International efforts following the murder of former Yemeni President Ali Abdullah Saleh have shown keen interest in keeping Yemen’s Popular Congress Party strong and united. The GPC remains a main component in any political settlement or negotiation process to resolve the ongoing crisis.
While Houthi militias attempting dissolving the party and merging it with its popular base after slaying Saleh, the United Nations asserted that GPC representatives were a key player in any prospective negotiations.
Efforts by new UN envoy to Yemen Martin Griffiths, along with the diplomatic statements and positions of a number of Western ambassadors, have underscored the importance of the GPC’s survival despite threats facing Saleh’s political legacy and base.
After visiting Sana'a two weeks ago at the launch of his UN mission, Griffith witnessed the meeting of the GPC leaders of the Congress Party in Sana'a who stressed their legitimacy.
During his stay in Sana'a, Griffith was keen to visit GPC leaders and members of the delegation which led previous negotiation rounds.
The UN envoy also paid a visit to GPC politicians and activists who were held captive and injured by Houthi militiamen repressing marches celebrating the late leader’s birth anniversary.
The UN envoy in his meeting with leaders said that the party will remain a key party in any future consultations, and that he is keen to listen to all the Yemeni parties in order to come out with a comprehensive vision.
The envoy stressed that any solution will originate within Yemen, and that it will not start from scratch.
“There are previous discussions and dialogues that have been conducted and will be built upon,” said Griffith.
The UN envoy listened to an explanation of multiple repercussions that led Saleh’s death and the subsequent campaign to harass GPC party members. He also listened to the GPC’s vision of a peaceful solution.
Griffith said that all neighboring countries of Yemen believe in the importance of having an independent and prosperous Yemen that enjoys internal peace, as well as peace with its neighbors. Griffiths said that he will brief the UN Security Council on developments he witnessed.
