Al-Mahrami calls on Grundberg to attend the Southern Dialogue Conference: Dimensions and Implications
Abdul Rahman Abu Zara'a al-Mahrami, a member of the Yemeni Presidential Leadership Council, extended a formal invitation to Hans Grundberg, the UN Secretary-General's Special Envoy to Yemen, to attend the upcoming Southern Dialogue Conference. This invitation comes amidst intensified political activity in Yemen aimed at bolstering peace prospects and directly engaging the international community in addressing key outstanding issues, most notably the Southern Question, which is considered a crucial element for a comprehensive solution.
The importance of southern dialogue and unifying ranks
The Southern Dialogue Conference acquires exceptional importance at this sensitive juncture in Yemen's history, as southern political forces, foremost among them the Southern Transitional Council, seek to finalize their efforts to unify their ranks and visions for the future of the South. This anticipated conference is a natural extension and continuation of the successes achieved in previous rounds of dialogue, culminating in the signing of the "Southern National Charter" in May 2023. This charter laid out the general principles and constitutional foundations for the desired federal southern state and outlined the parameters of political partnership among the various southern factions.
Implications of the UN envoy's call
Observers and political analysts believe that Al-Mahrami's invitation to UN envoy Hans Grundberg carries profound political implications and sends multiple messages. On the one hand, it underscores the Southern leadership's desire for transparency and genuine partnership with the United Nations. On the other hand, it aims to directly inform the international community about the intra-Southern agreements. The presence of the UN envoy, or his representative, will contribute to a deeper understanding of the complexities of the Southern landscape, thus facilitating the UN's task of formulating a realistic roadmap for peace that includes all active parties on the ground and guarantees a just solution to the Southern issue that satisfies the people of the South, moving beyond the piecemeal solutions that have proven ineffective in the past.
Historical and regional context
Historically, the southern issue has suffered from marginalization and exclusion in numerous rounds of negotiations since the summer war of 1994. However, recent political and military developments, along with the formation of the Presidential Leadership Council, have imposed new political realities that cannot be ignored. These developments align with the intensive regional and international efforts, led by the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia and the United Arab Emirates, to end the war and establish stability in the region. This call underscores that dialogue is the only safe and viable path to resolving internal disputes and shaping a stable future, thereby enhancing the chances of success for the comprehensive political process and thwarting any attempts to obstruct the peace process.
