Al-Alimi rejects the division of Yemen and insists on the legal status of the state
Dr. Rashad Muhammad al-Alimi, Chairman of the Presidential Leadership Council in Yemen, affirmed the Council's and the legitimate government's unwavering stance against any attempts to partition Yemen or undermine its territorial integrity. He emphasized the necessity of protecting the legal status of the Yemeni state, considering it the sole guarantor of the country's stability and international recognition. This statement comes at a critical juncture for Yemen, as the legitimate authority faces escalating political and military challenges in its efforts to restore state institutions and end the coup.
Context of the formation of the Presidential Leadership Council and current challenges
Since the transfer of power and the formation of the Presidential Leadership Council in April 2022, the Council has taken upon itself the responsibility of unifying ranks to confront the grave challenges facing the country as a result of the years-long war. Maintaining the state’s “legal status” is the cornerstone of the Council’s strategy, as this means the continued international recognition of the Republic of Yemen as a sovereign entity and the preservation of its membership in the United Nations and other international organizations. This prevents Yemen from disintegrating into isolated cantons or warring militias lacking international legitimacy.
The importance of Yemeni unity in the regional and international perspective
Preserving Yemen's unity and the integrity of its institutions is not only important for domestic affairs, but also for regional and international peace and security. Yemen, with its strategic location overlooking the Bab al-Mandab Strait and international shipping lanes, is a cornerstone of global energy security and trade. Any scenarios involving the "partitioning" or fragmentation of Yemen will inevitably create permanent hotspots of tension that threaten the security of neighboring countries and pave the way for extremist groups and foreign interventions to destabilize the entire region.
The three references and the path to peace
Al-Alimi's rejection of partition is based on three nationally, regionally, and internationally agreed-upon frameworks: the Gulf Cooperation Council Initiative and its Implementation Mechanism, the outcomes of the Comprehensive National Dialogue Conference, and relevant UN Security Council resolutions, most notably Resolution 2216. All these frameworks affirm the unity, sovereignty, and independence of Yemen. Observers believe that adhering to these principles is the only path to achieving a comprehensive and just peace that will end the suffering of the Yemeni people and close the door on small-scale projects that serve only narrow agendas and fall short of the aspirations of Yemenis to build a modern federal state that guarantees rights and freedoms for all.
