Interviewed by: Jacob Al-Sufyani

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Amid the complexities of the Yemeni situation and its growing entanglement with volatile regional and international issues, UN Special Envoy to Yemen Hans Grundberg continues his efforts to establish common ground that could lead to a comprehensive political settlement.

In this exclusive interview with South24 Center for News and Studies, Grundberg shares his vision for addressing the most urgent files—from securing a nationwide ceasefire to laying out a roadmap that enables the parties to overcome the current political deadlock. He also addresses the Southern issue and the calls from local populations for independence or self-determination, stressing that any serious political process must be inclusive.

According to Grundberg, Southern demands “reflect long-standing grievances and a desire for greater political representation,” adding that “addressing these aspirations is closely linked to Yemen’s overall political trajectory and future governance arrangements.”

In light of the regional escalation involving the Houthis in the Red Sea and the cross-border strikes between the Houthis and Israel, Grundberg warned of “a real risk that Yemen becomes a battleground for broader geopolitical tensions,” noting that “the devastating war in Gaza and regional turmoil continues to erode prospects for peace and stability in Yemen.”

Grundberg emphasized the importance of including civil society actors, especially youth and women, in shaping Yemen’s political future, pointing out that excluding these groups would only lead to the failure of any negotiation process. 

He also delivered a message to all Yemenis, urging them to hold on to hope and the will to overcome divisions, and to look toward a new political path that delivers the long-awaited peace and stability. 

Hans Grundberg was appointed as the UN Secretary-General’s Special Envoy to Yemen on August 6, 2021. The appointment was announced by Secretary-General António Guterres on that date, and Grundberg officially assumed his duties on September 5, 2021.

Interview text ...

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1. In light of the escalation in Gaza, to what extent have the regional conflicts and tensions hindered your efforts in Yemen, especially amid increasing overlap between the regional files?

The devastating war in Gaza and regional turmoil continues erode prospects for peace and stability in Yemen. What’s happening there has only intensified the already complex dynamics we’re dealing with in Yemen. We’ve seen that with the escalation in the Red Sea since the end of 2023, including the attacks by Ansar Allah and the cross-border strikes between Ansar Allah and Israel. The sinking, in early July, of the Eternity C and Magic Seas led to civilian casualties and was a reminder of just how high the stakes are. 

All of this is influencing how parties in Yemen are calculating their next moves. There’s a real risk that Yemen becomes a battleground for broader geopolitical tensions, something Yemenis neither want nor deserve.

That said, I still believe diplomacy is possible. We’ve seen it before. The U.S.–Ansar Allah cessation of hostilities, which Oman helped facilitate, is one example.

From my conversations with regional actors, there is clear agreement that only a negotiated settlement can bring lasting peace to Yemen and ensure the security guarantees needed across the region, including the Red Sea.

2. In your previous briefing to the UN Security Council, you spoke of a shared vision among Yemeni parties for a political process. What are the key features of this vision—does it include agreement on the structure of the state or transitional arrangements? How realistic is the idea of a roadmap, and do the parties demonstrate genuine political will to pursue it?

What I told the Council is straightforward, we need to double down on efforts to give Yemen a real alternative to war and a way out of the current deadlock.

The parties do agree on some key priorities, like the need for a nationwide ceasefire, economic relief, and a political process that includes everyone. But there are still big gaps, especially when it comes to sensitive issues like the structure of the state and how a transition might work. These aren’t easy questions, and they’ll need to be addressed through dialogue, starting with steps that build trust and open space for deeper discussions.

The recent announcement by Ansar Allah about minting 50 Rial coins and printing new 200 Rial banknotes is just one example of how the economic front is becoming more fragmented. It shows how urgent it is to coordinate, not go alone.

As for the roadmap, it’s not just realistic, it’s necessary. It builds on areas where we’ve already seen some agreement. It’s not a final deal, but a path toward one, and it reflects what many Yemenis have been calling for.

But to make it work, we need more than words. It takes political will, compromise, and a readiness to stop thinking in zero-sum terms. It also means addressing the concerns of regional players. We’ve seen what’s possible, opening roads in Al Dhale’a, prisoner releases, a general reduction in frontline clashes. These are small but important signs that cooperation can deliver real results.

3. Are you preparing to invite the parties to a new round of political consultations? What conditions do you see as necessary for the success of such dialogue, especially in light of the deep mistrust among Yemen’s various factions?

We’re fully prepared to step in and support the parties once they show they’re ready to move forward.

Right now, my focus is on encouraging practical steps that can make dialogue more constructive and lead to lasting outcomes. 

Yes, timing matters, but so does the environment in which talks happen. We need lower tensions, more measured rhetoric, and a real willingness to honor previous commitments.

My team and I are in regular contact with all sides to support re-engagement across the political, economic, and security tracks.; to help maintain momentum and prepare the ground for negotiations. 

4. Do you have a vision for resolving the Southern issue? How does the United Nations approach the southerners’ calls for independence or self-determination?

I understand the significance of the calls from southerners for independence or self-determination. These demands reflect long-standing grievances and a desire for greater political representation. I recognize that addressing these aspirations is closely linked to Yemen’s overall political trajectory and future governance arrangements. I also recognize that the southern issue cannot be addressed in isolation. It's a key question that needs to be addressed through a political process.

From the UN’s perspective, the approach to the southern issue and the shape of the state is rooted in the principle that the outcomes must be determined by the Yemenis themselves, through inclusive dialogue. While the roadmap does not exclude those matters, they are expected to be taken up meaningfully once the political process is underway.

The role and mandate of my office is to support Yemenis in navigating a peaceful, inclusive, and orderly transition and in implementing any agreements they reach. This process allows Yemenis, including southerners, to express their aspirations and perspectives and to help shape their collective future.

My Office in Aden, along with my team, engages regularly with the Southern Transitional Council and a wide range of southern actors across governorates including political, civic, and tribal voices. These meetings are part of our broader consultations with all Yemeni stakeholders. We see these engagements as essential to ensuring that any future political process reflects Yemen’s realities, including the long-standing grievances and aspirations from the South.

5. How committed are you to ensuring the inclusion of civil society actors—especially youth and women—in the political process?

 I’m fully committed to making sure civil society, especially women and young people—are part of the political process. Inclusion isn’t just a talking point or a formality; it’s fundamental to achieving real, lasting peace. Women and youth have carried a huge share of the burden in this conflict, and they absolutely deserve a seat at the table in shaping what comes next.

During my recent visit to Aden, I met with a number of civil society representatives, including women leaders from political parties and other components. They spoke clearly about the challenges they’re facing, from worsening public services to the rising cost of living, and shared a powerful vision for Yemen’s future. Their determination to contribute to solutions really struck me. It reaffirmed my belief that any credible process must reflect the voices and leadership of women and youth across the country.

My office has engaged hundreds of Yemeni stakeholders from across the political and social spectrum, including women, youth, tribal leaders, and marginalized groups, through focused consultations and outreach campaigns. We’ve done this both inside and outside Yemen, using a mix of in-person and virtual formats.

Similarly, we continue to engage with women-led and women-focused civil society groups to make sure their insights inform both the agenda and the process.

Earlier this year, my office conducted a series of political dialogues in Aden with civil society representatives from across various governorates, including Lahj, Abyan, Al Dhalea, and Shabwa. These dialogues brought together representatives from local NGOs, women’s groups, youth advocates, influencers, and other civil society actors, aiming to deepen engagement with local stakeholders and harness our insights on critical issues impacting the country’s trajectory towards peace.

The United Nations will continue to advocate for and support inclusive mechanisms that guarantee civil society actors, especially women and young people, have a say in shaping Yemen’s future. At the end of the day, any political process that leaves out half the population isn’t just unfair, it simply won’t work.

6. What message would you like to convey to the Yemeni people and the various stakeholders through this interview with South24?

Thank you for offering this opportunity. 

I know many Yemenis are tired—tired of waiting, of uncertainty, of promises that haven’t materialized. And yet, hope persists. Peace is still within reach. As Special Envoy, I carry with me the stories, frustrations, and hopes I’ve heard from Yemenis across the country and beyond. I remain personally committed to this effort, to engaging honestly, and to doing everything I can to help open a path forward. A path that reflects the dignity, strength, and aspirations of the Yemeni people. 

Yemen cannot afford prolonged fragmentation and political inertia. The cost is not theoretical. It is reflected in deepening hardship, economic decline, and eroding public confidence.

There may never be a perfect moment for bold political choices, but there is a duty to shift course: to prioritize national interest over narrow agendas, to open space for inclusive dialogue, and to move from deadlock to a viable political path.