A member of Yemen's Presidential Leadership Council has urged the European Union to designate the Houthi militia as a terrorist group, citing their continued intransigence and refusal to engage seriously in the political process, which obstructs peace efforts in Yemen.
Abdulrahman Al-Muharrami made this call during an extensive meeting with European Union ambassadors, led by the Head of the EU Delegation to Yemen, Patrick Simonet. The discussion focused on areas of bilateral cooperation and potential expansion of the existing partnership, particularly in supporting government reforms, development funding programs, humanitarian interventions, and institutional building.
The meeting addressed the latest developments in the Yemeni peace process. Al-Muharrami characterized the Houthi militia's stance as persistently stubborn and lacking genuine commitment to political engagement. He emphasized the necessity of increasing international pressure to compel the militia towards choosing peace.
Al-Muharrami affirmed that the government and the Presidential Leadership Council remain committed to peace but linked its success to the seriousness of the opposing party. "We are ready for peace through the political process, and our armed forces are in the highest state of readiness to maintain security and stability and protect national gains," he stated.
The discussion also touched upon the importance of securing international waterways and supporting regional and international efforts to safeguard maritime navigation and ensure the stability of global trade in the region. On the security front, the meeting reviewed the situation in the capital, Aden, and liberated governorates, with Al-Muharrami noting a significant improvement in security performance due to efforts to consolidate stability and combat various security threats.
Economically and administratively, both sides underscored the importance of supporting government reform initiatives to alleviate citizens' suffering and improve essential services. The meeting concluded by emphasizing the significance of the Southern-Southern dialogue as a crucial path to foster consensus among southern components and achieve justice for the southern issue, acknowledging Saudi Arabia's role in hosting this dialogue and supporting efforts to enhance stability and bridge differences.
