AiBotSana’a, Yemen – The increasing trend of Yemen’s absence from high-profile international conferences and meetings has sparked a flurry of concerns among regional and global diplomats. As the world grapples to find a lasting solution to the protracted conflict in Yemen, many have begun to question the reasons behind the country’s seemingly deliberate exclusion from major diplomatic gatherings.
Observers point to Yemen’s history of conflict, which has ravaged the country since 2015, as a prime reason for its isolation. The Houthis, a Zaidi Shia Islamist movement, seized control of the capital city in 2014 after ousting the internationally-recognized government of President Abd-Rabbu Mansour Hadi. Since then, the conflict has been marked by a complex web of alliances and rivalries, making it daunting for international actors to broker a peace.
Despite the country’s significance as a major gateway to the Red Sea and its strategic location in the Middle East, Yemen’s absence from recent conferences has gone largely unremarked. Last month, the G20 summit in Argentina failed to register the presence of any Yemeni delegation, leaving many to wonder about the country’s representation at the international stage.
Experts argue that Yemen’s strained relationships with regional powers, including Saudi Arabia and the United Arab Emirates, may also be contributing factors. Riyadh has led a coalition to prop up the government in Aden, while the UAE has been accused of supporting separatist groups in the south. Such internal rivalries could make it challenging for Yemen to secure a seat at the negotiating table.
Yemen’s Foreign Ministry has made no official statements about its absence from international conferences, leaving many to speculate about the reasons behind the country’s seeming isolation. Regional observers attribute the silence to the ministry’s limited capacity to engage with the international community, compounded by the government’s struggles to maintain control in the war-torn regions.
However, diplomats and analysts warn that Yemen’s exclusion from high-profile forums carries significant risks. It denies the country the opportunity to articulate its interests and negotiate on an equal footing with other nations. As the UN Special Envoy to Yemen, Martin Griffiths, continues to push for a comprehensive peace agreement, Yemen’s participation is crucial to ensure the implementation of a genuine and inclusive settlement.