Southern dialogue in Riyadh: Unifying the Yemeni ranks under Saudi auspices

The Saudi capital, Riyadh, is witnessing a surge in political activity and intensive diplomatic efforts, bringing together leaders and elites from various political factions in southern Yemen. This move is described as pivotal for unifying the internal ranks and coordinating efforts. The initiative is being directly sponsored by Saudi Arabia, which leads the Arab Coalition, with the aim of bridging the gap between the different southern factions and reaching a unified political vision that supports a comprehensive peace process in Yemen.

Context of events and political background

This southern momentum in Riyadh cannot be understood in isolation from the political developments that have unfolded in the Yemeni conflict over the past few years. Since the signing of the Riyadh Agreement in November 2019, Saudi Arabia has strived to end military and political tensions in the liberated governorates, culminating in the formation of the Presidential Leadership Council in April 2022. However, differing visions between the Southern Transitional Council and other southern factions continue to pose a challenge to the stability of the liberated areas, necessitating a new round of consultations to formulate a national charter of honor or political understandings that guarantee the participation of all parties.

The importance and timing of dialogue

This dialogue is of paramount strategic importance given the economic and security challenges facing the internationally recognized Yemeni government. The South-South consensus aims to achieve several key gains, most notably:

• Strengthening the home front: Ending the state of political division contributes to directing efforts towards restoring state institutions and improving services in the interim capital Aden and neighboring governorates.
• Strengthening the negotiating position: The Southerners seek to enter any final peace negotiations under the auspices of the United Nations with a unified delegation or a shared vision that ensures the Southern issue is presented as a key file in the final solution.
• Security stability: Political consensus is directly reflected in the security situation, which reduces military friction and creates a suitable environment for investment and reconstruction.

Saudi role and regional dimensions

Saudi Arabia’s sponsorship of this dialogue underscores the Kingdom’s continued commitment to supporting stability in Yemen. Riyadh recognizes that stability in the south is the cornerstone of stability in Yemen as a whole, and of protecting international waterways in Bab al-Mandab and the Red Sea. These consultations are expected to result in a new structure or understandings that guarantee fair representation for the various southern governorates, including Hadramawt, Shabwa, and Abyan, ensuring that no party is marginalized in the future political equation.

In conclusion, observers view the Riyadh meetings with cautious optimism, believing that the success of these consultations will constitute a real turning point in the course of the Yemeni crisis, paving the way for a comprehensive political solution that ends years of conflict.