Yemenis welcome Saudi Arabia's hosting of the Southern Dialogue to unify ranks
The political and public circles in Yemen widely welcomed the generous invitation extended by the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia to host a new round of dialogue between the southern political factions. This step comes at a highly sensitive time, as the Yemeni parties operating under the umbrella of legitimacy seek to unify their ranks and overcome internal differences to ensure the stability of the liberated governorates, reflecting the great confidence that various parties place in the Kingdom's leading role.
Historical context and ongoing efforts to de-escalate tensions
This initiative is not a spur-of-the-moment decision, but rather a natural and logical extension of years of tireless diplomatic efforts led by Riyadh. The most prominent of these efforts was its sponsorship of the Riyadh Agreement, signed in November 2019, which laid out a roadmap for ending the military and political tensions between the legitimate government and the Southern Transitional Council. Saudi Arabia has consistently played the role of guarantor and impartial mediator in bridging the gaps between opposing viewpoints, based on its belief that the stability of Yemen is an integral part of the security and stability of the Arabian Peninsula and the Gulf region.
Strategic importance of unifying the southern ranks
This dialogue is of paramount strategic importance given the current circumstances, as unifying the southern factions not only serves the interests of the South but also directly strengthens the cohesion and power of the Yemeni Presidential Leadership Council in confronting current political, military, and economic challenges. Ending the current discord and unifying the political and military discourse is a fundamental pillar and a prerequisite for any comprehensive peace process in the future, and it also thwarts any external attempts to destabilize security in the interim capital, Aden, and the surrounding governorates.
The Saudi role: From military support to political building
Official and partisan Yemeni reactions affirmed that the Kingdom's hosting of this dialogue reflects the Saudi leadership's continued commitment to ending the bloodshed in Yemen and supporting all efforts aimed at restoring the state and its institutions. The Saudi perspective on this event transcends the immediate political dimension, encompassing developmental and humanitarian aspects. Everyone recognizes that political stability is the primary and only gateway to resuming development, improving living conditions, and alleviating the suffering of the Yemeni people, who have long endured the ravages of conflict and the deterioration of services.
Local and regional aspirations for the future
The Yemeni public places great hopes on the outcomes of this dialogue, anticipating that it will lead to genuine and sustainable agreements that establish a new phase of true national partnership, free from exclusion. International observers believe that the success of this dialogue will provide a significant boost to the efforts of the UN envoy and the international community in their endeavors to find a comprehensive political solution to the Yemeni crisis. This reaffirms that Riyadh remains the capital that fosters peace and reconciliation in Yemen, and the primary supporter of Yemen in all circumstances.
