United Nations Envoy to Yemen Martin Griffiths held a meeting with Saada tribal leaders in the Saudi capital Riyadh, informing them that Yemeni consultations are scheduled to launch after the Adha holiday.
Khawlan tribe leader and member of the Saada province council Sheikh Abdulkhaliq Bashr told Asharq Al-Awsat that the meeting with Griffiths was intended to inform the international community about the suffering of Yemenis in Saada and their denial of rightful political representation.
Bashr pointed out that the current insurgency which brought about chaos and bloodshed nationwide had sprung out from Saada, which is controlled by the Iran-backed Houthi militias.
It is necessary to include Saada in future peace deals otherwise Yemen’s problems will never end and they will reemerge in the future, he warned.
“We have been keen to put forward several issues, notably grievances held by Saada since their displacement in 2008 and until this very day, and the inhumane recruitment of children in schools,” said Bashr.
He said that the elders of Saada demanded that the UN envoy pressure Houthis to apply the rule of law and enforce values of coexistence.
Bashr confirmed that the elders of Saada demanded a thorough investigation as to why locals have been excluded from past political discussions, especially during UN consultations held by former special envoys, national dialogue meetings held in Sanaa, or recent talks in Kuwait.
As for the outcome of the meetings, Bashr explained that Saada elders said that Griffiths expressed understanding towards arguments and insights presented by the tribal chiefs on humanitarian issues in Yemen.
He promised that Saada's grievance will be one of the main topics discussed in upcoming consultations.
Bashr confirmed that Griffiths expressed his rejection of Houthi media promoting the notion of Saada being a bargaining chip in future negotiations, stressing that such an issue has not been raised.
He also said Saada is being treated like any other Yemeni province and that the UN wants to solve problems in all Yemeni cities and governorates without exception.
