The Stockholm Agreement: What it Means for Yemen

The ongoing conflict in Yemen has been described as the world`s worst humanitarian crisis by the United Nations. The war has been raging for over four years and has left millions of Yemeni people without access to food, water, and other basic necessities. The conflict has also resulted in the displacement of millions of people, with many seeking refuge in neighboring countries. The Stockholm Agreement, which was signed in December 2018, is a significant step towards bringing an end to years of violence and suffering in Yemen.

The Stockholm Agreement is an agreement between the Yemeni government and the Houthi rebels, who have been fighting for control of the country since 2014. The agreement was brokered by the United Nations and aimed to bring an end to years of fighting and provide a pathway towards peace. The agreement is composed of three main components:

1. A ceasefire in the city of Hodeidah, which is a critical port city that was under the control of the Houthi rebels. The ceasefire was implemented in December 2018 and has largely held, although there have been violations on both sides.

2. An agreement on the withdrawal of troops from Hodeidah. The Stockholm Agreement called for the withdrawal of all troops from the city, which has been a major battleground in the conflict. This component of the agreement has been slow to progress, with both sides accusing the other of failing to implement the terms of the agreement.

3. A prisoner exchange. The Stockholm Agreement also included a provision for the exchange of prisoners between the Yemeni government and the Houthi rebels. This has been a major humanitarian issue, with thousands of people being held captive by both sides. The prisoner exchange began in January 2019 and has been ongoing since then.

So what does the Stockholm Agreement mean for Yemen? First, the ceasefire in Hodeidah has allowed for some much-needed relief for the people of the city. The port of Hodeidah is a critical entry point for food and other supplies, and the fighting in the city had severely disrupted these supplies. The ceasefire has allowed for some of these supplies to begin flowing into the city once again.

Second, the withdrawal of troops from Hodeidah would be a significant step towards peace in Yemen. The city has been a major battleground in the conflict, and the withdrawal of troops would reduce the risk of further violence. However, this component of the agreement has been slow to progress, and both sides need to do more to implement the terms of the agreement.

Finally, the prisoner exchange is a critical humanitarian issue that is important for the families of those who have been held captive. The exchange has been ongoing since January 2019, and while progress has been slow, it is still a positive development.

Overall, the Stockholm Agreement is a significant step towards bringing an end to the conflict in Yemen. While progress has been slow, the ceasefire in Hodeidah and the ongoing prisoner exchange are positive developments. However, both sides need to do more to implement the terms of the agreement and work towards a lasting peace in Yemen.