1990 – Yemen Unification and Its Impact on African Diaspora Migration

On May 22, 1990, North and South Yemen officially unified, forming the Republic of Yemen. While often overlooked in Black history, this geopolitical shift had profound effects on the African diaspora—especially for Afro-Yemenis and Somali migrants. The unification intensified political instability, prompting thousands from the Horn of Africa to migrate through or to Yemen. Afro-Yemenis, many of whom descend from enslaved East Africans, found themselves navigating new national identity policies that often marginalized their Black heritage. Post-unification Yemen also became a strategic route for African refugees fleeing conflict, placing African migrants at the heart of one of the world\’s most complex humanitarian regions. May 22 invites deeper reflection on how African diasporic identities intersect with Middle Eastern politics. It’s a crucial day to recognize Black presence and struggle outside the typical Western lens. Yemen\’s unification is more than a regional event—it’s a diasporic turning point.