The governor: The Riyadh meetings are a turning point for the southern cause
The prominent southern politician and academic, Dr. Abdulrahman Al-Wali, described the “Riyadh meetings” as representing a crucial and pivotal moment in the history of the southern cause, noting that the political outcomes of these consultations may shape the political future of southern Yemen and the region in general for years to come.
Historical context of the Southern issue
These statements come at a time of intense political and diplomatic activity in Yemen. The roots of the Southern issue extend back to the period following Yemeni unification in 1990 and the subsequent events of the 1994 civil war, which Southerners view as having marginalized their unification partner and shifted the course toward annexation and subjugation. Since the launch of the peaceful Southern Movement in 2007, popular demands in the southern governorates have escalated for a just resolution to the Southern issue that meets the aspirations of the people, culminating in the formation of the Southern Transitional Council, which has become a key player in the current political landscape.
The importance of the Riyadh consultations
The Riyadh meetings are of paramount importance because they are being held under the auspices of the Gulf Cooperation Council and with broad international support. They aim to unify ranks to confront economic and security challenges and end the ongoing conflict. Observers believe that placing the Southern issue on the negotiating table in Riyadh as a primary, rather than a marginal, file constitutes regional and international recognition of the necessity to address this issue to ensure Yemen's stability. The transition from military conflict to political partnership through the Riyadh Agreement and subsequent consultations presents Southern forces with historic obligations that require unified visions and joint action.
Regional and international impact
Regionally, the success of these meetings is seen as crucial for securing international waterways in the Bab al-Mandab Strait and the Red Sea, as the stability of the southern governorates is a cornerstone of Arab and Gulf national security. The governor and other politicians emphasize that ignoring the southern issue in any previous settlements has perpetuated tensions. Therefore, the Riyadh meetings represent a timely opportunity to correct the political course and ensure that proposed solutions are realistic and sustainable, guaranteeing the right of southerners to self-determination within the framework of a comprehensive settlement backed by international guarantees.
