Reconciliation efforts bring Yemen one step closer to political solutionhttps://en.majalla.com/node/290991/politics/reconciliation-efforts-bring-yemen-one-step-closer-political-solution
London: The recent scenes of released prisoners reuniting with their families, accompanied by a sense of calm and the signing of agreements, have provided a glimmer of hope amidst the darkness of the Yemeni crisis. This is the first time that Yemen has experienced such a period of positivity since the Houthi coup of September 2014.
Instead of being bombarded with images of frontline battles, the media was filled with heartwarming scenes of handshakes and embraces at the presidential palace in Sana'a.
In the first few days of April 2023, discussions were held regarding a draft of a transitional period that has yet to be issued, but is being studied and discussed by officials, researchers, and other well-informed individuals.
Early measures in the draft include the implementation of a ceasefire, salary payments, and the reopening of Yemeni land, sea, and air routes. Technical committees will also be formed to merge the Central Bank, and an economic reform process with Saudi participation will take place.
The most significant aspect of the transitional phase will be direct negotiations aimed at answering the fundamental question of how Yemenis envision the shape and form of their state.
The most significant aspect of the transitional phase will be direct negotiations aimed at answering the fundamental question of how Yemenis envision the shape and form of their state.
Preparing for peace in Yemen was a massive undertaking, including diplomatic trips, endless discussions, and dialogue. A few times peace was nearly reached, only to fall through at the 11th hour.
However, Saudi Arabia displayed courage in choosing peace and supporting it. Both sides of the conflict participated in creating a regional ceasefire and drew upon the lessons learned from previous experiences that failed to reach a political solution.
Freed prisoners at Marib airport.
Riyadh addressed the fundamental obstacle to any Yemeni political process by proactively initiating the political process under Chinese sponsorship, before sending a delegation led by its ambassador to Yemen, Mohammed al-Jaber.
Significant turning point
The Beijing agreement resulting from Saudi diplomacy marked a significant turning point in the Yemeni peace process, although it came on the heels of an agreement facilitated by Oman and Iraq at Iran's request.
Nonetheless, the Saudi initiative contributed to keeping the doors open for a political solution in Yemen. Since 2018, Riyadh has been pushing for peace in Yemen and continued to support the United Nations track, launched an initiative in March 2021 for a political solution in Yemen, and even spoke directly with Tehran.
Riyadh's pragmatism inspired the Yemeni government and encouraged the Houthis, who, behind closed doors, express trust in Saudi Arabia, according to insiders.
The Riyadh-Yemen consultations, held under Gulf auspices with regional and international backing, successfully transferred power and addressed the political problems eroding the legitimacy of all opponents of the Houthis.
Dr. Rashad al-Alimi led the Presidential Council, comprising seven deputies from different regions, with different strengths, including political and military, and managed to keep the parties cohesive throughout the past year based on consensus and partnership, despite facing numerous challenges.
Internal and external factors
Achieving a political solution in Yemen depends on both internal and external factors. Internally, the parties to the conflict must acknowledge that there is no military solution to the crisis, and the high costs of their promises must be recognised.
The Houthis' failed attempt to occupy Marib for 18 months resulted in the loss of thousands of fighters. On the other hand, the Yemeni government, supported by the coalition, has not launched any military operations since the end of 2018, following the Stockholm Agreement.
A Yemeni pro-government fighter is pictured during fighting with Houthi rebels on the south frontline of Marib, the last remaining government stronghold in northern Yemen, on November 10, 2021.
The Deterrent Defence alliance committed to a military strategy developed in November after Saudi Arabia was targeted by over 1,400 explosive drones and ballistic missiles.
Externally, the success of the Keys to Solutions initiative introduced by Saudi Arabia in opening the doors to a political solution in Yemen with the blessing of the Yemeni government is a crucial factor.
Saudi Arabia is working as a mediator to reach a comprehensive Yemeni political solution under UN sponsorship, drawing from three past initiatives and resolutions: the Gulf Initiative and its implementation mechanism, the comprehensive Yemeni national dialogue outcomes, and UN Security Council Resolution 2216.
Saudi Arabia drew from three past initiatives and resolutions: the Gulf Initiative, the comprehensive Yemeni national dialogue outcomes, and UN Security Council Resolution 2216.
Rasha Jerhum, a member of the Reconciliation and Consultation Committee, believes that the transitional phase may succeed if reassurances and guarantees are provided. She emphasised the need to implement a complete local governance system that gives the people of the regions "the right to lead and develop their areas."
People should also have the right to "begin implementing the reconciliatory justice that aims to address social, economic, and security damages by focusing on compensation, restoring rights, and opening the door to dialogue between those affected and those who violated their rights to ensure the cycles of conflict do not reemerge."
An inclusive and sustainable peace
Dr. Fares Al-Beel, a Yemeni politician and academic, highlights the rich history of conflict resolution in Yemen, which has unfortunately failed to address the root causes of the issues, resulting in a continuous cycle of conflict.
In the aftermath of the most devastating war in Yemen's history, al-Beel emphasises the urgent need for a comprehensive and just peace that can save Yemenis from the perpetual vortex of violence and instability.
Al-Beel believes that the upcoming peace must be built on the foundation of a comprehensive and just state that includes all Yemenis, without any exclusion. The primary focus of such a state should be the people's rights and needs, rather than the gains of conflicting parties.
Previous peace projects have failed because they prioritised the future of belligerents and their gains, rather than the needs of the Yemeni people as a whole.
To ensure the sustainability of peace, al-Beel stresses the necessity of disarming all material and moral tools of conflict, as weapons and armed forces in the hands of any party would only undermine the prospects of lasting peace.
Furthermore, political divisions must be transcended, and power should be returned to the people, rather than hoarded by one party over another.
Any settlement should be viewed as a transitional period that prepares the ground for healthy competition among parties that serve the people's interests, rather than continuing to rally people to serve their self-gains.
Al-Beel's vision for a comprehensive and just state that prioritises the rights and needs of all Yemenis offers a hopeful path forward for ending the long-standing cycle of violence and instability in Yemen.
When asked about her recommendations to advance peace, Jarhum highlighted: raising awareness and education levels, building a culture of peace, tolerance, and respect for diversity in the educational curricula.
She also said that the issue of youth groups deprived of development and growth opportunities must be addressed, as poverty is not the sole driver of conflict.
Additionally, she believes that the issue of the South needs to be reached within the framework of comprehensive peace, which must determine the nature of the political, economic, security, and military arrangements that must be made in all stages of peace.
Open-minded dialogue
To succeed in the political process and move from the current situation to a better one, Yemen needs national forces to participate in the stage of dialogue and political negotiations with an open mind that prioritises human interest to achieve a dignified life.
It is also important not to impose conditions or restrictions, and to create space for flexibility.
A mechanism for broad consultation with local communities is necessary to ensure that solutions reflect their aspirations. Furthermore, the role of women must be recognised and supported, as their symbolic participation alone is insufficient.
It is also important not to impose conditions and to create space for flexibility. Furthermore, the role of women must be recognised and supported, as their symbolic participation alone is insufficient.
In summary, Yemen can succeed in the political process by prioritising citizens' interests, creating space for flexibility, consulting local communities, and recognising and supporting the role of women.
These steps are crucial to achieving comprehensive peace and a better future for Yemen.
Prisoner release broke stalemate
According to many Yemenis, the success of the recent prisoner swap deal played a significant role in ending the stalemate that had long plagued talks between the Yemeni government and the Houthis.
The deal gained momentum following the Saudi-Iranian-Chinese agreement to restore relations, as the announcement of the prisoner and Yemeni detainees deal came one day after the Beijing Declaration.
The fact that the deal was executed smoothly further added to its success, as confirmed by Yemeni government officials.
The prisoner exchange operation, launched on 14 April 2023, was one of the largest in the Yemeni crisis in terms of both quantity and quality, resulting in the release of 878 prisoners from all parties.
Freed detainees, released unilaterally by Saudi Arabia, sit at Sanaa Airport after arriving on an International Committee of the Red Cross (ICRC) plane, following three days of prisoner swaps between two sides in the Yemen conflict.
Majid Fadael, Deputy Minister of Yemen's Human Rights Ministry, confirmed that the deal was initiated at the request of the Red Cross and that there were no glitches except for a one-day delay due to logistical and technical arrangements.
Fadael also revealed that the recent deal is part of a larger one involving 2,223 prisoners from all parties, with an agreement reached in March 2022 through indirect negotiations via Zoom, and approval made through the exchange of messages from both parties.
When asked about the relationship between the recent agreement, the ceasefire, and the Saudi-Iranian rapprochement, Fadael explained that the upcoming round of talks, agreed upon to take place on 15 May 2023, will include meetings to release the remaining 1,345 prisoners.
It is clear that the prisoner swap deal played a significant role in breaking the stalemate and creating momentum towards a peaceful resolution to the Yemeni crisis.
#Breaking from #Sweden | In an interview with Asharq Al Awsat, US Ambassador Matthew #Tueller voices respect for Saudi ambassador to Yemen Mohammed Al-Jaber, says he is helpful and presents constructive ideas for peace pic.twitter.com/00j1VwVr7f
On a rainy night in the Swedish capital Stockholm, I remember a striking revelation from the American diplomat Matthew Tueller, the former US ambassador to Yemen. He believed that the Yemeni consultations in 2016 failed because one or more parties were convinced that they could achieve a military victory.
That was at the beginning of December 2018. Tueller went on to become the US special envoy to Yemen, but in that time, there was no change to the Yemeni map, despite the Houthis' futile attempts to seize Marib.
The difference with the recent agreement is that several factors have changed: the guarantors have started to change their roles, and there is now sponsorship for their agreements.
The difference with the recent agreement is that several factors have changed: the guarantors have started to change their roles, and there is now sponsorship for their agreements.
The Yemeni government and the coalition were using a military strategy to achieve peace, while the Houthis were receiving promises from Iran and Hezbollah in their Marib offensive which never fully materialised.
Al-Beel reminds us that real peace is about "removing the causes and tools of the conflict, creating a balance of power equation that engenders development and addresses reality, restoring decision-making to the people, neutralising power, function, influence, and discourse, and quickly addressing urgent priorities."
He adds, "I am confident that the people will rally behind a strong state that cares to address and solve their problems. If this can be achieved then the problems that arose from favourtism will disappear."
