The United Nations has officially welcomed the call by Dr. Rashad al-Alimi, head of the Presidential Leadership Council in Yemen, to hold a comprehensive southern dialogue conference in the Saudi capital, Riyadh. This welcome was expressed by the spokesperson for the UN Secretary-General, Stéphane Dujarric, who affirmed the international organization's support for all efforts aimed at unifying ranks and resolving political differences through peaceful channels.
In a statement to the Saudi Press Agency (SPA), Dujarric explained that the United Nations is closely monitoring the field and political developments in the eastern and southern governorates of Yemen, stressing that dialogue is the only and ideal way to overcome differences in viewpoints between the various Yemeni political components.
The importance of unifying the Yemeni ranks
This call for a presidential council is of paramount strategic importance given the current circumstances in Yemen. Since the formation of the Presidential Leadership Council in April 2022 in Riyadh, intended to transfer power and unify anti-Houthi efforts, the urgent need to address the "Southern Issue" and unify the visions of the various southern factions and the legitimate government has become increasingly apparent. This upcoming conference is a crucial step toward strengthening the internal cohesion of the Presidential Leadership Council and ensuring the stability of the liberated governorates, thus paving the way for a stronger negotiating position in any future comprehensive peace talks.
The Saudi role and the peace process
The selection of Riyadh as the venue for this conference underscores the pivotal role Saudi Arabia plays in the Yemeni conflict, not only as the leader of the Arab Coalition but also as a key sponsor of peace and mediation efforts. The Kingdom previously sponsored the Riyadh Agreement, which aimed to end tensions in the south, and continues to provide logistical and political support to ensure the success of Yemeni-Yemeni dialogues, striving to achieve regional stability and end the humanitarian suffering in Yemen.
UN envoy's efforts and a comprehensive settlement
In a related context, the UN spokesperson noted that the UN Special Envoy to Yemen, Hans Grundberg, continues his direct and intensive engagement with all relevant Yemeni and regional parties. The UN views the Southern Dialogue as an integral part of broader efforts to reach a sustainable, negotiated political settlement. Resolving internal divisions within the legitimate government camp is a prerequisite for achieving a comprehensive peace that ends the years-long conflict and fulfills the aspirations of the Yemeni people for security, stability, and development.
