The United Nations supports the Southern Yemeni dialogue in Riyadh to promote peace
The United Nations has officially welcomed the call by the head of Yemen's Presidential Leadership Council, Dr. Rashad al-Alimi, to hold a comprehensive southern dialogue conference in the Saudi capital, Riyadh. This step comes within the framework of ongoing efforts to unify Yemeni ranks and strengthen internal stability, which the international organization considers a positive indicator towards achieving sustainable peace.
In a statement to the Saudi Press Agency (SPA), the spokesperson for the UN Secretary-General, Stéphane Dujarric, affirmed that the organization is closely monitoring political and field developments in the eastern and southern governorates of Yemen. Dujarric emphasized the UN's unwavering support for resolving all political differences and disputes through dialogue, away from military conflicts that only exacerbate the suffering of the Yemeni people.
A political and historical context for unifying ranks
This call is particularly significant given the complexities of the Yemeni situation in recent years, especially concerning the Southern issue. This anticipated conference is a continuation of the outcomes of the Riyadh Agreement and the peace consultations sponsored by Saudi Arabia and the Gulf Cooperation Council, which led in April 2022 to the formation of the Presidential Leadership Council representing the diverse spectrum of Yemeni political forces. The Southern Dialogue aims to address the differences among the various Southern factions under the umbrella of legitimacy, thereby strengthening the internal front in the face of economic and security challenges.
The UN role and diplomatic efforts
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, through this welcome, reaffirms its full commitment to supporting Yemenis in reaching a sustainable and comprehensive negotiated political settlement to end the conflict. Observers believe that the success of this dialogue in Riyadh will provide a significant boost to the UN envoy's efforts to develop a roadmap for comprehensive peace.
Strategic importance of dialogue in Riyadh
The convening of the conference in Riyadh carries profound strategic significance, as it underscores Saudi Arabia's pivotal role as a key supporter of Yemen's stability and a sponsor of national reconciliation. The success of this conference is expected to bolster the performance of the internationally recognized Yemeni government, enabling it to manage service and economic affairs more effectively from the interim capital, Aden, and to unify the political and military stance of the legitimate government in preparation for any comprehensive negotiations aimed at a final settlement to the Yemeni crisis.
