Newsletter of the Friends of South Yemen Issue 10 — 16th March ­ 15th April 2021 A ROAD MAP FOR YEMEN FOSY proposes a three­stage plan to bring about a peaceful solution to the crisis Friends of South Yemen (FOSY) of the North and for the past is proposing a road map to end months have waged a fierce the war in Yemen, find a way war and are attempting to take out of the current political control of the rich province of stalemate and offer a vision for Marib, and attempt to take the future. control of the whole of the FOSY is an independent, North with the aim of self­financed organization set strengthening their up in London in June 2020. Its negotiating hand in main aim is to provide international talks. UNSC 2216 information about Yemen in general and the South in was passed in 2015 putting Yemen under Clause 7. particular to help resolve the current crisis. Since there is • The war has resulted in the world’s worst humanitarian almost an absence of any useful information in the English disaster with reportedly 233,000 dead mostly from language about Yemen our website “indirect causes” such as lack of food, health services and (www.friendsofsouthyemen.org) is one of the only destroyed infrastructure. Nearly 50,000 people are independent news websites about Yemen which developed already facing famine­like conditions and a further 5 as an information resource about the country. First and million are only one step away. Eighty­five thousand foremost we are working hard to bring an end to the war and children have lost their lives. The intensification of the find an equitable political solution for the whole of Yemen in war will lead to further loss of life. which the rights of all Yemenis are respected. • The war has also resulted in the displacement of nearly Before presenting our three­stage plan we would like to four million people. draw attention to the following facts: • Additional disasters – mainly floods and the COVID • The unification of the two regimes in 1990 failed to pandemic – have also caused displacement and misery. materialize for the benefit of Yemenis. Recent history and • At a recent UN donors’ conference only $1.7 billion, less many grievances at all levels have revealed that the than half of the $3.85 billion requested, was pledged. As a political class of Yemen has destroyed for now the dream consequence of the conflict, investors have taken their of Yemeni unity, so dear to the hearts of the people. The money out of Yemen to invest in other countries. Britain Northern regime militarily invaded the South in 1994 and reduced its contribution by almost 50 per cent causing a ruled Yemen through a dictatorship. public outcry in the UK. • The Houthis, supported by Iran, fought six wars against • The economic consequences of the war are causing severe the ruling regime in Sanaa, took their opportunity fuel, food and water shortages forcing people to turn to militarily to overthrow this regime in 2015, deposing the the black market where prices are up to two times higher legitimate government of President Abdrobo Mansoor than the official rate, all contributing to food prices that Hadi and later assassinated ex­president Ali Abdullah are climbing well out of reach for millions. Currency Saleh in 2017. Their attempt to invade the South was devaluation is also causing serious problems. unsuccessful because the Southerners, with coalition FOSY is calling for an immediate ceasefire and appealing backing, resisted the Houthis’ invasion. The Southern to the international community to bring an end to the war territory is now almost completely free from Houthi and the continuing negative downward spiral which Yemenis domination. find intolerable. • The Houthis overthrow of the legitimate government of We hope the following three­stage road map to peace will Yemen has resulted in a six­year bloody war. The lead to a solution acceptable to all sides in the conflict and Houthis, a radical Zaidi Shia sect, now control 80 per cent an end to this brutal and pointless war. Click here to read FOSY's appeal to the international community for assistance as COVID­19 cases increase significantly in Southern governorates. Page 2 South Yemen Update Issue 10 — 16th March ­ 15th April 2021 Stage One (2021­2022) strengthening of the role and responsibilities of local Ending the war immediately and laying the government with minimum disruption to the current foundations for peace governorate structure. The governorates in the north will The first step must be the effective implementation of the form the Northern autonomous region and the Riyadh Agreement which resolved the governorates in the south will form the conflict between the Internationally Southern autonomous region. Elections to Recognized Government (IRG) and the local governments must be held with Southern Transitional Council (STC) international observers present. leading to the formation of the current • A focus on long­term development power­sharing government. Despite our projects and investment is needed. reservations about elements in this Yemenis living abroad must be encouraged agreement it appears to be the only way to return and invest in their country. forward available. It is critical that this Improving the security situation in the two government is given the opportunity to regions of Yemen will encourage and build trust between the two parties and attract investors to return to their country. ensure that the people in the liberated areas • Southerners should eventually hold a see some improvements in their living Southern conference evaluating the standards. Although it is fair to say that so experience of two autonomous regions, far this government has failed to put successes and failures and building trust forward a political and economic plan and between all Southerners on the way improve people’s lives. FOSY Chairman Abdul Galil Shaif forward. The Northern political elite can • Peace talks held under the auspices of also initiate their own conference and evaluate their the UN Special Envoy Martin Griffiths should start successes and failures and build trust among themselves immediately to build trust between the warring parties too. (the Houthis and the IRG/STC) to agree an immediate • The two regions must cooperate politically and end to the war. Saudi Arabia, the UAE, Iran, the USA, the economically to heal the scars of war and serve all their UK and other states should engage in the talks supporting people under international scrutiny. They must also hold all sides to reach a peace settlement. elections under the constitution so the people can chose • Imposition of UN sanctions, especially on politicians and their future leaders. tribal leaders, who are making money out of the war and refuse to engage positively in peace talks. The threat of Stage Three (2025­2030) financial and travel sanctions against those Yemeni Decision on the future of Yemen based on the politicians would yield positive results in our opinion. evaluation of the two­region solution • Formation of an international body to support economic Following the evaluation of the transitional stage of the development in North and South Yemen with a move two­region solution a watershed in Yemen’s history should away from reliance on humanitarian assistance. The come, when the people themselves decide whether to power sharing government should focus on the payment continue with the two autonomous regions or opt for two of salaries, the provision of essential services and the independent states. FOSY proposes one referendum in the presentation of a united front to reach a peace settlement North and one in the South to determine the future of the with the Houthis. two regions. • Injection of funds into the Central Bank for development There is every possibility that the Southerners through to be used under international supervision and strict their referendum will want to establish their own state. accountability and transparency measures. The There is income from oil, gas, fisheries and taxes and a government should immediately administer and put strategic location which can revive their economy. No money measures in place to bring in income from oil, gas, will be required from external sources if proper state fisheries, taxes and customs directly into the Central Bank functioning institutions are developed. A UN­organized to prevent corruption and strengthen the local currency. referendum on the independence of the South is required to • Talks, preferably under UN auspices, between all enable this state to be re­established. Two states living side political groups in the South to achieve national by side is better than one state destroying itself. If the South reconciliation and agree on the way forward for the choses independence close economic co­operation with the Southern region and future relations with the North. The North would be required. head of the STC, Aidarus Al­Zubaidi, and President Hadi The alternative of the South voting for independence is a could play a leading role in this initiative. continuation of the two regions under central authority. All past attempts to resolve the crisis have failed. The Stage Two (2022­2025) situation for the ordinary people of Yemen is desperate so a Transitional stage with a possible two region new initiative is desperately needed. We urge all interested solution, one region in the North of Yemen and the parties and honest brokers to give our proposal their serious other in the South of Yemen attention. Yemen could have two constitutionally recognized autonomous regions, the Northern region and the Southern region, each with its own parliament, political parties, elections, executive, ministries, legislative and judicial FOSY has produced a powers, budget, internal security forces and police.