Yemen: Hadi Proposed as Unifying Figure for Southern Dialogue After Years of Silence

Amman, Jordan – After nearly three years of political silence, the name of former Yemeni President Abd Rabbu Mansour Hadi is being floated as a potential consensus figure to lead an anticipated national dialogue aimed at resolving the country’s complex southern question. The suggestion, made by Jaber Mohammed, director of the office of Presidential Leadership Council (PLC) member Abdulrahman al-Mahrami, comes as efforts to form a preparatory committee for the Saudi-sponsored dialogue have stalled.

In a post on X (formerly Twitter), Mohammed attributed the delay to the need for careful and organized preparation befitting the Southern issue, and befitting the sponsor of this dialogue, the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia, signaling the complexities involved in the selection process. The statement highlights the sensitivity surrounding the composition of the committee and the desire for a process that reflects the diverse interests within southern Yemen.

Mohammed emphasized the importance of participants entering the dialogue with their Southern identity only, away from their political affiliation or position. Everyone must be a representative of the South underscoring a call for prioritizing a unified Southern identity above partisan concerns. He argued that this stage requires prioritizing the unifying Southern identity over any other considerations.

He also cautioned against the expected crowding and the rush to join this committee, as some will seek themselves and some will seek their geographical plan, proposing a mechanism to ensure equitable representation by granting each governorate a single nominee, with potential for increased representation for larger governorates based on population and area. This proposal aims to mitigate potential power struggles and ensure a more inclusive process.

In a surprising development, Mohammed directly proposed that former President Hadi be considered the consensus figure to manage the conference, stating, Personally, I see the most consensual figure as the former President, Field Marshal Abd Rabbu Mansour Hadi. This marks Hadi’s first potential foray back into political activity since delegating his powers to the Presidential Leadership Council on April 7, 2022, opening the possibility of a surprising return to the Yemeni political scene through the Southern issue.

The proposal to involve Hadi comes at a critical juncture in Yemen’s ongoing political transition. The country remains deeply fractured following years of conflict, with the Southern Transitional Council (STC) – a separatist group with significant influence in the south – seeking greater autonomy, and potentially independence. The STC, as noted in a Sana’a Center report, previously sought to restructure the Yemeni presidency by appointing two deputies, one from the north and one from the south, demonstrating its ambition to secure a greater role in governance.

Hadi’s potential involvement is particularly noteworthy given his own history and the context of Yemen’s federalism debate. A 2019 analysis by the Sana’a Center highlighted how a 2014 proposal for a federal system, put forward by Hadi himself, became a catalyst for conflict. While intended to address regional grievances and promote equitable resource distribution, the plan was criticized for its flaws, including a lack of a clear mechanism for revenue sharing, ultimately exacerbating divisions and fueling demands for greater local autonomy.

The failure of that federalist plan, coupled with Hadi’s eventual resignation and exile, contributed to the escalation of the conflict and the rise of the Houthi movement. The Houthis, as detailed in a Critical Threats report from February 12, 2014, opposed any attempts to landlock their territory, a key concern that contributed to their rejection of Hadi’s proposals. Hadi’s subsequent removal from power in 2022, described as a consequence of factional chaos and missteps by Reuters, further complicated the political landscape.

The European Institute of Peace facilitated the third convening of the Southern Dialogue Process in Amman, Jordan, on February 19-20, 2025, following the Third Yemen International Forum (February 16-18, 2025). The consultations focused on addressing the Southern Question and methods for involving Southern Yemeni women and youth in the dialogue. This ongoing dialogue, supported by the European Union, underscores the international community’s commitment to finding a peaceful resolution to Yemen’s internal conflicts.

The suggestion of Hadi as a unifying figure represents a potentially significant shift in the dynamics of the Southern dialogue. Whether his involvement will be accepted by all parties remains to be seen, but it signals a willingness to consider figures from Yemen’s recent past as potential catalysts for a more inclusive and sustainable future. The success of any dialogue will depend on addressing the underlying grievances and power dynamics that have fueled conflict in Yemen for decades, and ensuring that the voices of all Yemenis, particularly those from the south, are heard and respected.