Go back

The European Institute of Peace concludes second round of southern Yemeni dialogue

23/10/2024

Southern Dialogue Process in Yemen

This document was produced as part of an ongoing dialogue project facilitated by the European Institute of Peace to foster trust and convergence between political components in Southern Yemen and to support the efforts of the UN Special Envoy for Yemen.

Facilitator’s Summary

  1. The European Institute of Peace held the second round of dialogue among several political forces in southern Yemen in the period from 12–14 October 2024 at the Dead Sea in the Hashemite Kingdom of Jordan. Representatives from the following entities participated in the dialogue: Supreme Council of Southern Revolutionary Movement (Hirak), Nahdha (Renaissance) Movement for Peaceful Change, Southern Movement (Hirak) Participating in the National Dialogue Conference, Hadhramaut Inclusive Conference, Southern National Coalition, United Alliance of the People of Shabwa, Hadhramaut National Council, Shabwa National General Council, General Council of the People of al-Mahra & Soqotra, and Southern Women for Peace Group.
  2. The participants reviewed developments in the south and in Yemen in general with its various political, economic, social, and security dimensions, the relationship between the governorates and the central authority, the future shape of the state, building institutions in Yemen, the principles of managing and sharing the revenues from natural resources, and the political representation of southern Yemenis, including in state institutions, how to coordinate between the political forces participating in the dialogue, and the possibility of involving other southern Yemeni political forces. They also discussed the issues that could be addressed in the upcoming sessions of the dialogue.
  3. Despite the decline in armed violence in some areas of Yemen, participants stressed the seriousness of the deterioration of the political, security, economic, and social conditions, as well as the significant decline in the exchange rate and services provided to citizens, especially in southern Yemen.
Photo: A gathering of several political forces in southern Yemen at the Dead Sea in the Hashemite Kingdom of Jordan. © European Institute of Peace
  1. The participants stressed the need to strengthen political dialogue with the aim of formulating a vision for the future of Yemen around which society with its various components can rally within a federal framework in which governorates enjoy broad prerogatives.
  2. The participants agreed that the governorates have the right to decide and shape their future in a manner that satisfies their people within the framework of the principle of respecting political pluralism and as expressed in their laws, in implementation of the principle of decentralisation of power and wealth, which was approved in previous dialogues.
  3. The participants agreed in principle on the importance of establishing a consultative framework among the political forces participating in the dialogue and to continue to consult to agree on the principles, objectives and common interests that would contribute to advancing this framework.
  4. The participants agreed to establish contact groups to consult in the next stage with the political forces in southern Yemen that did not participate in the dialogue, as well as regional and international forces and organisations concerned with developments in the Yemeni situation, especially in southern Yemen. The European Institute of Peace will consult with the participants to achieve this objective in the coming period.
  5. The participants stressed the need for the political components of southern Yemen to be represented in the political process and upcoming negotiations in a framework of partnership with various Yemeni political forces.
  6. The participants stressed the importance of the support of regional powers to peace efforts in Yemen, and called on the United Nations to enhance its efforts on the political settlement, while stressing the importance of urgently reaching confidence-building measures, including on the issues of prisoners and detainees.
  7. The participants expressed their rejection of inter-governorate domination and the ongoing change in the civil nature in southern Yemen for the purpose of power and wealth dominance and imposing it by force.
  8. The participants requested the European Institute of Peace to work on holding the next round of dialogue or consultative meetings in southern Yemen if the necessary conditions are fulfilled and to ensure the continuation of the dialogue within the framework held so far.
  9. In light of what the participating political forces noted about the lack of clarity in the international community’s appreciation of the developments in the situation in southern Yemen, the participants requested the European Institute of Peace to convey their assessment and positions to European countries and other partners of the Institute that are interested in the developments in the situation in southern Yemen.
  10. The participants requested the European Institute of Peace to examine the possibility of holding a workshop in partnership with international economic institutions and organisations interested in Yemeni economic developments to discuss ways to advance development efforts in its various dimensions there and in southern Yemen in particular.
  11. The participants rejected the use of force for political gain as well as practices of forced disappearance, human rights violations, and restrictions on political activities.
  12. A meeting was held for the participants on the sidelines of the dialogue with the Deputy UN Special Envoy to Yemen, as well as with the Yemeni Ambassador to Jordan, the Special Representative of the Kingdom of Norway, and the Ambassador of the European Union to Yemen to exchange views on developments in the situation in Yemen and in southern Yemen in particular.

This document has been produced with the financial assistance of the European Union. The contents of this document are the sole responsibility of the European Institute of Peace and can under no circumstances be regarded as reflecting the position of the European Union