The “First Consultation Meeting for Peace Initiatives in Yemen” took place in Amman from July 9th to 10th, 2023, bringing together representatives of peace organisations operating within Yemen and a significant number of leaders and members of the Yemen National Reconciliation Movement (NRM).
This conference, organised by the Tamadon Foundation for Cultural Development and Media in collaboration with the Generations for Peace Foundation (GFP), featured four intensive sessions. During these sessions, participants discussed and prepared reference documents aimed at unifying peace efforts in Yemen. The ultimate goal was to establish a comprehensive and organised framework for all peace initiatives and forces in Yemen. This effort aimed to create a civil representation for all those advocating for an end to the war and the achievement of peace.
Participants emphasised the importance of this comprehensive framework or coalition, tentatively called the “Yemeni Peace Forces Forum” (YPFF), and how it should have a direct impact on the ground and be recognised as a key party in any future arrangements, developments, or settlements to halt the conflict between the conflicting parties. This approach aimed to ensure that exclusive decision-making powers in peace-related matters would no longer rest with the parties that initiated the conflict and went to war.
The first session of the conference featured a presentation on the work of the Internal Communication Team in NRM over the past period. It highlighted the positive outcomes achieved in communicating and coordinating with influential political and social figures in various Yemeni cities, particularly in Sana’a and Aden. The session also introduced NRM’s initiative to establish a Yemeni Media Alliance for Peace (MAP-Yemen). This initiative sought to reduce the intensity of hostile media discourse from the conflicting parties and promote a culture of tolerance and acceptance. Such a culture was deemed crucial for any peace-building efforts in Yemen, given the significant role of the media in fuelling conflicts and providing a conducive atmosphere for national consensus and reconciliation. The session also featured a presentation on Rwanda’s experience in national reconciliation and the lessons it could offer for Yemen.
The second session featured presentations from delegates originating in Sana’a and Aden. These presentations addressed various issues related to peacebuilding in Yemen, including its methods, challenges, and ways to prepare active parties within Yemen to play a central role in persuading conflicting forces to cease hostilities, renounce violence, and engage in political dialogue to resolve their differences. The session involved vigorous discussions and produced conclusions that formed the basis for extensive deliberations during the conference’s second day.
On the second day, participants were divided into working groups focusing on three main themes related to the YPFF concept:
- Assessing the current status of Yemeni peace forces, both domestically and abroad, and defining their expected roles.
- Crafting a political code of conduct for all peace advocates, initiatives, and forces in Yemen.
- Establishing the theoretical and structural foundations of YPFF.
The closing session of the conference welcomed several representatives from international organisations engaged in peacebuilding efforts in Yemen, including a delegation from the United Nations envoy to Yemen’s office. This session highlighted NRM’s journey and its peacebuilding endeavours in Yemen. Following this presentation, a transparent and purposeful discussion ensued, covering topics related to peace in Yemen, its obstacles, and the anticipated role of the international community.
The “First Consultation Meeting for Peace Initiatives in Yemen” concluded by approving the initial documents representing the conference’s outcomes, with a commitment to further develop them to their final versions. The participants endorsed the following recommendations:
- Expand the representation of influential peace figures and organisations from all Yemeni governorates, as well as from outside Yemen.
- Broaden the representation of influential peace figures across diverse segments of society.
- Plan for a second consultation meeting for peace initiatives in Yemen before convening the founding conference of the proposed unifying entity for peace forces in Yemen, known as YPFF.
- Launch media and public peace activities and campaigns to make peace a matter of public opinion, in parallel with the establishment of YPFF.
- Promote the inclusion of Yemeni peace advocates and forces associated with YPFF in any negotiations or arrangements facilitated by the United Nations or regional stakeholders.
- Craft a comprehensive peace road map for YPFF to gain approval during the founding conference.
- Explore avenues for establishing a support fund for YPFF to ensure its ongoing work and independence, with a commitment to the highest standards of transparency and accountability.
- Prepare for the successful hosting of YPFF’s founding conference and announcing it within Yemen.
- Continue to pay efforts to propagate a culture of peace through all available media and educational channels, addressing knowledge gaps related to peacebuilding, and dispelling misconceptions.
- Maintain consistent coordination with international and regional organisations dedicated to peacebuilding throughout the YPFF establishment phase, while drawing upon valuable experiences from similar initiatives.
- Initiate the creation of a comprehensive database and analysis encompassing all Yemeni peace forces, both within Yemen and abroad, as well as those actively engaged in peace efforts for Yemen internationally.
