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UN Security Council briefing on Yemen what missed to focus in

REPORTS - 1 month ago

11 Dec UN briefing on Yemen

South Eye | Report - Exclusive

The speech delivered at the United Nations on December 11, 2024, highlights critical issues related to Yemen’s ongoing crisis but leaves glaring omissions, particularly concerning the aspirations of South Yemen. While the focus on Houthi aggression, Iranian interference, and Russia’s alleged complicity addresses immediate threats to international security, it fails to address the deeply rooted issues of self-determination and justice for the people of South Yemen.

The Houthi actions, including their attacks on maritime routes and reliance on Iranian-supplied missiles, pose clear risks to regional and global stability. These acts, amplified by propaganda campaigns, are rightly condemned as reckless and destabilizing. However, the international community's selective acknowledgment of Yemen's complex realities—prioritizing immediate threats while ignoring historical grievances—demonstrates a lack of comprehensive vision. The people of South Yemen, who have long sought to regain their independence, remain marginalized in these discussions.

South Yemen’s history underscores a story of resilience and betrayal. Once an independent state until the ill-fated unification with North Yemen in 1990, South Yemen became a victim of systematic marginalization following the 1994 war. Political exclusion, resource exploitation, and cultural suppression created fertile ground for the south’s ongoing struggle for liberation. This struggle is not just a demand for sovereignty but a quest to reclaim dignity and justice after decades of neglect.

The current dynamics in Yemen show the south’s significance as a strategic and reliable partner. Southern forces have not only liberated vast territories from Houthi control but have also consistently aligned with the Gulf-led coalition, demonstrating their commitment to regional stability. Yet, the lack of international recognition for their cause raises critical questions about the West’s priorities. By ignoring the south’s legitimate aspirations, the West risks alienating a potential ally in one of the world’s most geopolitically significant regions.

This neglect carries consequences. South Yemen’s strategic location at the Bab al-Mandeb Strait makes it a key player in securing international maritime routes. Western inaction could push the south to seek alternative alliances with powers such as China, which is increasingly expanding its influence in the Middle East, through Chinese Road & Belt Initiative. A pivot by South Yemen toward Beijing would not only weaken Western influence but also disrupt the delicate balance of power in the region.

The failure to support South Yemen also undermines the West’s advocacy for democratic values. The south’s struggle embodies the principles of self-determination and justice that Western nations claim to champion. By sidelining this cause, the West risks being perceived as selective defender, eroding its moral authority and credibility in the global arena.

For the West, embracing South Yemen’s cause is not just a moral imperative—it is a strategic necessity. South Yemen’s track record, from its Cold War-era alliance with the Soviet Union to its current cooperation with the Gulf coalition, proves its reliability as a partner. Supporting the south would not only strengthen regional stability but also secure a steadfast ally in countering Iranian expansionism and extremist threats.

The Yemeni crisis cannot be resolved by addressing Houthi aggression alone. A sustainable solution requires acknowledging and addressing the aspirations of all Yemenis, including the people of South Yemen. Their legitimate demands for independence and justice must be integral to any peace process. Continued neglect will not only perpetuate instability but also risk the loss of a crucial ally in the region.

The international community must recognize that the people of South Yemen are not merely passive victims of conflict but active agents of change. Their resilience, sacrifice, and vision for a better future deserve acknowledgment and support. If the West truly values stability and partnership in the Middle East, it must prioritize the south’s aspirations, ensuring that their quest for freedom and justice is no longer ignored.

But with this frustrated approach of continued ignoring the southern people aspirations, the West stands to lose significantly if it continues to overlook the legitimate aspirations of the Southern Yemeni people for independence. The desire of the Southern population for self-determination is not only a matter of human rights enshrined in international law but also carries critical political, economic, and military implications for the global order.

Ignoring this cause risks undermining Western credibility as a defender of human rights and justice. The principle of self-determination is a cornerstone of international law, as outlined in the United Nations Charter and various human rights covenants. The Southern people, with a distinct historical identity and decades of oppression under Northern dominance, have repeatedly demonstrated their desire for independence through peaceful protests and political engagement. By failing to support this cause, the West contradicts its own stated values, damaging its global moral authority and empowering critics who portray it as selectively applying democratic principles.

Politically, neglecting the South's aspirations alienates a potential ally in a region critical to global stability. South Yemen’s strategic location at the Bab al-Mandeb Strait, a chokepoint for international trade and energy supplies, gives it immense geopolitical importance. Supporting a stable, independent South Yemen would ensure Western influence in this pivotal area, countering rival powers like China and Russia, which have shown growing interest in establishing footholds in the region. An isolated and frustrated South may inevitably turn to these powers, weakening Western leverage.

Economically, the West risks missing opportunities tied to South Yemen’s natural resources and maritime economy. The region is rich in oil, gas, and fisheries, which, under an independent and stable government, could be harnessed for mutual economic benefit. International companies would find a more favorable investment climate in a stable South Yemen aligned with Western values and norms. Additionally, the Bab al-Mandeb Strait is critical for global trade, with millions of barrels of oil passing through it daily. Ensuring its security under a cooperative Southern state would safeguard these economic interests.

From a military perspective, the South has already proven its reliability as a partner. Southern forces have been at the forefront of counterterrorism operations and the fight against Houthi expansion. Their cooperation with the Saudi-led coalition highlights their commitment to shared regional goals. However, continued Western indifference could lead to disenchantment, pushing the South to form alliances with less predictable global actors. Such a shift would erode Western military advantages in the region, complicating efforts to secure trade routes and combat extremism.

The cost of ignoring Southern Yemen’s aspirations is not just theoretical—it is a real and immediate threat to Western interests. In a world increasingly defined by multipolar competition, the West cannot afford to lose allies in strategically critical regions. Recognizing and supporting South Yemen’s quest for independence is not merely an act of justice but a pragmatic strategy to ensure long-term political, economic, and military stability in the region. Failure to do so risks ceding ground to rivals and undermining the values the West claims to uphold.

So, from the South, we send our repeated continued call that the South is honestly looking for a positive partnership which brings mutual benefits in all sectors as a reliable ally in so important region in the Middle East.