16 December 2023: In a series of discussion sessions titled “The Form of the Yemeni State and its Impact on War and Peace,” hosted by the state-building track within the National Reconciliation Movement (NRM), leaders of political parties, civil society representatives from the National Dialogue Conference (NDC), experts, and public opinion are to be hosted to explore a systematic vision for sustainable peace in Yemen.
The first session featured Dr. Abdul Rahman Al-Saqqaf, Secretary-General of the Yemeni Socialist Party, who emphasized the role of disagreements over the Yemeni state’s form in triggering the crisis that led to war. Al-Saqqaf shared insights into the Yemeni Socialist Party’s stance on the ongoing situation and highlighted the crucial role of civil forces in shaping Yemen’s future, even amid challenges.
Moderated by Dr. Nadia Al-Sakkaf, a member of NRM’s supervisory council, the discussion highlighted the historical context, with Al-Saqqaf explaining how the 1994 war coalition’s resurgence at the NDC, refusing to relinquish control of the center, exacerbated historical grievances for political gain.
Al-Saqqaf underlined the significance of the Joint Meeting Parties’ transition to the government in 2011, leaving a vacuum in the opposition that ultimately contributed to a coup by the forces that filled this vacuum. He stressed the need for civil forces in Yemen to persist in their efforts to restore political stability, citing the National Reconciliation Movement as a positive example.
Encouraging civil forces not to disregard their strengths and to adopt an optimistic approach rooted in national will, Al-Saqqaf expressed confidence that, with continued efforts, the political landscape could transform within a few years.