As Yemen National Dialogue Conference entered its second session, prominent politician and Chairman of al-Islah, Yemen Islamic faction, Mohammed Abdullah Alyadoomy announced he was withdrawing from the dialogue.
His retraction which follows that of Sheikh Hamid al-Ahmar, also a high ranking leader of al-Islah and Tawakkul Karman, a member of al-Islah and 2011 Nobel Peace Prize winner raised a few eyebrows amid Islahi militants, with many wondering how the country national dialogue could continue without such prominent figures having withdrawn over concerns of fairness and equal representation.
Mohammed Alyadoomy who explained in a statement he felt compelled to leave the dialogue in protest of what he judges to be unfair representation of the Youth, stressed his party would however continue to attend through other representatives.
In a direct address to President Abdo Rabbo Mansour Hadi who alone oversaw all candidatures to the NDC, said he felt saddened "at the Youth exclusion from the conference," especially since it was their movement which led to the toppling of Yemen dictatorship.
Al-Islah was one of Yemen first political factions to back 2011 revolutionary movement, directly using its influence and military power to protect the Youth from the state security apparatus.
Alyadoomy added as closure to his address, "We will not forget the martyrs of the Friday of Dignity,"referring to the dozens of protesters who were killed by the security forces on 2011 bloodiest day. Despite many promises, the transition government has yet to bring those responsible to justice, bringing a sense of closure to an expectant Yemen.