The Office of the Special Envoy of the Secretary-General for Yemen (OSESGY) concluded on 19 December 2024 another round of political dialogues in Amman, Jordan, as part of its ongoing efforts to foster an inclusive and sustainable peace process for Yemen. These dialogues - held from 24 October to 19 December 2024 -  engaged representatives from key Yemeni political parties and entities, ensuring the representation of women, including the General People’s Congress (GPC), Islah, the Southern Transitional Council (STC), the Inclusive Hadhramaut Conference (IHC), the Tihama Peaceful Hirak, the Political Bureau of the National Resistance,  the Change Bloc, Yemeni Gathering Union Party, Liberation Front Party, National Arab Socialist Ba'ath Party, Yemeni Solidarity Party, South Arabian League, the Republican Party, Justice and Building Party, Peace and Development Party, Popular Forces Union Party, Arab Socialist Ba'th Party, and People’s Democratic Party, the Coordination of Southern Forces Participating in the Riyadh Consultations, and its member entities from the Supreme Council for Revolutionary Movement, Al Hirak Al-Musharik, Al Nahda for Change Movement, and Southern National Coalition, among others key entities.

The first round was held from 2 to 23 October 2024 and more information is available here.

Shared Priorities for Building Trust and Advancing Peace

A common thread across discussions was the recognition of the need for an inclusive, Yemeni-led process that prioritizes the population's needs and lays the groundwork for reconciliation and recovery. Participants consistently emphasized the urgency of addressing immediate humanitarian and economic challenges, including public salary payments, reopening key roads, and ensuring equitable access to essential resources. These were framed as vital trust-building measures to pave the way for broader political agreements.

The issue of conflict-related prisoners emerged as a significant concern during the dialogues. Participants emphasized the profound human impact of these detentions, highlighting the suffering of families who continue to wait to be reunited with their captive relatives. While numerous rounds of prisoner exchange meetings have taken place between the parties, results have been limited, leaving many families in prolonged uncertainty. Resolving the prisoners issue, they noted, is not only a pressing humanitarian need but also a critical trust-building measure essential for advancing the broader peace process.

In addition to the conflict-related prisoners, particular concern was expressed for the safety and well-being of numerous members of Civil Society Organisations (CSOs), journalists, and activists detained arbitrarily by the Ansar Allah. Participants underscored the urgency of securing the release of detainees, calling for sustained international pressure.  

Economic recovery was a recurring theme throughout the dialogues, with participants underscoring the urgent need to revive oil and gas exports, ensure transparent revenue management, and address critical infrastructure and service challenges, including electricity and access to clean water. There was broad recognition of the need for innovative and inclusive economic policies to tackle these pressing issues, including through empowering local authorities to meet immediate needs. However, differing views emerged regarding the mechanisms to achieve these goals, reflecting the complexities of Yemen’s diverse political and regional landscape.

Participants widely agreed that economic recovery and the restoration of public services must progress in tandem with political negotiations. Delivering tangible benefits to alleviate the daily hardships faced by Yemenis was seen as crucial—not only to garner public support but also to build trust among parties, providing a stronger foundation for lasting peace.

Concerns were raised about the politicization of economic institutions, with stakeholders emphasizing the importance of safeguarding Yemen’s economy from being further weaponized. Specific discussions highlighted the impact of dual central banks in Aden and Sana'a on Yemen’s economic fragmentation, and the need for standardized passports. Calls were made for immediate humanitarian measures, such as restoring public salary payments and ensuring equitable access to airports, including Riyan and Sana’a.

Security Challenges and the Role of Armed Groups

Security challenges, including the proliferation of armed groups and regional involvement in the conflict, were central to the discussions. Many participants stressed the need for robust international and regional guarantees to ensure the implementation of existing agreements and prevent further escalation. The importance of a comprehensive and enforceable ceasefire was underscored as a prerequisite for any lasting resolution.

The majority of participants stressed the importance of advancing pathways for demilitarization and integrating military structures within a framework aimed at fostering inclusivity and stability. Many underscored the need for security arrangements that prioritize civilian protection and acknowledge Yemen’s regional diversity. However, differing views surfaced concerning the specifics of such a framework and its correlation to the future structure of the state. Some parties expressed reservations, advocating for alternative approaches to ensure fair representation and balance within military institutions.

Moreover, the participants stressed that an overemphasis on armed groups risks perpetuating a narrative that conflates political legitimacy with the possession of military power. This approach, they warned, undermines efforts to rebuild trust and alienates critical segments of Yemeni society. The dialogues highlighted that many underrepresented groups—who have endured the greatest hardships and challenges of the conflict—offer unique perspectives and solutions that are grounded in local realities and community resilience.

Diverse Perspectives and Areas of Disagreement

In addition to areas of consensus, the ongoing dialogues—designed as brainstorming sessions to capture and understand the wide range of perspectives on Yemen’s future—also highlighted the intricate and, at times, conflicting views influenced by the country’s political, social, and regional complexities.

The Southern Question emerged as a particularly sensitive and multifaceted issue. Participants acknowledged the need for a dedicated framework to address southern grievances, ensuring representation that reflects the South’s unique history and aspirations. Some advocated for a unified southern voice to engage effectively in the peace process, emphasizing the importance of preventing fragmented representation. Others underscored the necessity of addressing the economic and governance challenges in southern regions to build trust and enhance local stability.

The issue of resource management and revenue-sharing drew contrasting opinions. While many emphasized the need for equitable distribution of resources to foster development and address regional disparities, some advocated for greater self-administration of resources in specific areas, arguing that localized management could better address the unique needs and priorities of those regions. However, others expressed reservations about granting certain areas greater control, cautioning that such moves might risk fragmenting national unity.

The question of military reforms proved particularly polarizing. The parties diverged on how to sequence military and political measures to build lasting peace. Some emphasized the need for unifying Yemen’s fragmented military forces as a foundation for political progress, while others argued that political agreements must precede any significant security restructuring. There were also discussions highlighting the linkage between the political and military tracks. Regional actors’ involvement further complicates the picture, with participants expressing differing views on their role in shaping Yemen’s security landscape and their impact on the balance of power within the country. This debate highlighted the ongoing tensions between ensuring accountability and fostering inclusivity in the pursuit of a sustainable resolution, particularly regarding whether military arrangements shaped by the current power holders could achieve justice and equitable representation.

Similarly, while the concept of reaching a roadmap for peace garnered general support, participants expressed varied expectations about its scope and implementation. Some stressed the importance of building on earlier agreements, such as those made in Kuwait and Stockholm, to establish continuity, while others called for innovative approaches that better reflect the current dynamics and lessons learned from past efforts.

These diverse and at times conflicting positions underscored the complexities of Yemen’s challenges, reflecting the deeply rooted issues at play. Yet, they also reaffirmed the critical value of inclusive dialogues as a platform to navigate these differences, bridge divides, and chart a shared path forward toward peace.

Moving Forward

The participants called for a political framework that acknowledges and includes the views of unarmed political movements, local governance structures, and community representatives who have a long history of working for Yemen’s development and stability. They noted that sidelining such actors in favor of negotiating solely with those currently holding power on the ground diminishes the broader legitimacy of any potential settlement.

As these brainstorming dialogues continue, OSESGY will incorporate the insights shared into its ongoing mediation efforts and advocacy for an inclusive, sustainable peace process. The Office highlighted that progress requires unity, inclusivity, and a commitment to addressing the grievances and aspirations of Yemenis.

OSESGY extends its gratitude to the Hashemite Kingdom of Jordan for continuous support in hosting these vital discussions, which mark a meaningful step forward in Yemen’s journey toward a Yemeni-owned political process.