Aden (South24 Center)

---

UN Special Envoy to Yemen Hans Grundberg has intensified his regional efforts throughout November in a bid to revive the stalled political process, which has remained deadlocked for over two years. His diplomatic outreach has included visits to Arab capitals and meetings with Yemeni and international stakeholders.

In his latest stop, Grundberg met with Houthi chief negotiator Mohammed Abdul Salam in Muscat on November 19, emphasizing the need to “create a conducive environment for an inclusive political process.” He reiterated the UN’s call for the immediate release of its detained staff held by the group and discussed recent developments in regional mediation and de-escalation efforts with Omani officials.

This visit followed a tour that included Riyadh and Abu Dhabi. On November 12, Grundberg held talks in Riyadh with Yemeni Foreign Minister Shayea Zindani, Presidential Leadership Council member Abdullah Al-Alimi, Saudi Ambassador to Yemen Mohammed Al Jaber, and ambassadors of the five permanent members of the UN Security Council. 

Discussions focused on maintaining the dialogue momentum and strengthening international support for the UN-led track.

On November 10, Grundberg met with Emirati officials in Abu Dhabi, including Presidential Advisor Dr. Anwar Gargash and UAE Permanent Representative to the UN Lana Nusseibeh. The talks addressed “ways to enhance regional consensus and continue dialogue in support of stability in Yemen.”

Earlier, on November 3, the envoy’s office announced the conclusion of a visit to Oman and Bahrain, as part of efforts to engage regional actors in advancing a negotiated settlement. 

Between October 27 and 30, Grundberg held meetings in Muscat with Omani officials, Houthi chief negotiator Mohammed Abdul Salam, and senior Iranian official Majid Takht-Ravanchi. On the sidelines of his participation in the “Manama Dialogue”, from October 31 to November 3, he met with Yemeni officials and international partners.

These efforts come as the “Roadmap” announced by Grundberg on December 23, 2023, remains unimplemented, despite the ongoing state of calm that began in April 2022.

In remarks to South24 Center published on August 19, Grundberg warned of a “real risk” that Yemen could become a battleground for broader geopolitical rivalries. He noted that regional escalation had stalled the political process and complicated the calculations of Yemeni parties. He also stated that tensions in the Red Sea cast a direct shadow over the choices of Yemeni actors and the future of peace efforts.

 Read more at: UN Envoy to Yemen: We Understand the Significance of Southern Calls for Independence (Interview)

In his briefing to the UN Security Council on September 15, Grundberg highlighted the impact of instability in the Middle East on the Yemen file, stressing that regional developments fuel internal divisions and slow down prospects for resuming the political process. He pointed out that the Houthis’ detention of UN staff and the storming of UN offices, pose a direct obstacle to UN mediation.

On August 20, Grundberg had concluded a visit to Riyadh with a meeting with Presidential Leadership Council Chairman Rashad Al-Alimi, where they discussed the deteriorating living conditions and the need to make progress toward a political agreement that paves the way for sustainable peace. 

The envoy praised steps taken by the government and the Central Bank in Aden to stabilize the currency and foster a more conducive environment for dialogue.