Overview

The Legitimate Government of Yemen signed a deal with the Southern Transitional Council (STC) on Tuesday, November 5th 2019 in Riyadh, under the patronage of The Custodian of the Two Holy Mosques King Salman bin Abdulaziz Al Saud, and His Royal Highness Prince Mohammed bin Salman bin Abdulaziz, Crown Prince, Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Defense. The signing ceremony was attended by Yemeni President Abd Rabbo Mansour Hadi, Crown Prince of Abu Dhabi and Deputy Supreme Commander of the UAE Armed Forces Sheikh Mohammed bin Zayed Al Nahyan, and Head of the Southern Transitional Council Aidarus Al-Zoubaidi.

The agreement focuses on ending a power struggle over the control of the South that risked further fragmenting Yemen. It came in response to the Kingdom’s call for constructive dialogue, earnest engagement, greater unity, and an immediate cessation of hostilities.

This past August witnessed an increase in clashes between the STC and government forces. Since September 2019, the two parties have held indirect talks mediated by Saudi Arabia in Jeddah, which culminated in the deal signed in Riyadh. This pivotal agreement paves the way for a sustainable political settlement and ensures the return of much needed stability in the South of Yemen.

The agreement reaffirms Saudi Arabia’s diplomatic, economic and military support for the people of Yemen, and demonstrates the Kingdom’s commitment to achieving a lasting peace in Yemen, based on UNSC Resolution 2216, the GCC initiative, the outcomes of the National Dialogue.