Al Jaber praises southern leaders: A step towards resolving the southern issue in Riyadh
The Saudi Ambassador to Yemen, Mohammed Al Jaber, affirmed that the positive and constructive stances adopted by the southern leadership and the Southern Transitional Council play a pivotal role in strengthening the just cause of the South. He noted that this political flexibility effectively paves the way for the success of the dialogues and consultations sponsored by the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia in Riyadh. These statements came within the context of ongoing diplomatic efforts to unify ranks and end the Yemeni crisis.
General context and the Saudi role in mediation
Ambassador Al Jaber's statements are a continuation of the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia's historic role in the Yemeni file, particularly since the signing of the Riyadh Agreement in November 2019, which aimed primarily to bridge the gap between the legitimate government and the Southern Transitional Council. Over the past years, the Kingdom has sought to create common ground that ensures the participation of all active parties in the political arena, with a particular focus on including southern factions as key partners in determining the country's future. These dialogues are part of a broader strategy aimed at achieving political and security stability in the liberated governorates and steering the course toward restoring the state and ending the Houthi coup.
The importance of positive stances and their impact on the southern issue
Al Jaber's remarks are particularly significant at this time, as political analysts point out that the positive engagement of southern leaders with Saudi initiatives strengthens the international presence of the southern cause. Instead of political stagnation, engaging in dialogue helps place the demands of southerners on the table for final negotiations toward a comprehensive solution in Yemen. Demonstrating goodwill and a willingness to compromise sends reassuring messages to the international and regional community that the southern leadership is a reliable partner in building peace and stability, thus giving their cause greater political and legal momentum.
Expected effects: Unifying the home front and regional stability
The success of the Riyadh Dialogue, bolstered by these positive stances, is expected to yield tangible results both domestically and regionally. Domestically, the consensus will lead to improved public services and economic conditions in the interim capital, Aden, and neighboring governorates, where political stability is inextricably linked to economic stability. Militarily and strategically, unifying the efforts of the various anti-Houthi factions under a single umbrella will shift the balance of power on the ground. Regionally, the success of these talks represents a victory for Saudi diplomacy and reaffirms the Kingdom's role as a peacemaker in the region, contributing to the security of international waterways in the Red Sea and the Bab al-Mandab Strait through the presence of a unified and strong authority capable of enforcing security.
