Tribal leaders from the Tha'in tribe in Hadhramaut province (eastern Yemen) have presented an initiative to Governor Mabkhout Mubarak bin Madi, aiming to resolve the ongoing dispute between the provincial authority and the Hadhramaut Tribes Alliance. The conflict has escalated to the point of tribal blockades on main roads, hindering the movement of fuel trucks within the province.

The initiative, titled "Unifying the Ranks," was presented on Tuesday, September 17, 2024, during a meeting between the governor and tribal dignitaries in Al-Mukalla, the provincial capital. It outlines several steps to de-escalate tensions and establish a dialogue platform.

Key points of the initiative include:

• A comprehensive ceasefire: Guaranteeing the safety and security of all parties.
• Removal of all unofficial checkpoints: Handing them over to the Hadhramaut Elite Forces.
• A comprehensive conference: Bringing together the Hadhramaut General Conference, the Hadhramaut Tribes Alliance, the local authority, other stakeholders, and tribal leaders to define and address the demands of Hadhramaut's people.
• Updating the demands of Hadhramaut: Ensuring they represent the interests of all citizens and sharing them with the entire population.

The Tha'in tribal leaders emphasized the importance of unity and dialogue, highlighting the potential consequences of continued discord.

"We came from the lowlands, sensing the gravity of the situation," said Mohammed Saeed Al-Jariri, a prominent figure from the Tha'in tribe. "We will listen to the head of the local authority and then we will go to the highlands. We will strive for good and unity, and we will speak our minds truthfully. We warn that our people could become victims of a conspiracy that begins with fuel. We also warn against a conspiracy that might target the dream of Hadhramaut, the Hadhramaut Elite Forces, which are the dream of Hadhramaut."

Al-Jariri expressed concern that the current situation could lead to chaos and instability, highlighting Hadhramaut's historical support for institutional and legal frameworks. He emphasized the need for unity to secure the legitimate rights and demands of Hadhramaut in upcoming political negotiations.

Governor bin Madi affirmed the provincial authority's commitment to upholding the state's institutions and the rule of law, emphasizing the importance of maintaining order and serving the people's interests. He welcomed the initiative, stating that the authority will remain open to any proposals that promote unity and address the demands of Hadhramaut.

The governor outlined the challenges facing the province, including the disruption of resources due to the ongoing war and the Houthi attacks on the Dhaba oil facilities. He acknowledged the impact of these events on the unity of Hadhramaut's people and highlighted the efforts of the local authority to resolve the situation and unite the community.

The governor also expressed concern about actions that could undermine the province's strategic development projects and urged all segments of society to come together and support their rights and demands.

The Unified Council of Eastern Governorates (Hadhramaut, Mahra, Shabwa, and Socotra) recently issued a warning to the Yemeni Presidential Leadership Council regarding the delay in addressing the demands of Hadhramaut's people, particularly those related to equitable power-sharing and resource distribution.

The council's memorandum, signed by Abdulhadi Al-Tamimi, head of the preparatory committee for the Unified Council of Eastern Governorates, emphasized the need for swift action to address the demands of Hadhramaut, including a "fair partnership and equitable distribution of power and wealth," and active participation in the final resolution of the Yemeni crisis, adhering to the three references.

The memorandum held the Presidential Leadership Council responsible for addressing these demands, warning of the potentially serious consequences and negative impact on the lives, livelihoods, and security of the people of Hadhramaut and other governorates in the region.

The current tensions in Hadhramaut stem from a power struggle between the local authority, represented by Governor Mabkhout bin Madi, and the head of the Hadhramaut General Conference and the Tribes Alliance, Amro bin Habrish.

In response to the situation, the head of the Presidential Leadership Council, Rashad Al-Alimi, recently ordered the formation of a presidential committee to examine the demands of Hadhramaut's people and propose solutions.