Saudi Arabia’s Ambassador to Yemen Mohammed bin Saeed Al-Jaber reaffirmed on Saturday that the Kingdom, leading the Arab coalition backing the official government in the war-torn country, continues to work with each party of the Riyadh Agreement.
The Riyadh Agreement is a Saudi-sponsored conflict settlement that was cosigned by the internationally recognized government of Yemen and the Southern Transitional Council (STC).
“We are counting on everyone to put the interest of our fellow Yemeni people above all else,” said Al-Jaber in a tweet that urged expediting the return of elected Yemeni government officials to the interim capital, Aden.
According to Al-Jaber, the return of ministers to the battle-weary country would better enable the government to perform its duties, especially on alleviating the suffering of Yemenis and completing the implementation of all aspects of the agreement.
Today, many Yemenis are raising their voices in demand for breaking the silence on who is standing in the way of realizing the Riyadh Agreement and exposing the parties blocking government efforts on ending the war, economic crisis and the Iran-backed Houthi coup in Yemen.
Inked in August 2019, the deal offers a political umbrella for bridging the gap between the government and the STC. It includes political, security, military, economic and development agreements.
As the result of extensive shuttle diplomacy by Saudi Arabia, the agreement was signed and followed by a mechanism for speeding up its implementation.
The deal was deemed a success after producing a technocratic government that represents all parties to the Yemeni political spectrum involved in the Riyadh Agreement.
However, implementing the military and security aspects of the understanding has fallen short of expectations. Some provisions were met, while others remain pending.
“There are some parties who insist on obstruction to achieve personal goals that do not serve Yemeni citizens, the government, or the political spectrum,” Yemeni activists who requested anonymity told Asharq Al-Awsat.
They warned of what they labeled as a “gamble” taken by those blocking the full application of the agreement at a time when living conditions are hitting new lows in Yemen.
The activists explained that Houthis stand to gain the most from the stalled implementation.
As for Al-Jaber’s remark on the need for state officials returning to Aden, activists noted that “shuffling the cards only serves enemies, and that those inhibiting the execution of the Riyadh Agreement must be exposed.”
