Dr. Khalid Al-Shafi
Events in Yemen have become unpredictable and everyone is convinced that this country is heading fast towards failure or Somalisation. The state’s public institutions are collapsing, the president has resigned, armed groups have invaded the presidential palace, the military is divided and there is no authority at all in the country.
The scenes from Yemen being transmitted by the Arab and global media are all about conflict, chaos and death like in other Arab cities. The country has entered a dark tunnel that will lead to the demolition of its unity and divide the country into the South and North, the southern parts most likely to be taken over by rebels and armed groups.
The strategic location of Yemen on the coast that oversees the most important marine traffic linking East and West makes its stability a global necessity. This view is shared by regional and international parties whose interests are jeopardised by the instability in the country.
No one would want to see this country turning into a haven for extremists and violent groups like Houthis or ISIS or Al Qaeda.
The best solution for Yemen is to return to the rule of law, and all disagreements should be expressed and sorted out through proper, legal means and dialogue.
The Gulf initiative on Yemen that was put forward by the GCC countries provided a golden opportunity to restore stability and legitimacy and it also called for the withdrawal of armed groups from Sana’a.
All Yemeni groups must unite behind a legitimate government to defend the gains, and should not allow smaller parties to kidnap the country, destroy its future and expose it to regional and international conspiracies, war and chaos.
The international community must also work to stop the country from destroying what remains, and prevent instability in a region which day after day is becoming worse!
The Peninsula
