Southern Transitional Council Dissolves Ahead of Riyadh Dialogue Conference
In a significant development for Yemeni politics, the Southern Transitional Council has officially announced its dissolution on Friday, January 9, 2026, in preparation for the upcoming Southern Dialogue Conference in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia.
This decision follows a unanimous agreement among council members and affiliated bodies to cease operations, acknowledging the shortcomings of their previous efforts.
In a statement released today, council members admitted that they had not succeeded in fulfilling the objectives for which the council was formed, nor in addressing the aspirations of the southern populace.
The statement also noted that council members were not involved in the decision-making process regarding a recent military operation in the Hadramaut and Al-Mahra governorates, which they believe has adversely affected the southern cause and complicated the political and security landscape.
In their concluding remarks, the council urged national figures and active political leaders in the south to engage earnestly in the dialogue process, aiming to develop a clear vision and comprehensive approach to a fair and sustainable resolution to the southern issue during the Riyadh conference.
The council expressed its appreciation to the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia for hosting the forthcoming Southern Dialogue Conference, commending its role in promoting stability and political solutions in Yemen.
Key figures including Abu Zar'ah Al-Mahrami, Ahmed Saeed, and Bin Brik attended the meeting where the dissolution was announced, underscoring the significance and timely nature of this decision.
This announcement comes amid rapid developments in Yemen, signaling a shift towards a new political phase centered on dialogue and the reorganization of southern factions under regional support.
