Yemen's youth: the best hope for democracy - Opinion - Al Jazeera English

Yemen's youth: the best hope for democracy - Opinion - Al Jazeera English: "Across the Middle East and North Africa, youth have used their newfound sense of dignity to create change that previous generations only dreamed about. But as the so-called Arab Spring progresses, the youth voice often gets buried under individual interests and political posturing.

Nowhere is this truer than in Yemen, where the youth face both a resilient autocrat and stubborn allies. Yet still, their determination to change the status quo through peaceful, democratic and selfless tactics has become one of the few constants in a decidedly unstable country. Over the past six months the younger generation has made it clear that if Yemenis hope to realise their revolutionary aims, the solution must include a prominent role for youth.

The uprising began even before Tunisia revolted with a handful of young activists endearingly known as the 'pioneers'. Every week, they would hold demonstrations against the regime. Soon after Egyptian President Hosni Mubarak fell, more people joined. At its height, the popular movement drew hundreds of thousands, if not millions, to the streets, demanding President Saleh's ouster. Change Square in Yemen became a symbol of resistance, just as Tahrir Square had in Egypt."

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