Yemen, Separatists Sign Peace, Power-Sharing Agreement

Yemen’s internationally recognized government signed a Saudi-brokered power-sharing deal with southern separatists on Tuesday, aimed at ending a conflict that has been simmering alongside the country’s wider civil war. The agreement was signed by representatives of Yemen’s government and the secessionist Southern Transitional Council (STC) in a ceremony, aired on Saudi state television, in Riyadh attended by Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman, Yemen President Abed Rabo Mansour Hadi and Abu Dhabi Crown Prince Mohammed bin Zayed. “This agreement will open a new period of stability in Yemen. The Kingdom of Saudi Arabia stands with you,” the Saudi crown prince said.  According to the agreement, Yemen government control will return to the southern city of Aden while the STC will be given a number of ministries. The United Nation’s special envoy for Yemen, Martin Griffiths, congratulated the two sides on the deal, which he said would push forward efforts to end the civil war that has devastated the country. “The signing of this agreement is an important step for our collective efforts to advance a peaceful settlement to the conflict in Yemen,” he said in a statement. “Listening to southern stakeholders is important to the political efforts to achieve peace in the country.”