Spokesman for Yemen's Reform Party (Islah), Adnan al-Odayni, stated that political work in Yemen is no longer optional but a duty to protect citizens' rights to freedom and dignity amid attempts to restore individual rule and deepen divisions.
He said that politics should express people's free will in determining their fate and participating in public decisions. Al-Odayni emphasized that current priority is not managing electoral competition but finding a formula for coexistence preserving people's dignity and hope.
Al-Odayni added that politics should be a unifying act transcending divisive rhetoric, focusing on building trust among people. He noted that Yemen's September 26th revolution embodied this spirit, born from citizens' desire for a different reality.
He also stated that politics reaches its highest form when representing voices of unknown individuals - citing a soldier fighting in Marib from Al-Mahra province as embodying Yemen's collective stance, not a narrow party position.
Regarding the Reform Party's achievements, al-Odayni said the party contributed to bringing politics into the open, linking it to real issues, and recognizing social components. He stressed that the party avoided using the term "Islamic" in its name, acknowledging Yemen doesn't need to define itself by Islam but rather by political recognition.
Al-Odayni discussed the party's relationship with foreign entities, stating that national interest demands deepening local roots. He cited the "Joint Meeting" experience as a historical reconciliation based on recognizing reality.
On priorities for the upcoming phase, al-Odayni emphasized the need for government performance to align with the national battle against Houthi rebels, linking sacrifices to achieving justice and services. He warned that lacking political cover for military action would reduce the battle to mere military acts lacking vision.
Al-Odayni outlined challenges facing the party, including officials forgetting national duties and citizens growing weary from prolonged suffering.