All factors for peace negotiation in Yemen are already exist. All internal and external parties are aware that a military solution has become difficult after seven years of war, and even if it exists, it will be limited. There is no alternative to direct negotiations. As well as human and environmental factors push toward peace. The humanitarian situation is very difficult because of the war that led to the collapse of the national currency. In addition to the refugees who were forced by the war to leave their homes and farms, their only source of income. Also, the disaster of the oil tanker Safer, which threatens the shores of the Red Sea, the only source of food for fishermen in those areas
As well as external factors that help to start serious peace negotiations in Yemen. The administration of US President Biden appointed a special representative for peace, as did Sweden. There is an international and regional consensus on peace. Despite the war in Ukraine, the world is still pressing for peace, and the Security Council is still united in this regard
The other and important factor is that the legitimate government includes all the active forces through the Presidential Council, which are fighting to restore the rule of law and the constitution
With all these factors, peace negotiations are still far away, so what are the reasons for that
There are many reasons, but the most important one, in my opinion, is the management of the peace process file by the international mediator
Instead of holding a comprehensive negotiation for a settlement, the United Nations worked to divide the problems of the conflict and keep them away from the core issue, which is the Houthi coup. The UN has made negotiations and agreements for each problem in isolation from the other, definitely away from the core issue
The Hodeidah Agreement is one example. It was an opportunity to pressure the parties to find a comprehensive settlement, but the United Nations brought the parties together to solve the problem of the Hodeidah ports in order to prevent a humanitarian catastrophe. The Stockholm Agreement was agreed upon, and in one of its clauses is written: This agreement is not considered a precedent to be referred to in any subsequent consultations or negotiations. In other words, the agreement is independent of any future agreements, as the city of Hodeidah has been isolated from the main problem, which is a just and comprehensive peace agreement
This approach continues to this day. The opening of airports and the mechanism for issuing passports was done in the same manner, isolating these problems from a comprehensive solution. Currently, we hear that there are negotiations to unify the Central Bank, as a result of the approach taken by the United Nations
There is no doubt that these agreements have advantages, especially in addressing the humanitarian concerns. At the same time, all those agreements are in danger of collapsing at any moment, for one reason that they did not enter into the core of the problem, which is a comprehensive negotiation. Instead of exploiting these conditions and factors for a direct dialogue that solves all problems and leads to a final agreement. These differences are now being separated by different and separate talks and agreements that isolate them from each other and further away from the final solution. It took us months to open Sanaa airport, and then months for the passport agreement. How much time do we want to open the main roads in Taiz? How much valuable time and ? resources for agreeing one issue A and B and C, etc
What is currently happening indicates that the international approach is not interested in comprehensive peace negotiations in Yemen, the aim is managing the war with agreements here and there. As consequence of this approach, the war will not end soon. There is no alternative to direct dialogue that discusses all issues with a clear goal, which is to reach an peace settlement. Without this, it is an adventure into the unknown
