Salim Rubaya Ali

Salim Rubaya Ali (Arabic: سالِم رُبَيِّع عَلي;^[1] 17 June 1934 – 26 June 1978^[2]), commonly known by his nickname Salmine (Arabic: سالمين),^[3] was a Yemeni Maoist politician and revolutionary who served as the second head of state of the People's Democratic Republic of Yemen (South Yemen) from 22 June 1969 until his execution on 26 June 1978.^[4][5]

Salim Rubaya Ali
Arabic: سالِم رُبَيِّع عَلي
Ali in 1977
2nd President of South Yemen
In office 22 June 1969 – 26 June 1978
Preceded by	Qahtan Muhammad al-Shaabi
Succeeded by	Ali Nasir Muhammad
Personal details
Born	17 June 1934 Aden Protectorate
Died	26 June 1978 (aged 44) Aden, South Yemen
Cause of death	Execution by firing squad
Nationality	South Yemen
Political party	National Liberation Front
Occupation	Chairman of the Presidential Council
Nickname	Salmine
Military service
Allegiance	NLF (1963–1967)  South Yemen (1967–1978)
Years of service	1963–1978
Battles/wars	Aden Emergency al-Wadiah War

Ali led the left-wing faction of the National Front for the Liberation of South Yemen (NLF),^[6] which forced the British to withdraw from southern Yemen on 29 November 1967. Ali's radical Marxist faction gained dominance over the more moderate President Qahtan al-Shaabi's elements, allowing Ali to seize power; he retained the title of Chairman of the Presidential Council throughout his term, even as the NLF changed the name of the country from the People's Republic of South Yemen to the People's Democratic Republic of Yemen in 1970. ^{[citation needed]}

Ali's National Front joined with other parties in 1975, creating the United Political Organisation NF (التنظيم السياسي الموحد الجبهة القومية), all rival parties having been outlawed earlier. He opposed the idea of the Yemeni Socialist Party's (YSP) future creation promoted by Abdul Fattah Ismail. He appointed Muhammad Ali Haitham as his Prime Minister when he became chairman. Haitham served until August 1971, when he was replaced by Ali Nasir Muhammad. In 1978, the collective leadership of the YSP led by Abdul Fattah Ismail overthrew and executed Ali.^[7]

References

1. Alternate spellings of Salem Rubaya Ali's name, including Salem Rubaya Ali Archived 2011-07-17 at the Wayback Machine, proekt-wms.narod.ru; accessed 3 December 2014.
2. "أخبار محلية - تفاصيل تكشف لأول مرة عن الرئيس سالمين بشهادة جنرال روسي". Archived from the original on 2022-11-12. Retrieved 2021-06-16.
3. Yuval (1981-07-10). "Why did They Liquidate Salmin? – Ehud Ein-Gil". Matzpen.org/English. Retrieved 2024-08-25.
4. "Yemen's Socialist Experiment Was a Political Landmark for the Arab World". jacobin.com. Retrieved 2024-11-21. Salmine was often described as a Maoist because he supported direct popular involvement and was suspicious of bureaucratic institutions, including those of a party.
5. "في ذكرى اغتيال الرئيس سالم ربيع علي سالمين". Archived from the original on 2019-05-31. Retrieved 2019-05-31.
6. National Front for the Liberation of South Yemen (NF) infosite Archived 2011-07-21 at the Wayback Machine, al-ayyam.info; accessed 3 December 2014.
7. Howe, Marvine (25 May 1979). "Southern Yemen Blends Marxism With Islam and Arab Nationalism". The New York Times. Archived from the original on 14 September 2023. Retrieved 14 September 2023.

Links

• Ahmad Salmin about his father for the first time, alshibami.net; accessed December 3, 2014.
• Salim Rubai Ali with his son, alshibami.net; accessed December 3, 2014.
• President Salim Rubai Ali on board of the Soviet vessel from Nishtun to Socotra (January 1978), pics.photographer.ru; accessed December 3, 2014.

Preceded by Established position	Chairmen of the Presidential Council 23 June 1969–26 June 1978	Succeeded by Ali Nasir Muhammad