Is peace finally peeping over the horizon and can we dare to hope that the stench of cordite in the air will end? The Yemen conference between pro-Hadi forces and the Houthis in Switzerland is the spearhead of the several initiatives being propelled to end violence as we know it and create a bulwark against terrorism.
Indeed, failure in these talks is not even an option and a breakthrough is mandated. This is the first real glimmer of tangible hope and some agreement on an equitable closure of conflict must come into being before the weeklong expiry of the cease-fire. The main concern is that violations of the cease-fire will be detrimental to the talks and so must be honored to make the summit successful.
At the same time, the Saudi initiative to create and activate a 34-nation Islamic coalition to fight terrorism is a bold and strategic move because it sends a message out to the world that the region’s solidarity cannot be undermined and that it will, as an entity, defend itself against those whose doctrine is steeped in mindless violence. This is a major development and could be a game changer though terrorism and the war against it is not a game by any measure.
At the same time, we also hear that Moscow has responded favorably to John Kerry’s demand for a sit down palaver on Syria and a call for a combined effort to stop the destruction of a country before nothing is left to destroy.
That makes for three initiatives that are separate and yet, coming as they do at the same time, interlinked and overlapping because success in one can spur success in the others. It is time the Middle East saw a rest from conflict and also isolated the few who have espoused terrorism and choose mankind as their enemies because it does not matter who is in the firing line.
By next week there should be a breakthrough in Yemen because if these talks turn into a stalemate the momentum will be lost and it will not be easy to get the sides to the negotiating table that soon. This is why it is so important for the 24 delegates who are in discussion to leave egos aside and see the bigger picture...the survival of their nation.
As for Syria, let it not be the grass that gets trampled by two opposing giants. This impasse has to be brought to an end and a just and acceptable formula found bringing the refugees back home to their land.
While no one is deceived that terrorism has many heads and cannot be eliminated overnight the coalition is a strong and decisive move and will have positive results. When everybody is on the same page the message will have clarity and conviction.
