Barran Press
On Wednesday, October 23, 2024, the Office of the UN Special Envoy for Yemen emphasized the urgent need to abandon the zero-sum approach to safeguard the country's economy from further deterioration. The office stated that "positive signals must be translated into concrete actions that benefit the Yemeni people."
This message was part of a monthly briefing published on their website, detailing political dialogues initiated earlier this month with various Yemeni stakeholders as part of ongoing efforts to build momentum toward a peaceful resolution of the conflict.
The envoy's office noted that these meetings, held in Amman, Jordan, included discussions with representatives from the Rashad Party, the Nasserist Union Organization, the Yemeni Socialist Party, and civil society representatives.
During these discussions, there was broad consensus on the necessity of transparency and inclusive dialogue to create a roadmap for Yemen's future. Political actors and civil society representatives stressed the urgent need for economic recovery and immediate humanitarian response, highlighting that critical issues such as salary payments and the reopening of main roads cannot be postponed until a political settlement is reached.
The office reiterated that addressing these pressing issues is essential to gain public support and alleviate the suffering of Yemenis. It also highlighted that economic recovery and humanitarian response are urgent priorities for the Yemeni people, necessitating a focus on their economic needs within the peace process to win public backing. Participants emphasized the importance of not sidelining economic discussions in political and security dialogues.
According to the briefing, the envoy's office updated parties on progress made in addressing key economic issues raised in recent discussions, based on an agreement reached on July 23, which aimed to separate economic concerns from political agendas and foster cooperation rather than competition.
The UN envoy's office stated that discussions would continue with Yemeni political parties and civil society groups, including youth, women, and marginalized communities, over the coming weeks and into 2025. They emphasized their commitment to incorporating insights from these dialogues and advocating for solutions that reflect the needs and aspirations of the Yemeni people.
On December 23 of last year, the UN announced that Yemeni parties had reached agreements to commit to a series of measures, including a nationwide ceasefire and actions to improve living conditions in Yemen, alongside preparations to resume an inclusive political process under UN auspices.
However, the peace roadmap has faced setbacks due to Houthi attacks on commercial shipping in the Red Sea, Arabian Sea, and Gulf of Aden since November of last year.