule in exchange for the continued disbursement of financial aid.

This comes in conjunction with the movements of a newly created entity called the "General National Council of the Sons of Socotra", run by a leader in the Southern Transitional Council named Ali bin Issa bin Afar, who holds Emirati citizenship.

This entity affiliated with the Emirates had demanded self-rule for the archipelago, which was met with widespread condemnation from various local parties.

For its part, the General Council of the Sons of Mahra and Socotra denounced attempts to impose a new component under the name of the National Council of the Sons of the Archipelago, stressing in a statement issued on Tuesday that it is the comprehensive entity and political carrier of the sons of Mahra and Socotra since its establishment on July 10, 2012.

The General Secretariat of the Council expressed its rejection of what it described as the "unacceptable blackmail" to which sheikhs and dignitaries are subjected by linking financial aid to conditions that contradict their convictions, and stressed the need to respect the will of the people of the Socotra Archipelago and not to impose directions on them by force.

The statement affirmed the Council's support for any efforts aimed at achieving the aspirations of the people of Socotra in managing their affairs, provided that this is done in agreement and consultation with the people of influence, away from isolation or exclusion.

At the end of the statement, the General Secretariat of the Council announced the formation of a special committee to sit with all concerned parties, including the local authority, the Transitional Council, dignitaries, political and social components, and the leadership of the Arab coalition, with the aim of consultation and coming up with a unified vision that meets the aspirations of the people of the archipelago.

It also called on all Socotra groups and components to unite and abandon differences to achieve the highest interests of the archipelago.