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التالى السابق

A Realistic Path to Stability: Embracing the Two-State Solution in Yemen

REPORTS - 17 day ago

South Eye | Report

The call for a two-state solution in Yemen is not a call for division, but rather an appeal to realism—an acknowledgment of the facts on the ground and a step toward restoring hope to a nation long fractured by conflict. More than three decades after the forced unification of North and South Yemen represented by 1994 invasion, the union has failed to deliver peace, development, or national cohesion. Instead, it has contributed to recurrent wars, widespread corruption, and systemic marginalization, especially in the South.

Today, the Southern Transitional Council operates as the de facto authority across large swathes of south Yemen. It maintains security, engages in governance, and commands local and regional legitimacy—something the internationally recognized government has failed to achieve from its exile. Pretending Yemen is still a unified, functioning state under a central authority only prolongs suffering and hinders any real peace process. A two-state solution, reflective of Yemen’s historical and cultural divides, could be the first genuine step toward ending the cycle of violence, war and instability.

Moreover, the nature of the threats facing Yemen and the broader region demand a reassessment of alliances and strategic calculations. The Houthi militias, now designated as a terrorist organization by several governments, continues to pose a direct threat to regional stability and global maritime routes. But what compounds this danger is their covert cooperation with factions of the Muslim Brotherhood, particularly Yemen’s Islah Party. Together, these groups have developed networks involved in arms trafficking and narcotics smuggling, exploiting lawless territories and weak borders to fund their operations and expand their influence.

These criminal collaborations not only embolden the Houthis militarily but also deepen the chaos in the region, making diplomatic solutions even more elusive. While international efforts have focused on diplomacy with the Houthis and political inclusion for the Brotherhood, such approaches overlook their destabilizing behavior and their disregard for legal and humanitarian norms.

Addressing Yemen’s crisis therefore requires a more grounded strategy—one that recognizes south Yemen’s right to state restoring on pre-1990 borders, and treats the Southern Transitional Council as a legitimate and necessary partner. Stability in the Red Sea, the Gulf of Aden, and the Horn of Africa hinges on partnerships that are practical, locally accepted, and strategically aligned with global security interests.

By supporting a two-state solution and investing in responsible southern institutions, the international community can begin to roll back the influence of terrorist networks, restore hope to the two state population, and secure one of the world’s most vital maritime arteries.