The National Dialogue Conference (NDC), scheduled for November, is quickly approaching, and the challenges and complications facing those participating continue to mount. Its success rests largely on political parties and civil society organizations.  

Many are pondering the compelling question, “Which political parties and civil society organizations will be advantageous to the NDC?”

Mohammed Qahtan, a member of the supreme authority for the Islah Party, said that the NDC is the only way to propel Yemen out of its current crisis into a better future, pointing out that the aims of the November 2011 Revolution will not be finally realized without the conference.

Qahtan said that the Southern issue will be a main focus of the dialogue, asserting that the political meeting will not be successful unless it heeds the complaints of the Southerners and finds a fair solution to appease all. He called on President Hadi to issue certain decrees like granting the Southerners some of the lands that were taken from them.

Furthermore, Qahtan thinks President Hadi is the only one who can create a safe haven in Yemen so these discussions can take place, but that each citizen bears the responsibility of assuring success at the dialogue table by accepting views from all spectrums.   

However as the NDC approaches, many southerners are not convinced of the meeting’s chances at success.

Afra’a Al-Hariri, a lawyer and chairwoman of the Social Relief Association, said that the South faces several problems such as a terrifying security vacuum. Moreover, she claims Southerners are marginalized and considered second-rate citizens.

According to her, the dialogue will never succeed because it is based on the tenants of democracy and there will never be democracy as long as a portion of the population believes they do not received equal treatment under the law.  The chairwoman further calls for an end to what she sees as religious and tribal speeches that mock the South.   

Al-Hariri said it is fundamental to hold a South on South dialogue first so leaders can decide if they will join the national one.  While she believes that “the NDC is vital to building a society,” she refuses to accept its premises until Southerners receive the same treatment as their northern counterparts.

Murad Al-Gharati, head of the Tamkeen Development Organization, said that civil society organizations play an important role in the NDC’s goal to bring in different political parties.  They have the capacity to hold symposiums and conferences, engaging many different interest groups.

Al-Gharati sees that the NDC requires a secure and peaceful climate, indicating that those involved in the dialogue must be committed to principals of mutual respect and a recognition of human rights.  

Hussein Abdullah Al-Jonaid, an engineer and member of the executive authority of the Justice and Building Organization, said there are several issues in Yemen that will never be solved without the dialogue.  Besides consideration for those in the South, Al-Jonaid hopes the dialogue will provide solutions to Sa’ada’s insurgency and an eventual agreement on the structure of the state and constitution.