The Riyadh Conference and the Southern Issue: Uniting Ranks for the Future of Yemen

Regional and international attention is focused on the Saudi capital, Riyadh, which is hosting intense political activity aimed at recalibrating the "Southern Issue" in Yemen. This comprehensive conference is part of ongoing efforts led by Saudi Arabia to bridge the divide between various Yemeni factions and unify the domestic front in the face of current political and military challenges.

Historical context and roots of the issue

The importance of this conference cannot be understood without revisiting the historical roots of the Southern issue. Since the unification of North and South Yemen in 1990, and the subsequent civil war of 1994, the southern governorates have remained in a state of political and social unrest. These demands crystallized more clearly with the launch of the peaceful Southern Movement in 2007, culminating in the formation of several political entities, most notably the Southern Transitional Council, the various components of the revolutionary movement, and the Southern National Coalition. The multiplicity of these entities and their differing visions regarding the form of the state and the future of the South made it essential to establish a unifying platform to consolidate their voices.

The importance and implications of the conference's timing

This conference is of exceptional importance given the sensitive timing of the Yemeni crisis. Following the formation of the Presidential Leadership Council, the urgent need to resolve the differences between the forces operating under the umbrella of legitimacy has become apparent. Riyadh, through sponsoring this dialogue, aims to create a South-South consensus that guarantees fair representation for the Southern cause in any future comprehensive peace negotiations, thus complementing the outcomes of the Riyadh Agreement and the Gulf Cooperation Council consultations.

Expected impact: locally and regionally

Domestically, the success of this conference is expected to contribute to easing tensions in the liberated governorates and enhancing the security and services that Yemeni citizens aspire to. Politically, unifying the southern factions will thwart any attempts to exploit internal divisions to weaken the legitimate government.

Regionally and internationally, the conference sends a clear message about the seriousness of the Arab Coalition and the international community in pushing for a sustainable political solution. Resolving the Southern issue is considered the cornerstone of building a stable Yemen, which will positively impact maritime security in the Red Sea and the Bab al-Mandab Strait, and enhance the national security of the entire region. Recalibrating the compass today means not only resolving past problems, but also laying the foundations for a participatory political future that guarantees the rights of all parties.