Yemeni Presidential Leadership Council member, Major General Mahmoud Al-Sabihi, called for prioritizing calm and southern dialogue at a time when liberated areas in Yemen are witnessing increased activity related to the southern issue. This comes alongside security warnings against any movements that could destabilize the country, amid indications of efforts by supporters of the dissolved Southern Transitional Council to reposition politically and socially.
Al-Sabihi emphasized the importance of unity among various national forces as a fundamental entry point to navigate the current phase. He affirmed that strengthening the presence of state institutions, ending manifestations of division, improving basic services, and combating corruption are priorities that are no less important than the political pathways related to the future of comprehensive settlement in the country.
Event Details
In official statements, Al-Sabihi confirmed that the southern issue will remain a national priority, pointing to the need to address this issue through a path based on constructive dialogue and enhancing political pluralism. He also highlighted the importance of instilling a culture of acceptance of others and building strong and effective state institutions capable of meeting citizens' aspirations and achieving justice.
Al-Sabihi reiterated the option of comprehensive southern-southern dialogue as a gateway to reach a fair and sustainable solution, indicating that this path should be under Saudi sponsorship to ensure the participation of various southern components, reflecting an official direction towards containing any attempts to impose a unilateral representation of the southern issue.
Background & Context
These calls come at a time when Yemen is experiencing public discontent due to the deterioration of basic services, especially electricity and water, and the ongoing collapse of the local currency. This situation reflects increasing fears among authorities of exploiting this state to reproduce previous political alignments or push towards internal confrontations in the liberated provinces.
In Hadhramaut, the security committee in the province affirmed the freedom of expression as an inherent right, but stressed the necessity of maintaining security and stability, indicating that any actions that may affect citizens' security or disrupt their interests will be met with firmness.
Impact & Consequences
Al-Sabihi's statements carry clear messages regarding the nature of the expected movement in the southern street, where he confirmed the state's commitment to protecting the right to peaceful demonstration, but emphasized the need to exercise this right within a framework of responsibility and respect for public order. Observers note that any field escalation outside peaceful frameworks could exacerbate the current situation and provide opponents of the legitimate government with an opportunity to exploit internal divisions.
In this context, efforts are expected to focus on unifying the internal front to face economic challenges and the threat from the Houthi group, reflecting the importance of dialogue as a means to avoid escalation.
Regional Significance
These calls for calm and dialogue in Yemen are particularly significant for the Arab region, as they reflect the challenges faced by countries in achieving political and social stability. Moreover, the success of dialogue in Yemen could serve as a model for other countries suffering from internal conflicts, enhancing the prospects for achieving peace and stability in the region.
In conclusion, dialogue and understanding among political forces in Yemen remain vital to overcoming current crises and fulfilling the aspirations of the Yemeni people for stability and development.