After a slew of failures, the United Nations is trying again for peace in Yemen. The UN envoy for Yemen Ould Cheikh Ahmed met President Abd-Rabbu Mansour Hadi yesterday to discuss prospects for peace talks between his government and the Houthi forces. It is the first time the envoy has paid an official visit to Aden, which Hadi declared his temporary capital after the Gulf-backed government forces seized it from the rebels a few months ago.
Cheikh Ahmed’s talks with Hadi were aimed at laying the groundwork for a new round of talks in the Swiss city of Geneva. Hadi’s office said they welcomed the UN efforts, and this means the talks are likely to take off if the rebels too agree. “Despite the suffering and wounds, our hands are always outstretched for peace based on national and humanitarian responsibilities towards our people,” Hadi was quoted as saying by the media.
But pessimism is more in circulation than optimism. Previous talks failed because the warring parties wouldn’t stop fighting and unfortunately, the situation isn’t different this time too. Talks are ineffective as long as both sides remain determined and aim at a military solution. The rebels must first withdraw from the territory they have captured and must accept the authority of the government in Sanaa which is the internationally recognised government of Yemen. The Houthis must realise that they will not be able to form a government because they will not be able to take control of the whole country and any government they form will lack legitimacy and will face international sanctions. The Houthis also need to honour the terms of past agreements. The government is saying the rebels are refusing to withdraw from main cities as required by a UN Security Council Resolution passed in March.
The Houthis removed Hadi from power in February and the Gulf countries, led by Saudi Arabia, were forced to intervene to reinstate Hadi. The rebels are supported by Iran, which has complicated this war.
Trust is the basic prerequisite for any talks, but unfortunately now there is plenty of mistrust. Cheikh Ahmed has many challenges ahead. Getting the two sides to the negotiating table will not be difficult, but getting them to continue talking will definitely be. The biggest challenge will be to make the Houthis see reason. “The government is ready for talks but the other side isn’t, and its actions on the ground contradict their statements that they support a peaceful solution,” says a government official.
More than 5,700 people have died since the war started in Yemen and the number is still rising. The country is in ruins, and an already impoverished people are being pushed deeper into deprivation and penury•
After a slew of failures, the United Nations is trying again for peace in Yemen. The UN envoy for Yemen Ould Cheikh Ahmed met President Abd-Rabbu Mansour Hadi yesterday to discuss prospects for peace talks between his government and the Houthi forces. It is the first time the envoy has paid an official visit to Aden, which Hadi declared his temporary capital after the Gulf-backed government forces seized it from the rebels a few months ago.
Cheikh Ahmed’s talks with Hadi were aimed at laying the groundwork for a new round of talks in the Swiss city of Geneva. Hadi’s office said they welcomed the UN efforts, and this means the talks are likely to take off if the rebels too agree. “Despite the suffering and wounds, our hands are always outstretched for peace based on national and humanitarian responsibilities towards our people,” Hadi was quoted as saying by the media.
But pessimism is more in circulation than optimism. Previous talks failed because the warring parties wouldn’t stop fighting and unfortunately, the situation isn’t different this time too. Talks are ineffective as long as both sides remain determined and aim at a military solution. The rebels must first withdraw from the territory they have captured and must accept the authority of the government in Sanaa which is the internationally recognised government of Yemen. The Houthis must realise that they will not be able to form a government because they will not be able to take control of the whole country and any government they form will lack legitimacy and will face international sanctions. The Houthis also need to honour the terms of past agreements. The government is saying the rebels are refusing to withdraw from main cities as required by a UN Security Council Resolution passed in March.
The Houthis removed Hadi from power in February and the Gulf countries, led by Saudi Arabia, were forced to intervene to reinstate Hadi. The rebels are supported by Iran, which has complicated this war.
Trust is the basic prerequisite for any talks, but unfortunately now there is plenty of mistrust. Cheikh Ahmed has many challenges ahead. Getting the two sides to the negotiating table will not be difficult, but getting them to continue talking will definitely be. The biggest challenge will be to make the Houthis see reason. “The government is ready for talks but the other side isn’t, and its actions on the ground contradict their statements that they support a peaceful solution,” says a government official.
More than 5,700 people have died since the war started in Yemen and the number is still rising. The country is in ruins, and an already impoverished people are being pushed deeper into deprivation and penury•
