In a pivotal political move aimed at restructuring the internal political landscape and ending political divisions, a broad southern meeting was held in Yemen, bringing together a wide spectrum of political, social, and tribal groups from the southern governorates. This meeting comes in response to repeated calls for unifying the southern ranks and overcoming past differences, with the goal of forming a united front capable of addressing the demands of the current phase and the political and economic challenges facing the country.
Historical context and roots of the issue
This meeting cannot be understood in isolation from Yemen's complex historical context, particularly since Yemeni unification in 1990 and the events that followed, most notably the 1994 civil war, which left a profound mark on the southern consciousness. Southern demands became more clearly defined with the launch of the peaceful Southern Movement in 2007, which called for justice for southerners and a fair resolution to the Southern Question. Over the past years, the southern political landscape has suffered from a multiplicity of factions and conflicting visions, making the need for a national charter of honor that unites these disparate groups under a single umbrella, guaranteeing partnership in decision-making, more urgent than ever.
The importance of the meeting and its timing
This meeting is of paramount strategic importance given the sensitive timing of the Yemeni conflict. As international and UN efforts continue to advance the peace process and end the years-long war, a unified southern voice becomes crucial in any future negotiations for a final settlement. The meeting aims to produce a unified political vision that ensures a specific framework for the cause of the people of South Yemen within the comprehensive settlement negotiations. This framework would guarantee the realization of their aspirations for self-determination and the restoration of their state, in accordance with the political principles adopted by most active southern factions, most notably the Southern Transitional Council.
Expected impacts locally and regionally
Domestically, the success of this meeting is expected to contribute to strengthening security and public services in the interim capital, Aden, and neighboring governorates, as political consensus typically has a positive impact on the performance of government institutions and the improvement of the deteriorating economic situation. Regionally, unifying the southern ranks serves the interests of the Arab Coalition led by Saudi Arabia and the United Arab Emirates, as it facilitates security and military coordination to confront shared threats, primarily the Houthi expansion and terrorist groups, thus enhancing Arab national security in the Bab al-Mandab Strait and the Red Sea region.
In conclusion, the bet remains on the ability of the participating parties to prioritize the greater good and to transform the outcomes of this expanded meeting into realistic action plans that address the concerns of the citizen and establish a new phase of partnership and development.
