UN Peace Initiatives in Yemen and Reasons for Their Failure

UN Peace Initiatives in Yemen and Reasons for Their Failure

Introduction

Yemen has been mired in a brutal civil war since 2014, resulting in one of the worst humanitarian crises of the 21st century. The United Nations (UN) has been at the forefront of diplomatic efforts to broker peace, but these initiatives have largely failed to produce sustainable results. This article explores the key UN-led peace initiatives in Yemen, the reasons behind their failure, and the broader challenges to ending the conflict.

Key UN Peace Initiatives in Yemen

1. The Stockholm Agreement (2018)

Mediated by the UN in December 2018, the Stockholm Agreement represented a rare moment of consensus between the Houthi rebels and the internationally recognized Yemeni government. The agreement included:

• Hodeidah Ceasefire: A truce in the vital port city to allow humanitarian aid.
• Prisoner Exchange: The release of thousands of detainees on both sides.
• Taiz Withdrawal: A commitment to ease the siege in the city of Taiz.

Despite initial hope, implementation faltered due to mutual distrust. The Houthis refused to fully withdraw from Hodeidah, while the Saudi-led coalition maintained a blockade, undermining the agreement.

2. The Riyadh Agreement (2019–2020)

This deal aimed to reconcile the Yemeni government with the Southern Transitional Council (STC), which had seized control of Aden. While a unity government was established, tensions persisted. The lack of genuine cooperation between the parties weakened their joint position in dealing with the Houthis.

3. UNSC Resolution 2216 (2015) and Subsequent Mediation

Resolution 2216, adopted in 2015, called for the Houthis to withdraw from seized territories and relinquish arms. However, its perceived favoritism toward the Saudi-backed government led the Houthis to reject UN mediation. This perception of bias continues to hinder UN credibility.

4. 2021–2023 Ceasefire Attempts

A UN-brokered truce in April 2022 temporarily reduced hostilities, but collapsed due to a lack of political commitment. The Houthis resumed attacks, and the coalition continued restrictions on Sana’a Airport and Hodeidah port. Political dialogue failed to materialize into concrete progress.

Why UN Peace Efforts Have Failed

1. Perceived Bias and Regional Rivalries

The UN’s reliance on Saudi Arabia and the UAE—both parties to the conflict—has led to accusations of bias, particularly by the Houthis. Furthermore, Iran's support for the Houthis has transformed Yemen into a battleground for regional influence, complicating impartial mediation.

2. Fragmentation of Yemeni Actors

The conflict is not simply binary. In addition to the Houthis and the internationally recognized government, other influential actors include the STC, tribal militias, al-Qaeda in the Arabian Peninsula (AQAP), and ISIS affiliates. This fragmented landscape makes a unified peace deal extremely difficult to achieve.

3. Weak Enforcement Mechanisms

Unlike peacekeeping missions in South Sudan or Kosovo, the UN has no robust enforcement capacity in Yemen. Ceasefire violations are common, and there are no meaningful consequences for non-compliance.

4. Weaponization of Humanitarian Aid

Both sides have used humanitarian access as leverage. The Houthis have diverted aid, while the Saudi-led coalition has imposed blockades, worsening famine conditions. This politicization of aid erodes trust in peace negotiations and undermines civilian confidence in international mechanisms.

5. Divided International Community

The U.S., UK, and France back the Saudi-led coalition, while Russia and China often oppose stronger UN actions, including sanctions. These divisions weaken the Security Council’s ability to pass and enforce resolutions that could pressure parties into a settlement.

Conclusion

The failure of the UN's peace initiatives in Yemen can be attributed to structural weaknesses, geopolitical rivalries, internal divisions, and the lack of credible enforcement. To move forward, the UN must recalibrate its approach by:

• Engaging neutral regional actors like Oman and Kuwait.
• Ensuring inclusive negotiations that involve all Yemeni stakeholders.
• Establishing mechanisms to monitor and enforce agreements.

Without these adjustments, the prospects for a lasting peace remain bleak, and Yemen’s humanitarian catastrophe will continue to worsen.

References

1. UN Security Council Resolution 2216. (2015). United Nations.
2. International Crisis Group. (2019). Yemen’s Stockholm Agreement: A Fragile Peace.
3. Middle East Institute. (2020). The Riyadh Agreement and Yemen’s Fractured South.
4. Carnegie Endowment for International Peace. (2021). Why UN Mediation in Yemen Fails.
5. Brookings Institution. (2023). Yemen’s Ceasefire Collapse and the Future of Peace Talks.
6. Human Rights Watch. (2022). Humanitarian Aid as a Weapon of War in Yemen