Yemen agreement on federalism

Parties at Yemen’s National Dialogue conference reached agreement on 23 December on creating a new federal state, and on granting the south a degree of autonomy. The agreement, which promised a “just solution” to the southern question on the basis of federalism, outlined only the principles of structuring the state, however, leaving the detail still to be resolved. “The Agreement provides for the creation of a new federal state, outlines principles that will guide its formation, and stipulates a special arrangement for Southern representation in the executive, legislative and judicial branches, as well as in the civil service,” a spokesperson for the UN secretary-general said in a statement.