Speech of His Excellency Dr. Rashad Al-Alimi, on the 62nd Anniversary of October 14 Revolution

  Aden

In the Name of God, the Most Gracious, the Most Merciful

Citizens of our great Yemeni nation, at home and abroad,

Heroes of our Armed Forces and Security Services in every field of courage and sacrifice,

Peace, mercy, and blessings of God be upon you.

On behalf of myself and my fellow members in the Presidential Leadership Council, I extend to you greetings of freedom and dignity, and heartfelt congratulations on this glorious day—the 14th of October. It marks the triumph of a long struggle that embodied the unity and shared destiny of the Yemeni revolution.

On this day in 1963, from the proud mountains of Radfan, the spark of freedom was ignited under the leadership of the martyr Rajeh bin Ghalib Labouza and his brave companions. They carried forward what the September revolutionaries began in Sana’a—paving a long and costly path toward the dream of a just state founded on citizenship, equality, and the rule of law, which the leaders of the national movement spent centuries struggling to achieve.

The October 14 Revolution was not a passing event. It was a rebirth of our proud nation—a cry of defiance against tyranny, and a shining chapter in our people’s struggle against oppression and colonialism in both the north and the south.

From that great revolution emerged the foundation of the modern Yemeni state. Aden became a symbol of dignity, enlightenment, and the living memory of a nation that can only be led by the will of its people and their reconciliation with each other and with the outside world.

Dear citizens,

Today, as we commemorate this immortal anniversary, we renew our pledge that Aden—and all the cities of the South, united by the spirit of October—will remain the beating heart of our nation, open to the world through its ports, and standing firm against coups, terrorism, and all projects of division and exclusion.

Throughout history, Aden, Hadhramaut, and the cities of the South have been bridges of unity, not division—havens of diversity, not exclusion—sources of inspiration for building a homeland that embraces all its citizens without exception.

Dear citizens, the South has always been an essential partner in building the republican Yemen, through its pioneering experiences in education, women’s empowerment, labor organization, and its deep-rooted civic values.

It is only just to affirm that the Southern cause is now the cornerstone of any comprehensive political solution. Its fairness cannot be overlooked, and its resolution must be based on a national state that upholds popular will and equality among all citizens, in terms of rights and duties.

It is time to close the chapters of division and open a new page of collective effort for the future—a future that begins with defeating the coup, restoring state institutions, and reaffirming the people’s right to freedom, peace, and development.

The October Revolution laid the foundation for a modern civil state born from the national movement, reshaping society on principles of justice and equal citizenship. From that struggle came progressive legal and social reforms—most notably the Family Law, which set the legal age for marriage, protected women’s dignity, and granted them broad rights ahead of its time.

This transformation extended to all areas of public life—factories, ports, cultural institutions, and the national theater. Aden was home to the first television broadcast and the first sports club—symbols of enlightenment, youth participation, and creative openness.

Thus, the legacy of October continues to inspire us. It reminds us that the mission of building a just state is not complete, and that it is our duty to continue what our forefathers began—holding firm to the values of freedom, citizenship, equality, and the rule of law. These values were the essence of the experience and its journey toward the future, reinforcing the positives of the phase and learning from its failures.

My fellow Yemenis,

The Presidential Leadership Council reaffirms its sincere commitment to the principle of partnership and to managing its internal and external relations in a spirit of responsibility. This commitment was once again evident in its recent meetings, placing the interests of our people above all other considerations.

I assure you that this consensus is not a political maneuver but rather a decisive step to strengthen national cohesion, demonstrate the constructive role of the bodies supporting the Presidential Leadership Council and direct all efforts toward the greater goal—restoring state institutions, ending the coup supported by the Iranian regime, and bringing relief to our long-suffering people.

Experiences have taught us that nations are not built on slogans but on shared responsibility. Experiences taught us that differences among national components are natural part of pluralism and national forces, as as long as they remain under the framework of the state and the rule of law.

Our Great Yemeni People,

Over the past three years, we have faced an unprecedented financial crisis, accompanied by campaigns of doubt and distortion. Yet, we chose to work quietly—to turn challenges into hope and crises into promising opportunities with the help of God Almighty.

Through teamwork between the Council, the government, and the Central Bank, we launched a new phase of financial and administrative reforms. This resulted in renewed support from our loyal brothers in the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia in the form of an additional grant to the state budget. It also restored confidence among the donor community, which recently culminated in the International Monetary Fund resuming its activities in Yemen after eleven-year of suspension.

As a result, the national currency and basic commodities have stabilized, and salary payments for civil and military employees have begun, including the scheduling of delayed payments. This process will, by God’s will, extend to cover the dues of diplomatic missions and students abroad.

We have instructed the government to continue implementing the reform agenda, in accordance with the decisions and recommendations of the Presidential Leadership Council, in order to ensure the sustainability of these gains and avoid any side effects on vulnerable groups of citizens. 

Experience has proven that transparency, clarity, harmony in the work between state institutions, recognition of shortcomings and mistakes, and not shirking responsibilities are the best way to enhance opportunities for resilience and maximize gains at all levels.

As we emphasized in the September speech, that this is the difference between the state and the militia. The state that works according to facts and real circumstances, employing them to serve its citizens and alleviate their suffering, and the militia that sells illusions and seizes power and wealth for the benefit of its terrorist leaders. A state that faces disasters with hope and a helping hand, and a militia that faces vaccines with superstition, development with hatred, and demands for the payment of salaries with repression, kidnapping, and abuse.

Dear citizens,

My fellow members of the Council and I  are closely following the legitimate popular demands for justice and the rule of law. We have directed the authorities to take firm measures to protect the oppressed, punish offenders, and prevent impunity. Justice is the essence of the state and the measure of its moral strength.

We also note the continued improvement in judicial performance, with dozens of final rulings issued in major criminal cases after years of delay.

On this occasion, we affirm that the scope of freedoms is guaranteed by law. Protest is a legitimate right for all citizens. However, it must serve as a shining example of freedom of expression, pluralism, coexistence, and the reform of law enforcement institutions. It should not be used to weaken these institutions or worsen the situation, nor should it become a pretext for isolation or an environment that discourages partnerships and much-needed development and humanitarian efforts.

Drear fellow citizens,

On this blessed day, we congratulate the Palestinian people on the recent ceasefire agreement in Gaza after months of horrific suffering endured by innocent people amid killing, destruction, and Israel's deadly blockade.

We salute the steadfastness of the Palestinian people. We also commend the efforts of Saudi Arabia, Egypt, Qatar, and other Arab and international partners. These collective efforts were led by President Donald Trump of the United States. Together, they contributed to this historic achievement on the path toward a just peace and the establishment of an independent Palestinian state with Jerusalem as its capital.

In this regard, we also express our deep appreciation to the Coalition to Support Legitimacy—led by Saudi Arabia and the United Arab Emirates—for their historic positions in support of the Yemeni and Palestinian peoples, and for their tireless efforts to promote peace and stability in the region and the world.

Their stances have been fundamental pillars of our country's resilience and an example of sincere partnership and genuine Arab solidarity, embodying the project of peace and development in contrast to projects of chaos and destruction.

As we celebrate this agreement, we call upon the Houthi militias: Learn your lesson, seize the opportunity to lay down your arms, obey the will of the Yemeni people and the decisions of international legitimacy, and do not be beholden to projects of chaos and Iranian tutelage that have destroyed Yemen's present and threaten to confiscate the future of its young people.

O great people of Yemen, heroes of our armed and security forces, free youth and women of Yemen,

You have proven to the world that you are the strong shield of the Republic and the first pillar in the battle for national salvation.

Thanks to your determination, the factors of resilience and confidence in restoring sovereignty, stability, and peace have been strengthened. However, we realize that true peace will only be achieved through the complete dismantling of the sectarian and racist structure and the criminalization of the idea of imamate in the constitution and law.

With your resolve, we will prevail—not through slogans, but through organized action, firm belief, and justice that never falters.

Glory and eternity to our martyrs,

Speedy recovery to our wounded heroes,

Freedom for our prisoners,

Long live our free Republic,

Glorious October,

Peace and God’s mercy be upon you.