News
News
Consensus on a Participatory Mechanism for Decision-Making: The Safe Path Forward
Sep 17, 2025
By Dr. Mohammed Al-Zouari
A Political Paralysis Since the Riyadh Agreement
The southern governorates and liberated areas have been stuck in political, economic, and social stagnation since the Riyadh Agreement. This paralysis is no coincidence; it is the product of a temporary political arrangement born out of external pressures and complex circumstances. While the deal between the Southern Transitional Council and Yemen’s legitimate government was meant to confront the Houthi threat, it was never grounded in realities on the ground.
A Distorted Reality, Exploited by Opportunists
Instead of stability, this arrangement created a distorted political environment. It opened the door for opportunistic forces to monopolize power and resources—at the expense of the sacrifices of southerners who gave their lives to liberate their land and push back Persian expansionism, with decisive support from the Arab Coalition led by Saudi Arabia and the UAE.
The South Pays the Highest Price
For any fair observer, one truth is clear: the South has been the greatest victim of this so-called partnership. From Bab al-Mandab to Al-Mahra, southerners see it not as cooperation, but as a noose tightening around their necks. Their determination to break free grows stronger every day. Ending this historic injustice has become a necessity—for the dignity of the South and the stability of the entire region.
A Call for Urgent Restructuring
What is needed now is urgent intervention.
The Coalition and international sponsors must step in to dismantle the current framework and rebuild it on the principles of fairness and equal opportunity. Southerners must be empowered to govern their land, control their resources, and lead their institutions without external guardianship. Only then can long-standing issues be addressed honestly—chief among them, the South’s right to restore its state and reclaim its freedom and dignity under the leadership of the Southern Transitional Council.
The Safe Path Forward
Against this backdrop, the call by the Chairman of the Consultation and Reconciliation Commission to adopt a participatory mechanism for decision-making within the Presidential Leadership Council is more than a proposal—it is the safest path forward. It offers a way to break the deadlock, confront challenges, and prevent dangerous,
