Al-Alimi praises Saudi Arabia's role in sponsoring the Southern Dialogue and resolving the Southern issue

The Vice President of the Yemeni Presidential Leadership Council, Dr. Abdullah Al-Alimi, praised the decisive stances and responsible statements of His Royal Highness Prince Khalid bin Salman bin Abdulaziz, Minister of Defense of the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia, which affirmed the Kingdom's leading and pivotal role in sponsoring the "South-South Dialogue." Al-Alimi considered these steps to be the cornerstone for building a stable political future for Yemen, one that guarantees the participation of all without exclusion or marginalization.

A new political path for the southern issue

Al-Alimi emphasized that the Southern issue, which has long been a source of contention, has, thanks to Saudi sponsorship, moved from the realm of conflict and political manipulation to a clear and transparent political path. He explained that this shift opens a genuine horizon for the people of the South to formulate a unified vision that reflects their legitimate aspirations, within a framework that guarantees rights and preserves gains, supported by regional and international will to end the ongoing tension.

The importance and timing of the Southern Dialogue

These statements are of paramount importance given the current circumstances in Yemen, as unifying the southern ranks is a strategic step towards strengthening the stability of the Presidential Leadership Council and bolstering state institutions. Shifting to constructive dialogue instead of armed or political conflict paves the way for addressing historical grievances that have accumulated over decades, particularly since the 1994 civil war, thus restoring the just cause of the South to its rightful place, free from narrow agendas.

The Saudi role: a pillar of stability in Yemen

This stance cannot be separated from the historical context of Saudi Arabia's role in Yemen, where the Kingdom has consistently been the primary supporter of Yemen's stability, unity, and territorial integrity. From the Gulf Initiative to the Riyadh Agreement and the Gulf Cooperation Council consultations, Riyadh has always sought to bridge the divide between Yemeni factions. The emphasis on "expanding the base of political participation" serves as further evidence of the Kingdom's comprehensive vision for a solution in Yemen, one that is based on justice and inclusivity to ensure lasting peace.

Regional and international interaction

This approach enjoys broad support from the international community, which views stability in the southern governorates as essential for achieving comprehensive peace in Yemen. The Kingdom's sponsorship of this dialogue provides genuine guarantees to all parties that the proposed solutions will be viable and that Yemen's political future will be built on consensus and partnership, thus ending a long period of turmoil and ushering in an era of development and reconstruction.