23 Oct2024 - OSESGY continues political dialogues in Amman to advance Yemen’s peace process

Amman, 23 October 2024 - On 2 October, the Office of the Special Envoy of the Secretary General for Yemen (OSESGY) initiated a series of political dialogues with Yemeni actors as part of its ongoing efforts to build momentum towards a peaceful and inclusive resolution to the conflict in Yemen. These meetings, held in Amman, Jordan, have so far included discussions with representatives of the Rashad Party, the Nasserite Party, and the Yemeni Socialist Party as well as civil society groups.

During these meetings, there emerged a broad consensus on the need for transparency and inclusive discussions towards a roadmap.  The political and civil society actors amplified the urgency of economic recovery and immediate humanitarian relief, highlighting that these critical issues—such as the payment of salaries and the reopening of vital roads—cannot be delayed until a political settlement is reached. They stressed that addressing these pressing concerns is essential to gaining public support and alleviating the suffering of ordinary Yemenis. 

During the dialogues, each actor presented unique perspectives on the ongoing peace efforts. Among the issues were the importance of political inclusivity, with a strong emphasis on the notion that "Yemen’s political future must be owned by Yemenis, without exclusion," and the need for clearer communication regarding the roadmap process.

Regarding the political process, there was a strong call to address the root causes of Yemen’s conflict through a phased approach to the transition process, focusing on restoring state institutions and ensuring the withdrawal of armed groups. The participants also emphasized the need for a clear framework for the roadmap, highlighting the importance of building on the past progress like the talks in Kuwait in 2016. During the discussions, OSESGY briefed the participants on the commitments reached between the Parties in December 2023, with the support of Saudi Arabia and Oman, including among others; a nationwide ceasefire, salary payments, resumption of oil exports, opening of roads, the withdrawal of non-Yemeni forces and the initiation of a Yemeni- led political process under UN auspices, aimed at achieving a lasting solution. The Office briefed on efforts to operationalize these commitments in the Roadmap and noted how developments—particularly the attacks in the Red Sea and growing regional tensions—have narrowed its mediation space, delaying progress. While recognizing the regional challenges, OSESGY stressed the importance of continued dialogue on moving forward and critical confidence building steps. Yemeni people’s vision and contributions remain key to shaping the next steps.

In addition, economic recovery and humanitarian relief were stressed as immediate priorities for Yemenis, suggesting that the peace process must address economic needs as a priority to gain public support. It was argued that the economic file should not be secondary to political and security discussions. 

OSESGY briefed the parties on the progress made in addressing key economic issues raised during recent discussions with interlocutors. Building on the July 23 understanding, these efforts have focused on de-politicizing the economy and fostering collaboration over competition. OSESGY emphasized the importance of shifting away from a zero-sum mind-set notion to protect the economy from further escalation. While acknowledging each side’s constructive engagement, OSESGY stressed that positive signals must translate into concrete actions that benefit the Yemeni people.

On the security front, the political parties raised concerns about the growing involvement of regional and external actors, stressing the need for strong international and regional guarantees to ensure that agreements are respected. Without such guarantees, they warned of the potential for further destabilization, particularly given regional escalations in the Red Sea and beyond. In turn, OSESGY briefed on its engagement with the Military Coordination Committee and local actors on the basis of the OSESGY-led Ceasefire Concept that focuses on de-escalation and planning. The exchange also covered a range of security-related topics that need to be discussed in the security track.

In addition to the messages voiced by the political parties, civil society actors raised the issue of detainees, including those from the UN, international NGOs, local civil society organizations, and diplomatic missions, as a matter of significant concern. Civil society representatives underscored the deep human impact of the detainee issue beyond politics. Families continue to suffer as their loved ones remain in captivity, and there is an urgent need for immediate action, accompanied by sustained international pressure, to secure their release. Addressing this issue is seen as essential for building trust and advancing efforts toward a meaningful peace process.

More discussions will follow in the coming weeks and into 2025 with Yemeni political parties and entities, and Yemeni civil society groups, including youth, women, and marginalized people. OSESGY will continue to focus on incorporating the insights gained into its discussions with the Parties and advocating for solutions shaped by Yemeni perspectives and needs.

OSESGY extends its appreciation to the Hashemite Kingdom of Jordan for hosting and facilitating these important meetings, contributing significantly to advancing the dialogue for peace in Yemen.