Breakthrough in Yemeni crisis: Broad Arab and international support to implement Riyadh Agreement

Amira Sherif

With the issuance of a decision to form a new Yemeni government and name its members after reviewing the constitution of Yemen, the initiative of the Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC), the outcomes of the comprehensive national dialogue, and the Riyadh Agreement, the decision won great Arab and international welcome due to the stability it established in the war-torn Arab country.

“We have high confidence in the sincere fraternal support of our brothers in the Kingdom and the countries of the Coalition to Support Legitimacy,” said the head of the new Yemeni government, Maeen Abdulmalik, through his official account on Twitter, adding that the announced government faces historical responsibilities and urgent and arduous tasks that require serious and resolute work, a broad national vision and a clear political program, a sound economy, and solid will to complete the end of the coup, restore the state and stability, build institutions, develop resources, confront corruption and improve services.

On the level of Arab and international reactions, the Saudi Ministry of Foreign Affairs welcomed the implementation of the Riyadh Agreement, announcing in a statement that it welcomes the announced formation of a government of political competencies that includes all components of the Yemeni spectrum after the military arrangements for the exit of the military forces from outside the Aden governorate, and the separation of the military forces in Abyan and transferring them to their elected positions.

The United Arab Emirates also welcomed the implementation of the Riyadh Agreement between the legitimate Yemeni government and the Southern Transitional Council, and the announced formation of a government of political competencies in Yemen, expressing in a statement its hope that this will be a step on the way to achieving a political solution and accelerating the payment of paths to ending the Yemeni crisis. A statement by the Ministry of Foreign Affairs also appreciated the pivotal role of the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia in implementing the Riyadh Agreement, and its support for everything that serves the interest of the Yemeni people and contributes to its stability and security.

The UAE Ministry of Foreign Affairs renewed its commitment to stand by the Yemeni people and support their legitimate aspirations for development, prosperity, peace and stability in Yemen, within the framework of its policy of support for everything that achieves the interest of the peoples of the region.

The Arab Parliament, through its president, Adel bin Abdulrahman Al-Asoumi, welcomed the announcement of the formation of the new Yemeni political competencies government and congratulated Yemeni President Abd Rabbu Mansour Hadi and the parties to the Riyadh Agreement and the Yemeni people for forming the new government.

The Arab Parliament stressed the importance of this pivotal and historic step in restoring security and stability in the Republic of Yemen, unifying the Yemeni ranks, activating state institutions, and creating an atmosphere for the new government to implement development projects in the liberated areas in a way that benefits the brotherly Yemeni people and alleviates their suffering.

On the same level, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Bahrain expressed that the Kingdom welcomes the implementation of the Riyadh Agreement as an important step to consolidate and unify Yemeni efforts to confront the Iranian-backed Houthi militia and to achieve the aspirations of the brotherly Yemeni people for security, peace and stability.

GCC Secretary-General Nayef al-Hajraf also welcomed the decision to form the Yemeni government from various Yemeni political components, headed by Abdulmalik, stressing the keenness of the GCC states to restore security and stability in Yemen and the council’s support for the efforts of the United Nations aimed at reaching a comprehensive political solution to the crisis in Yemen in accordance with the Gulf Initiative and its implementation mechanism, the outcomes of the comprehensive national dialogue, and Security Council Resolution 2216.

Egypt, Britain, and UN Special Envoy to Yemen Martin Griffiths also welcomed the announcement of the formation of the new Yemeni government headed by Abdulmalik.

In a statement, Ambassador Ahmed Hafez, the spokesman for the Egyptian Ministry of Foreign Affairs, expressed Egypt’s welcome to the announced formation of a government of Yemeni political competencies in implementation of the provisions of the Riyadh Agreement.

The spokesman valued the efforts of the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia in sponsoring the implementation of the Riyadh Agreement and continuing to support efforts for a political solution to the Yemeni crisis, praising the Yemeni parties’ keenness to advance Yemen’s interest and achieve the aspirations of its brotherly people towards ending the protracted crisis in the country in an effort to restore security and stability and achieve the desired development.

Meanwhile, British Foreign Secretary Dominic Raab said in a tweet on the ministry’s account that this is an important step towards implementing the Riyadh Agreement between the Yemeni government and the Southern Transitional Council, and another step toward peace that the Yemenis desperately need.

For his part, UN Special Envoy Martin Griffiths congratulated Yemeni President Hadi and all parties concerned with implementing the Riyadh Agreement, including the formation of the new government. He also congratulated the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia for the success of its mediation efforts in this regard, wishing success to new Prime Minister Abdulmalik and his government.

The Jordanian Ministry of Foreign Affairs also welcomed the implementation of the provisions of the Riyadh Agreement, and the ministry’s spokesperson, Dhaifallah Al-Fayez, expressed the Kingdom’s appreciation of the efforts of all parties and the national interest, as well as the efforts of the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia in sponsoring the implementation of the terms of the agreement.