by Murad Abdo
ADEN, Yemen, Dec. 25 (Xinhua) -- Yemen's warring parties have pledged to work towards a ceasefire and participate in a peace process led by the United Nations, announced UN Special Envoy for Yemen Hans Grundberg on Saturday.
In a brief press statement, Grundberg said that following extensive talks held in Saudi Arabia and Oman, the Yemeni Presidential Leadership Council and the Houthi rebel group have both committed to implementing a nationwide ceasefire, lifting economic restrictions, and engaging in preparations to resume inclusive UN-led political negotiations.
Key elements of the roadmap unveiled by the UN envoy include implementing a nationwide ceasefire, paying public sector salaries, re-opening roads, easing restrictions on airports and seaports, and establishing mechanisms to implement these commitments.
It is now seen by many Yemenis as a potential turning point in the prolonged civil conflict, offering a ray of hope amid a shroud of despair for years.
The roadmap, while promising, has elicited varied responses and reactions from political experts, highlighting the complexity of the deep-rooted issue and the challenges that any peace process in Yemen must navigate.
Adel Dashela, a Yemeni researcher, told Xinhua that "Yemenis are tired of war, and many see Grundberg's statement as a positive development," while warning against the "piecemeal approach" adopted by the roadmap.
He highlighted the importance of a clear political settlement and the disarmament of armed groups, cautioning that without these, there could be a repeat of the past failed agreements such as those signed in Stockholm and Riyadh.
Being more critical of the roadmap, Yaseen Tamimi, a Yemeni political writer and analyst, said he is skeptical of its depth and sustainability, noting that it primarily caters to Houthi demands and potentially sidelines the government's needs.
Tamimi added that the UN envoy's statement indicates actual progress regarding measures to reach a truce and build confidence, but "it does not secure success in achieving consensus on a roadmap for peace in Yemen," which the analyst said underscores the tentative nature of the current progress with not only potentials but also uncertainties.
Tamimi also expressed concern about how solid the current peace efforts are, noting the efforts "might stop the fighting for now, but it's not sure if it will last," referring to long-term peace in Yemen.
Like Tamimi, Nabil al-Bukiri, director of the Arab Forum for Studies and Development, also cast doubt on Grundberg's optimistic tone, saying, "This optimism seems detached from the actual situation."
He pointed out the roadmap's limitations, as it "addresses only surface issues like the economic crisis and opening roads and airports, which stem from the (Houthi) militia's state takeover."
"The treatments being discussed these days amount to recognizing the Houthi militia as the de facto authority," al-Bukiri observed.
He firmly stated that "ignoring the root cause of the Yemeni conflict means that any declarations about achieving peace are just empty words."
Despite the skepticism, Grundberg remains a steadfast advocate for the roadmap, urging all parties to exercise the utmost restraint to foster a conducive environment for dialogue and the successful conclusion of the roadmap agreement.
"The parties have taken a significant step. Their commitments are, first and foremost, an obligation to the Yemeni people to progress towards a future that meets the legitimate aspirations of all Yemenis," Grundberg stated. "30 million Yemenis are watching and waiting for this new opportunity to provide tangible results and progress towards lasting peace," he stressed.
The Yemeni government and Houthi rebels have engaged in several rounds of negotiations facilitated by the UN, but a comprehensive resolution to the conflict remains elusive.
Yemen has been embroiled in a devastating civil war since 2014, with the Houthis fighting against the Yemeni government. The Saudi Arabia-led coalition intervened in the conflict in support of the Yemeni government in 2015.
The ongoing conflict has decimated Yemen's infrastructure, collapsed its national economy, and left a vast majority of the population, who are grappling with famine, diseases, and displacement, reliant on humanitarian aid. ■
